Expert prediction
Wood Memorial Stakes Picks, Odds & Preview (Apr 4)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- When: Saturday, April 4, 2026 @ 5:34 PM ET
- Where: Aqueduct, New York
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV
The final field for the Kentucky Derby is just two weeks away from being official, with a crucial weekend of preps set for April 4. The G2 Wood Memorial Stakes headlines the card at Aqueduct on Saturday, and you can find the odds and our picks for the 2026 edition here.
Wood Memorial Stakes Odds
| Horse | Moneyline Odds |
|---|---|
| Iron Honor | +250 |
| Napoleon Solo | +450 |
| Buetane | +600 |
| Bravaro | +900 |
| Ottinho | +900 |
| Courting | +1000 |
| Red Zone Runner | +1000 |
| Other Selections | +1200 & Bigger |
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 1/8 Miles |
| Purse | $750,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | Jim Fitzsimmons (8) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Eddie Arcaro (9) |
| Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points | 100-50-25-15-10 |
ALSO SEE: Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov Picks, Odds & Preview (Apr 11)
Wood Memorial Stakes Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rodriguez | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert |
| 2024 | Resilience | John Velazquez | William Mott |
| 2023 | Lord Miles | Paco Lopez | Saffie Joseph Jr |
| 2022 | Mo Donegal | Joel Rosario | Todd Pletcher |
Race Preview
Aqueduct hosts one of its biggest races of the season this weekend, with as many as eleven winners between 1930 and 2000 winning the Wood Memorial Stakes on their way to Kentucky Derby glory.
Iron Honor is a notable runner this weekend, as the son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist bids to follow in his father’s footsteps. The Chad Brown-trained contender’s credentials are obvious, having won on all career starts, including when landing the Gotham Stakes earlier this year. The widest post is a major concern.
Another runner that will need to deal with a wide draw this weekend is Bob Baffert-trained Buetane. The three-year-old by Tiz The Law is yet to fire in three starts in stakes company, including when easily beaten by Incredibolt by six lengths in the Virginia Derby last month. Is likely to be over-bet, and is easy to overlook.
Saffie Joseph is no stranger to a shock result in this race, training the +6000 winner in 2023. Bravaro is unlikely to be as overlooked, and the application of first-time blinkers after finishing fourth in the G2 Fountain of Youth and second over course and distance in the G3 Holy Bull makes him extremely interesting.
At a bigger price, Red Zone Runner is of interest for trainer Hugo Padilla. The three-year-old by Practical Joke was a dominant winner of the City of Brotherly Love Stakes last time. This is a major step up, but remains of firm interest.
Wood Memorial Stakes Picks
Napoleon Solo is a clear danger back at Aqueduct, where he won the G1 Champagne in eye-catching fashion as a juvenile. Likely needed the run last time, and best to forgive that effort.
However, at a much bigger price, Steel is very interesting for Will Mott. He won a maiden at Gulfstream showing great finishing speed, making up a ten-length disadvantage to win by a nose. Is closely related to 2021 Derby fourth O Besos, and his credentials are too good to overlook in this wide-open contest.
Free Pick:
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