Wood Memorial Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Apr 4)

One of the final races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is set for Apr 4, as Aqueduct hosts the G2 Wood Memorial Stakes. A competitive field of 13 will be involved in Queens this weekend, and you can find the latest odds and our picks here.

Odds

Wood Memorial Stakes Recent Winners

Wood Memorial Stakes: Event Information

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Race Preview

The final field for the 2026 Kentucky Derby is almost set, with one of the final preps being staged at Aqueduct this weekend. The G2 Wood Memorial produced eleven winners of the opening leg of the Triple Crown before 2000, but since the turn of the millennium, no winner of the prep has followed up at Churchill Downs.

Chad Brown-trained Iron Honor is a deserving favorite this weekend. The three-year-old colt by Nyquist made a positive impression on stakes debut at the end of last month when beating Crown The Buckeye by a length in the G3 Gotham. Bred to excel over further.

Napoleon Solo is an interesting contender for the Chad Summer yard. The son of Liam’s Map won impressively on two starts as a juvenile last year, before disappointing on return last month when fifth and 12 lengths behind Commandment in the G2 Fountain of Youth. Should be primed for a better effort.

Bob Baffert’s chances are hanging on Buetane this weekend. The three-year-old by Tiz The Law has disappointed on all three starts in stakes company, including last time out when only fourth and six lengths behind Incredibolt in the Virginia Derby. Has plenty to find.

Chad Brown also saddles Ottinho this weekend, who is on a recovery mission after finishing just third in the Withers Stakes. Bravaro rounds off the leading contenders, but is yet to win in stakes company after finishing second in the G3 Holy Bull and fourth in the G2 Fountain of Youth.

Wood Memorial Stakes Picks

I’d be prepared to forgive Napoleon Solo for his disappointing return to action in the Fountain of Youth last month. Prior to that run, he had won impressively on two starts, including when landing the G1 Champagne. Likely needed that return effort to build fitness, and is hard to dismiss now up to speed.