Wood Memorial 2025: Can Grande help Todd Pletcher continue Kentucky Derby streak?

• Trainer Todd Pletcher has saddled a horse in every Kentucky Derby since 2004
• Bob Baffert trainee Rodriguez is a top contender in the Wood Memorial

Todd Pletcher has saddled at least one horse in the Kentucky Derby every year since 2004, but he’s running out of time to find a qualifier in 2025.

His best chance may come in Saturday’s $750,000, Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct.

The Pletcher-trained Grande will be among the top contenders despite a light racing résumé.

A son of Curlin, Grande is 2 for 2 in his career, with both races coming at Gulfstream Park. He most recently won a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming race Feb. 27.

A $300,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Grande drew the No. 7 post position in a field of 12 for the Wood.

The Wood will offer 200 qualifying points toward the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, including 100 to the winner.

Pletcher has won the Kentucky Derby twice — 2010 with Super Saver and 2017 with Always Dreaming. He’s saddled a record 65 horses in the Derby since his first appearance in 2000.

Currently, Pletcher’s top horse on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, River Thames, ranks No. 28. River Thames is expected to run in Saturday’s Blue Grass at Keeneland.

Another top contender in the Wood will be Bob Baffert-trainee Rodriguez, who enters off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 San Felipe on March 1 at Santa Anita Park.

Captain Cook, trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., enters off a victory in the Withers on Feb. 1 at Aqueduct.

The morning line for the Wood has not yet been announced.

This story will be updated.

Wood Memorial

Post time: 6:10 p.m. Saturday at Aqueduct in South Ozone Park, New York. Purse: $750,000. Grade: 2. Distance: 1 1/8 miles. Jockey weight: 123 pounds. TV: FOX. Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 100 for first place, 50 for second place, 25 for third place, 15 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place.

PP Horse, jockey, trainer, odds TBA

1. Rodriguez, Mike Smith, Bob Baffert

2. Captain Cook, Manny Franco, Rick Dutrow Jr.

3. Tiger Twenty Four, Javier Castellano, Bill Mott

4. My Mitole, Luis Rivera Jr., Carlos Martin

5. Sand Devil, Jose Lezcano, Linda Rice

6. Hill Road, Joel Rosario, Chad Brown

7. Grande, Dylan Davis, Todd Pletcher

8. Passion Rules, Kendrick Carmouche, Brad Cox

9. Bear Claw Necklace, Romero Maragh, Saffie Joseph Jr.

10. Mcafee, Eric Cancel, Rick Dutrow Jr.

11. Statesman, Samuel Marin, Shug McGaughey

12. Omaha Omaha, Raul Mena, Michael Gorham

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

How to watch 2025 Kentucky Derby

Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032.

The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms.

You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock.

What time is the Kentucky Derby?

While not yet official, the post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby will be about 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.  

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