Takeaways from 2023 Wood Memorial

Apr 11, 2023 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

An exciting stretch duel produced a massive upset in the Wood
Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct, a major qualifier in the Road to
the Kentucky Derby series, and the winner had to survive a stewards’
inquiry.

1. Lord
Miles shocker

Lord Miles courageously
outfinished 8-5 favorite Hit Show
and 3-1 second choice Dreamlike to earn
a Kentucky
Derby berth in the 1 1/8-mile Wood, returning a $120.50 win mutuel (59.25-1)
after prevailing by a nose. Only two contestants left the starting gate at longer
odds in the 12-horse field, and Paco Lopez was up for Saffie Joseph Jr. on the
Curlin colt.

His first two career starts were encouraging, a convincing
debut maiden win at six furlongs and a close third in the Mucho Macho Man S. at
Gulfstream Park on New Year’s Day, but they came at one-turn distances.
Nothing about his most recent performances, well-beaten efforts at two turns in
the Holy Bull (G3) and the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), suggested a turnaround was
imminent in the Wood.

“I learned in life to never stop taking chances,” said
Joseph, who conditions Lord Miles for owner/breeder Peter Vesgo. “If the horse
is doing good, take a chance, because each chance you don't take is a chance
you miss.”

Lord Miles flashed speed after bumping a rival at the break and
chased Arctic Arrogance in second
around the first turn. He backed off early on the backstretch, stalking a
couple of lengths behind in fourth, and came with a wide run on the far turn,
moving in tandem with Hit Show.

Dreamlike made a serious bid leaving the far turn, assuming
an inside position when the pacesetter backed out in midstretch, and Hit Show
and Lord Miles had already joined the fray in a three-horse battle to the wire.
And none maintained a straight path, as Lord Miles and Hit Show took turns
drifting into the other and Dreamlike came out to make contact with Hit Show.

Stewards ruled no change after reviewing the stretch run.

Lord Miles received a 99 Brisnet Speed rating, 10 points higher than his previous
best. He established favorable early positioning behind a moderate pace (:24.88
and :49), and his best chance would be a similar trip, if possible, in the
Kentucky Derby.

It remains an extreme challenge, and Lord Miles will be
regarded as a possible regression candidate following the surprising
career-best performance.

2. Hit Show
Derby-bound

After recording a convincing tally in the Feb. 11 Withers (G3),
Hit Show’s two-race win streak came to an end with a nose second. It marked
only the second start of 2023 for the Oaklawn December allowance victor, and
the lightly-raced colt still has upside for Brad Cox.

But the Wood effort left something to be desired, as Hit
Show became embroiled in a grueling fight with a maiden (Dreamlike) and a huge longshot,
and the regally-bred son of Candy Ride has yet to earn a triple-digit Speed
rating.

He’s Kentucky Derby-bound, increasing his point total to 54
with the runner-up finish, and it’s easy to project an off-the-pace trip for
the gray sophomore at Churchill Downs.

In his lone previous setback, a Churchill Downs allowance
last November, Hit Show came up short after rating nearly 10 lengths off the
pace. He’s raced closer in three starts since, but his lack of tactical ability
means he’ll probably be farther back in a 20-horse Kentucky Derby field. And
Hit Show will need to display a better finishing kick to make an impact.

3. Preakness
fits for Dreamlike

Late-starting Dreamlike confirmed himself as an
up-and-coming presence in the three-year-old division, missing by a short neck
in third, but he won’t have the points for the Kentucky Derby. The Todd
Pletcher-trained colt didn’t open his racing career until mid-February,
recording a pair of runner-up finishes versus maiden foes at Gulfstream Park in
his first two starts, and the Wood marked his third outing.

Dreamlike could drop down to pick up a confidence-building
win at the maiden special weight level, but the Preakness (G1) on May 20 seems
like a more viable option for the long-striding son of Gun Runner.

Speed is often effective at Pimlico, and Dreamlike possesses
the tactical ability to make his own trip.