Distance
1 1/8 miles
Surface
Dirt
Eligibility
3yo only
Grade
G2
Track
Aqueduct
Location
South Ozone Park, NY
When
Early April
About the race
New York's Derby prep — produced champions like Gun Bow, Damascus, Bold Ruler, and Foolish Pleasure.
Race history
First run in 1925. Run on Aqueduct's main track (the inner track in winter, main track in spring). Worth 100 Road-to-the-Derby points. Less predictive of Derby success in recent decades than Florida or California preps; some years it's the deeper prep, other years the field is thin.
Betting trends
What sharps watch for
- 01
Field quality varies year to year more than Florida or California preps — handicap based on the field, not the race's reputation.
- 02
Aqueduct's main track plays differently than Churchill; form translates inconsistently.
- 03
Multiple G2/G3 stakes winners use the Wood as a confidence builder rather than a make-or-break Derby qualifier.
Recent winners
Last 4 editions
| Year | Winner | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Resilience | — |
| 2023 | Lord Miles | — |
| 2022 | Mo Donegal | — |
| 2021 | Bourbonic | 72-1 |
Where to bet the Wood Memorial
US pari-mutuel wagering happens through licensed operators. TVG (FanDuel-owned) and TwinSpires (Churchill Downs) are the two largest dedicated US racing platforms; both ship win/place/show plus the full exotic ladder (exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double, Pick 3/4/6) at the Aqueduct meeting.
Other Derby preps
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