Horse Racing: Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby Top Weekend Slate

As Sports Interaction continues the countdown to the Kentucky Derby, Al Dannity looks ahead to two huge races this weekend. We’re going coast to coast with the Wood Memorial in New York and the Santa Anita Derby in California.

Literary ties
Hunter S. Thompson’s exploits reporting on the Kentucky Derby marked the birth of Gonzo Journalism. What’s lesser known about the former Rolling Stone reporter is that he wrote much of his seminal work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, close to another high profile race track. Thompson penned most of his classic in a motel in Arcadia, right across from the Santa Anita race track.

Whether such historical ties will help any of the runners this weekend later in the season is a mystery. The most notable entry for the Santa Anita Derby is Comma to the Top. With $578,600 in career earnings, Comma to the Top has won nearly twice as much money as any of the other 10 scheduled runners in Saturday’s $1 million race. The gelded son of Bwana Charlie has won six races and is one of only two horses in the race, along with Jaycito, to have won a Grade 1 race. Despite being tipped to do well on Saturday, don’t expect to see Comma to the Top heading to Churchill Downs this year. Its owners have strictly stated that the horse won’t be taking part in the Kentucky Derby.

Uncle Mo ready to go
There are no prizes for guessing which horse will be the one to watch at the Aqueduct on Saturday. Uncle Mo is back in New York and with an eye on extending its unbeaten record before heading off to the Kentucky Derby. The horse, which is among the chief contenders for the Run for the Roses contender is the overwhelming favorite in a 10 horse field entered for Saturday’s $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

Uncle Mo is the son of Indian Charlie and has winnings from its four lifetime starts of $1,336,000. Uncle Mo is currently the favorite for the Kentucky Derby but failure to live up to top billing at the Aqueduct on Saturday would see Dialed In, winner of the Florida Derby, shoot ahead in the eyes of Horse Racing betting fans. With the first race of the Triple Crown fast approaching, all eyes will be on these final few big races to see which contenders have the potential to take the honors at Churchill Downs.

For the best Horce Racing betting check out Sports Interaction’s online sportsbook.