A few late-developing colts who relished the 1 1/8 mile distance dominated the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct racetrack on April 4, gaining a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on the first Saturday in May.
Pin Oak Stud’s ALBUS (Yaupon) just broke his maiden at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 27 over five rivals, but was sent north in the last week by the owners and trainer Riley Mott to try for Derby points in the last Wood Memorial to be held at Aqueduct. Meeting a large field including Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Iron Honor, Albus split colts in a frantic finish to the Wood and, under jockey Jaime Torres, powered to a 1 1/4 length win at 11-to-1. Closers Right to Party at 38-to-1 and Ocelli, 28-to-1, completed the top three.
Trainer Riley Mott now has two potential entrants for Pin Oak Stud in anticipation of his first Kentucky Derby experience as head trainer, as Albus joins Virginia Derby-winner Incredibolt on the list of potential starters.
“Never would I have thought going into this year that would be happening, but we still have a long ways to go and I just hope both colts stay happy and healthy and that we can put them in the gate that day,” Mott said. “This horse [Albus] will go right to Churchill and is scheduled to leave on Monday. It’s fun to take him there and be qualified for the Derby and not just be a bystander and watch. We’re thrilled and we’ll let the good times roll.”
The Wood offered 100-50-25-15-10 in Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-five finishers for the “Run for the Roses” on May 2 at Churchill Downs, saw Albus, move into the top 10 Derby hopefuls by points while Right to Party also got a spot on the list.
The Wood was not the smoothest race for some colts, as there was quite a bit of bumping into the first turn. Iron Honor had his hind end pushed out twice in what would be a rough journey for the previously unbeaten Nyquist colt. The pace was set by Champagne Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo, who went sold fractions of 22.92, 47.30 and 1:12.04 with Withers Stakes winner Talk to Me Jimmy in hot pursuit. Albus was some nine lengths behind, along the inside as Torres bided his time.
“The first turn, I was far back. I was farther back than I wanted to be,” Torres said. “I got kicked out of the race, but in the backside, he gave me a good feeling. I asked him to jump on the bit and he did really good. I knew we were going to catch them at the end. I stayed calm. By the three-eighths pole, I thought I’d win the race.
“I didn’t want to be that far from the speed,” Torres added. “I knew the pace was going to be pretty solid, so I wasn’t that scared at the back.”
Trainer Mott, son of Bill Mott, one of the world’s all-time top trainers, who also has Virginia Derby winner Incredicolt, also owned by Pin Oak, as a Derby starter, was pleased with the early journey.
“I was really happy down the backside with our position,” Mott said. “Jaime was comfortable, got into a nice rhythm. They went pretty quick the first quarter, but slowed it down a bit, 47 and change. Jaime said when he asked him, he felt like the horse really had a lot of power underneath him. Jaime said at the quarter pole, he knew if the horse went through the hole, he’d probably win. At the eighth pole, when he made the lead, the horse tried to idle a little bit, sort of waiting on horses and being a little bit immature, which he is still – it’s his fourth career start. It was great to see him finish it off like that.”
Albus, who was fourth in a seven furlong race at Keeneland to begin his career and third in a Churchill Downs allowance race, stopped the clock in 1:51.71, which was slower than the filly Always a Runner ran in the Gazelle Stakes (1:50.97) a race earlier.
Purchased at the Keeneland September yearling sale for $320,000, Albus was bred by Susan Casner. He is from the first crop of the Uncle Mo stallion Yaupon, who had a sizzling first year with his runners in 2025. A Grade 1 winning sprinter, Yaupon has sired 10 stakes winners and Albus is his first graded winner.
The dam of Albus is Adream by Bernardini. Adream was unplaced in three races, but she is a half-sister to Prioress Stakes (G1) winner Dream Rush, a very good sprinter/miler. Albus’ dam traces back to 1984 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) winner Reine Mathilde. Adream has produced five other named foals including Allaire du Pont Distaff (G3) winner Song of Spring, the mare’s only other winner.
Wood Memorial runner-up Right to Party, by Constitution, could be nominated to the Triple Crown and make the trip to the Derby, according to trainer Ken McPeek.
“I felt like I had a really good trip, saved all the ground both turns,” said Right to Party jockey Christopher Elliott. “I saw some horses fading in front of me, so I had to get him out and he ran a really good race. The seven [Albus] got the jump on me, but I’m excited for this horse’s future. Think the more distance, the better. I think the farther he goes, the better he will get.”
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