West Level Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, and CJ Stables’ Statesman has received his final two races and steps up at school for the $750,000 Wooden Memorial Stakes (G2) April 5 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Wooden Memorial, which provides 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying factors to the highest 5 finishers, is slated as race 12 on Saturday’s 13-race card.
Educated by Corridor of Famer Shug McGaughey, Statesman enters from a pair of victories at one mile and 40 yards at Tampa Bay Downs, getting his first win in his fourth begin Jan. 17 and defeating allowance non-compulsory claiming firm final out Feb. 26. The son of Structure traveled in fifth place early underneath Samuel Marin and closed to win each efforts.
“I believed the Wooden could be an excellent place for him. I believed Aqueduct’s foremost monitor with the lengthy stretch would assist him as a result of he’s a finisher,” McGaughey stated. “He is been coaching actually good since he ran final time and I do know it’s a massive attain, however we’re able to see what occurs.”
McGaughey believes Statesman can take a step ahead off his final race, the place he was bumped firstly however recovered properly to get in place for his surge to a 1 1/4-length rating.Join BloodHorse Day by day
“He received schooled fairly good in his final race after which he was in a position to end as much as win simple,” McGaughey stated. “I feel he’s fairly skilled to that impact, and I feel his jockey will sit and wait on him and he’ll end.”
Tampa Bay Downs’ main rider Marin is slated to experience from publish 11 within the area of 12, tabbed at odds of 15-1 on David Aragona’s morning line.
“He rode him two instances. That child just isn’t removed from being a New York rider. He’s a extremely good rider. He’s method in entrance there, and I have been actually, actually impressed with a few of the rides he is given us this winter. I feel that possibly one other summer season at Monmouth Park and he’d be prepared to return to New York,” stated McGaughey.
Statesman was third in his off-the-turf one-mile debut in early August at Saratoga Race Course earlier than an off-the-board end touring two activates turf later that month there. He was fourth in November at Gulfstream Park earlier than his Tampa triumphs.
Statesman has not raced over an off monitor, however McGaughey did not specific a lot concern over the rain within the forecast.
“I’ve received no concept how he would deal with an off monitor, however I feel he in all probability ought to. I feel that might in all probability dictate possibly if there are extra horses with velocity going within the race. It’d assist him considerably,” McGaughey stated. “Like I stated, he received schooled fairly good in his final race and I do not know if the rain would trouble him or not, however I do not suppose it will.”
Picture: Coglianese Pictures/Lauren KingPure Magnificence (rail) breaks her maiden at Gulfstream Park
McGaughey additionally had Edward Hudson Jr., and Lynne Hudson’s Pure Magnificence entered within the $200,000 Gazelle Stakes (G3) Saturday. The Gazelle awards 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying factors in the direction of the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
The Malibu Moon filly was third final out in a 1 1/16-mile allowance non-compulsory claimer March 6 at Gulfstream Park following a second-out commencement going one mile Jan. 12 there.
“She’s doing good. Her final two races have been actually good,” McGaughey stated. “She was third crushed 4 lengths in a really deep race right here a month in the past, and I feel that is value taking a shot. She goes to get the gap, and we’ll simply see. I feel that she suits.”
McGaughey stated Pure Magnificence’s last-out third was encouraging—the race’s winner, Anna’s Promise , exited to run second within the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) final weekend to 5 G , who’s third on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 125 factors.
Marin will probably be aboard for the primary time from publish 7.
This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Workers.
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