A New Champion Emerges From the Wood M.

(left: Tale of Ekati, War Pass, Court Vision are first, second and third in Wood M, Right: Tale of Ekati)

War Pass was the heavy favorite for the Wood Memorial today. As if he knew that everything was on the line for him today, he was uncharicteristically nervous and jittery before the start, much like he was on Tampa Bay Derby Day. But a better gate break got him to the front and set the stage for him to run his race. The race was a chance for him to prove that his lackluster performance in the Tampa Bay Derby was in fact a fluke, and that he still is a top contender. He did that, or at least, showed that he still has many good races in him. War Pass set suicidally fast fractions on the lead throughout the race, and in his usual style, he had opened up a respectable lead at the top of the stretch. But the grueling pace, and perhaps the added distance took its toll on the Champ, and though he fought valiantly, Tale of Ekati got the best of him today--payback for the Breeder's Cup Juvenile perhaps. Take nothing away from War Pass, all things considered he ran a very good race.

Tale of Ekati, a horse that has deserved to be on the Triple Crown trail all along, finally gets some respect, and he should--he ran a fabulous race. He's the only horse that's ever chased War Pass down on the lead and defeated him--the only horse that's ever beaten War Pass on a good day. Tale of Ekati fought determinedly with War Pass throughout the stretch drive and was able to get up to win the photo. Court Vision was third, a dissappointment for him that could mean the trip to Churchill is cancelled (unless his connections have a valid excuse).

For this race, I liked:

1. War Pass

2. Court Vision

3. Texas Wildcatter

4. Tale of Ekati

5. Anak Nakal

They finished:

1. Tale of Ekati

2. War Pass

3. Court Vision

4. Giant Moon

5. Anak Nakal

Throw Texas Wildcatter (8th) in there in place of Giant Moon and I was pretty close.