Derby News

NEW YORK (April 8, 2006) - Three-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert got his ticket punched for Louisville again as Bob and John ran down favored Keyed Entry in the stretch and pulled clear to win the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G1) in the slop.

"This is exciting," said Baffert, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2002 with War Emblem, and who also saddled Real Quiet to victory in 1998 and Silver Charm to win in 1997. "This is a very nice horse, and a very young horse - he's a May 17 foal. He changes every month (because he's young). When you have a horse that's that good and that well-bred, it can only get better."

Ridden for the first time by Garrett Gomez, the son of Seeking the Gold broke alertly and then was content to sit third behind early fractions of 23.10, 46.26 and 1:11.01 set by Keyed Entry. Moving up on the turn, Bob and John collared Keyed Entry in the stretch and surged past the favorite 100 yards from the wire, finishing the 1 1/8th miles in 1:51.54 for his third victory in four starts this year.

"I think a mile and a quarter will be right up his alley," said Gomez. "He's a big, long-striding colt. He's a grinder. I was very impressed with the way he handled everything."

"This was a good test," added Baffert, whose other Derby contender, Point Determined, later finished second behind Brother Derek in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). "Keyed Entry is a bulldog. He didn't let us by too easy."

Jazil, under Fernando Jara, closed like a shot from last to gain second, 1 ½ lengths back, while Keyed Entry finished third. Completing the order of finish were Scanlon's Song, Platinum Couple, Deputy Glitters, Greeley's Legacy, Niagara Causeway and Marco's Tale.

"It's disconcerting he didn't win," said trainer Todd Pletcher of Keyed Entry, the Hutcheson Stakes (G2) winner who finished second to Like Now in the Gotham (G3) three weeks ago. "I thought he dug in and tried hard. Originally, I thought the sloppy track was a blessing, but I don't know if that's the case, considering they went the final eighth in :14. It looked like they were all laboring."

Pletcher said he was not about to make any decisions about Keyed Entry's Derby status just yet, but Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of the runner-up, said he was definitely heading to Kentucky after his performance in the Wood, which has produced three of the last six Derby winners including Funny Cide (2003), Monarchos (2001), and Fusaichi Pegasus (2000).

"It looks like he will like a mile and a quarter and we are sure looking forward to the opportunity," said McLaughlin. "We're very happy with the way he ran. He always comes running late. So we were happy that he showed that kind of run today, especially against this caliber of horse."

Bob and John, named after Stonerside Stable owner Bob McNair and stable manager John Adger, had opened his 3-year-old campaign with back-to-back victories in an allowance and the Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita before finishing third to A.P. Warrior in the San Felipe (G3).

Bob and John, who earned $450,000 for his fourth victory in nine starts, returned $6.40, $4.50 and $2.70, while Jazil paid $12.20 and $4.80. Keyed Entry, ridden by Edgar Prado, paid $2.10 for show.

"I brought him to New York because of his style," said Baffert, who earlier saddled Too Much Bling to victory in the Bay Shore Stakes (G3). "He needs a bigger track. Last time he wiped out and didn't get a chance to run. At Santa Anita, speed horse can carry it further. Just goes to show you there is so much speed in California, it's like a vacation when you get away from there."

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