Meet the Contenders: 2026 Wood Memorial Stakes
Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)
April 1st, 2026
Meet the horses running in the 2026 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
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Napoleon Solo wins the Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#1 Napoleon Solo ****
Trainer: Chad Summers
Pro: Champagne (G1) score still stands out as one of the best in this field.
Con: Flopped in Fountain of Youth (G2); two-turn prowess still a question.
Talk to Me Jimmy wins the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#2 Talk to Me Jimmy ****
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Pro: Stole Withers S. impressively and well-drawn to get a similar trip.
Con: This field is considerably stronger in depth and numbers.
Right to Party (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#3 Right to Party **
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Pro: Modest third in Gotham (G3) after slow start; additional distance should help.
Con: Has quite a bit of ground to make up on Iron Honor.
Kentucky Derby 152 logo
#4 Steel **
Trainer: Bill Mott
Pro: Overcame a 10-length deficit to earn surprise debut win.
Con: Remains with a notable ceiling, but tough spot to face winners first time.
Kentucky Derby 152 logo
#5 Ocelli *
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Pro: Ran okay versus Blue Grass (G1) contender Reagan’s Honor three back.
Con: Five-start maiden never factored in two prior Derby preps.
Monorinconvience wins the Funny Cide at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#6 Minorinconvenience **
Trainer: Amelia Green
Pro: Stakes winner last summer; good showing last time off long layoff.
Con: Form versus NY-breds might not translate as well in open company.
#7 Albus **
Trainer: Riley Mott
Pro: Won easily versus Tampa maidens, and speed figure not bad.
Con: Sire is known more for getting sprinters, rather than nine-furlong types.
Courting breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)
#8 Courting ****
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pro: Expensive blue blood remains with potential for top barn.
Con: Didn’t take any noticeable step forward in Risen Star (G2).
Bravaro wins at Belmont at the Big A. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#9 Bravaro ***
Trainer: Saffie Joseph
Pro: Returns to the surface he likes and blinkers might help.
Con: Didn’t make much noise at this level in Florida; has beaten only NY-breds.
Red Zone Runner wins at Parx Racecourse. (Photo by EQUI-PHOTO)
#10 Red Zone Runner **
Trainer: Hugo Padilla
Pro: Consistent performer crushed Parx stakes foes by more than 15 lengths.
Con: Only 1-for-3 in open company, and this is a significant class hike.
Ottinho breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#11 Ottinho SCRATCHED
Buetane rolled on debut at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photos)
#12 Buetane ***
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pro: Three times graded placed and didn’t get a good trip in the Virginia Derby.
Con: Hasn’t really threatened to win since debut and might be a one-turn type.
IRON HONOR is the 6/5 ML favorite in the G3 Gotham this weekend at Aqueduct on the Road to the @KentuckyDerby! 🌹
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 25, 2026
He was a debut winner for the Chad Brown barn and has the pedigree for more distance! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/BOknufTYmx
Iron Honor wins the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Joe Labozzetta)
#13 Iron Honor *****
Trainer: Chad Brown
Pro: Arguably the most talented and swiftest entry off the Gotham score.
Con: Wide draw a negative as he likes to show positional speed.
