In the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G1), the on-track crowd of just 7,848 at cold and windy Aqueduct Racetrack saw six possible Triple Crown contenders go 9 furlongs on the main track looking to gain a spot in the Kentucky Derby field. The entrants and the spectators faced unusually cold and windy conditions with temperatures in the mid 30's all day.
Breaking from the rail under jockey Cornelio Velasquez, 3-5 favorite Nobiz Like Shobiz shot to the lead to float 44-1 longest shot Flashstorm, 8-1 Summer Doldrums and 3-2 second choice Any Given Saturday out wider on the first turn, then was taken back from the duel as the quarter went in 23.38 and the half in 47.76. Velasquez turned his mount loose on the far turn, and as Flashstorm backed out, Any Given Saturday came up to challenge the heavy favorite. However, Nobiz Like Shobiz surged ahead, putting away Summer Doldrums in mid-stretch and held off the late-running 18-1 Sightseeing to win by 1/2 a length in 1:49.46. Any Given Saturday finished 3 1/4 lengths back in third, who was 4 3/4 lengths clear of Summer Doldrums in fourth.
