Nobiz Like Shobiz wins Wood Memorial at Aqueduct

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Ozone Park, NY (Sports Network) - Odds-on favorite Nobiz Like Shobiz put away his rivals down the stretch to capture Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The time for the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Derby prep was 1:49.46

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite in the six-horse field, Nobiz Like Shobiz was either on or near the lead as the group went around the first turn and into the backstretch. The bay colt was running second to Summer Doldrums as the field went up the backstretch.

Heading into the far turn Nobiz Like Shobiz was joined on the lead by his main rival, Any Given Saturday. The two colts were even at the top of the stretch and appeared ready for a tight battle.

With about a furlong to run Any Given Saturday began to tire as Sightseeing passed him to challenge the leader. Nobiz Like Shobiz, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, dug in and won the race by a half-length.

Sightseeing was followed by Any Given Saturday, Summer Doldrums, Reptilian Smarts and Flashstorm. Cowtown Cat, a stablemate of Any Given Saturday, was scratched from the Wood to run in the Illinois Derby.

The victory by Nobiz Like Shobiz made up for his disappointing third-place finish in the Fountain of Youth Stakes as the favorite. Saturday's win was worth $450,000 to bring the three-year-old's career earnings to more than $800,000. He has won four of six lifetime starts.

Nobiz Like Shobiz is trained by Barclay Tagg for Elizabeth Valando. Tagg trains 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide.

The year began with Nobiz Like Shobiz winning the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. As a two-year-old he won the Remsen Stakes after finishing second in the Champagne Stakes.

Nobiz Like Shobiz returned $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10. Sightseeing paid $7.20 and $3.20. Any Given Saturday paid $2.10 to show.

Fusaichi Pegasus, in 2000, was the last winner of the Wood Memorial to go on and capture the Kentucky Derby.