Kentucky Derby Countdown:
29 Days Until May 3rd and the 134th Kentucky Derby
Thoroughbred Racing Playoffs Continue at Aqueduct
War Pass + Aqueduct = Kentucky Derby Contender
Three weeks removed from an inexplicable defeat, War Pass will get the chance to answer a slew of questions on Saturday in the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct.
The leader at every call in his five previous races, War Pass never reached the front in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and came up shockingly empty in finishing last as the 1-to-20 favorite.
No clear explanation surfaced, and War Pass never presented his trainer, Nick Zito, with a reason not to continue.
“For whatever reason, he just didn’t show up,” Zito said. “You want to be confident and draw a line through the Tampa race. I’m apprehensive, excited, happy—and cautious. I’m a fan, too, and I want to see a horse like War Pass run big. I always have confidence when I have War Pass.”
War Pass reassured Zito with a half-mile breeze in :47.40 on March 27 at Palm Meadows Training Center in his only workout since the Tampa Bay Derby.
“His work last week was great,” said Zito. “From what I can see, he’s going to put in a good effort.”
War Pass is one of four top two-year-olds from 2007 who go into the Wood Memorial in need of some rebuilding, with the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented Yum! Brands (G1) five weeks away.
Rest of the Story
War Pass will have to have an exceptional run on Saturday to prove to horse handicappers that he has what it takes to take home some roses at the Kentucky Derby.
A poor showing here will open the door to the possibilities of not competing in Louisville.
Finishing out of the money and then continuing on to the Kentucky Derby will undoubtedly open many long shot opportunities for quite a few horse race handicappers.
Visit Horse Race Handicapping College for more information.
