'Ekati' shines in Wood

By From Staff And Wire Reports  |  April 6, 2008

At least War Pass delivered a performance worthy of a shot at the Kentucky Derby.

Tale of Ekati caught a tiring War Pass in the final strides for a half-length victory in the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct yesterday.

The loss was the second straight for the one-time Derby favorite, but it may still be good enough to earn the 2-year-old champion a trip to Churchill Downs May 3.

Tale of Ekati, though, is on his way after a thrilling stretch run under Edgar Prado. While War Pass tried to hold on, Tale of Ekati took the lead about six jumps from the finish and gave trainer Barclay Tagg a leading Derby contender. "We're ready to go on to Kentucky," said Tagg, who won the 2003 Derby with Funny Cide. "He's a gem."

Santa Anita Derby - Colonel John added to his résumé as the West Coast's top 3-year-old when he rallied in the stretch to win. Colonel John, ridden by Corey Nakatani, blew by Coast Guard and then pulled ahead of Bob Black Jack near the wire to win by a half-length. El Gato Malo, sent to the post as the favorite, was fifth.

Illinois Derby - Recapturetheglory overcame 15-to-1 odds to beat heavily favored Denis of Cork and easily outdistance a seven-horse field at the $500,000 race at Hawthorne.