Wood Memorial highlights Aqueduct stakes program

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Ozone Park, NY (Sports Network) - The stakes schedule for the upcoming Aqueduct Racetrack's 2011 winter/spring meet has been announced with the Wood Memorial slated four weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby.

The New York Racing Association revealed Thursday that 29 stakes races will be conducted during the 80 day meet at Aqueduct. The $750,000 Wood Memorial for three-year-olds will be run on Saturday, April 9. The 1 1/8-mile Wood is a traditional prep race for the Run for the Roses.

Other stakes races for Kentucky Derby hopefuls on the schedule are the $100,000 Whirlaway on Saturday, February 5, $250,000 Gotham on Saturday, March 5, $200,000 Bay Shore on the Wood Memorial card and the $150,000 Jerome on Saturday, April 23.

Eskendereya won the 2010 Wood Memorial in dominating fashion. However, an injury prevented the colt from ever running again.

The 29 stakes races will be worth a total of $3.59 million.