Undefeated graded stakes winners Early Voting, Morello clash in G2 Wood Memorial
At 0h49, on April 7, 2022 • By AQUEDUCT
Graded stakes winners Early Voting and Morello are both undefeated 3-year-olds who have never raced outside of Aqueduct Racetrack while boasting impressive local Kentucky Derby qualifying victories. On Saturday, the two promising colts will do battle against six other sophomores in the 97th running of the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino.
The nine-furlong test is the final local qualifier for the Grade 1, $3 million Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs, awarding a respective 100-40-20-10 points to the top-four finishers.
The Wood Memorial is one of six stakes on Saturday’s card which also features the Grade 1, $300,000 Carter Handicap presented by NYRA Bets; the Grade 3, $250,000 Gazelle offering 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points; the Grade 3, $200,00 Bay Shore; the Grade 3, $150,000 Distaff Handicap; and the $100,000 Danger’s Hour.
Unbeaten in two starts, Klaravich Stables’ Early Voting was a decisive winner of the Grade 3 Withers on February 5 at the Big A last out, earning 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
The son of 2021 leading freshman sire Gun Runner was in command throughout the nine-furlong Withers and was never in doubt in the stretch run, winning by 4 1/2 lengths for trainer Chad Brown. The victory, which followed a debut triumph going a one-turn mile on December 18, registered an 87 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He went first time around two turns and he passed the test well,” Brown said of the Withers effort. “He definitely gained experience and he appears to be training well. He prefers to be forwardly placed, so hopefully he’ll be there again.”
Jose Ortiz, who rode Tacitus to victory in the 2019 Wood Memorial, will ride Early Voting from post 3.
Morello, who has won his three starts by a combined 13 3/4 lengths, will see two turns for the first time for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
Following a six-furlong debut victory in November, Morello parlayed his runaway winning style into stakes company for the seven-furlong Jimmy Winkfield on February 6. He earned 50 points on the Derby trail when capturing the Grade 3 Gotham one month later. Morello, who boasts field-best earnings of $264,000, earned a 96 Beyer for his one-turn mile Gotham victory – the highest last out figure in the field.
Morello, currently 12th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, appears to be entering the Wood Memorial in excellent shape, having worked two bullets over the Belmont training track.
