The Big Beast, Dads Caps work for Carter

Two horses pointing to the Grade 1 Carter and two 3-year-olds pointing to the Grade 3 Bay Shore on next weekend's Wood Memorial card turned in their final prerace works Saturday in New York.

The two favorites for the Grade 1 Wood, Daredevil and El Kabeir, are expected to work Sunday at Belmont Park.

The Big Beast and Dads Caps, who could be the top two choices in the seven-furlong, $400,000 Carter, worked five furlongs over the inner track Saturday.

The Big Beast was timed in 1:00 by track clockers. Trainer Tony Dutrow said he caught him in the same time, with a six-furlong gallop-out in 1:13.20.

Although the inner track was muddy Friday, Dutrow said the track was "excellent" Saturday morning. The track was listed as “fast” for the races Saturday.

"It had dried out and wasn't wet when we worked," Dutrow said.

The Big Beast is coming off a March 1 allowance victory at Oaklawn Park. That was his first start since winning the Grade 1 King's Bishop at Saratoga last August.

Dutrow was pleased with Saturday's work, which was the fastest of four at the distance Saturday at Aqueduct.

"He went off the first eighth a little quick, but the rider had him," Dutrow said. "It was a pretty matter-of-fact work. He's had one other work since his race at Oaklawn, and he went pretty much the same way. I couldn't be happier with him."

Dads Cap worked five furlongs in 1:01.25 on Saturday. Trained by Rudy Rodriguez, Dads Caps is coming off a second-place finish to Salutos Amigos in the Grade 3 Tom Fool on March 7.

Others expected for the Carter include Clearly Now and General George Handicap winner Misconnect. Wild Dude, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, is a possibility for the race.

El Deal, who is undefeated in three starts for trainer Andrew Lakeman, worked a half-mile in 48.67 seconds at Belmont Park on Saturday for the $300,000 Bay Shore, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds.

Jimmy Winkfield Stakes winner Ackeret also worked for the Bay Shore. He was timed in 49.60 at Aqueduct. Ackeret is trained by Rodriguez.

The Bay Shore is also expected to include Lord Nelson, who is trained by Bob Baffert, Majestic Affair, and possibly Papa Upa.

As of Saturday, the $1 million Wood has five probable starters, with four others possible. The expected starters are Daredevil, El Kabeir, Far From Over, Frosted, and Tencendur. The possible runners include either Classy Class or Ocean Knight for Kiaran McLaughlin, Toasting Master, and Unrivaled.

The fourth stakes on Wood Day is the Grade 2, $300,000 Gazelle, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies. The probable starters include Condo Commando, Money'soncharlotte, Noble and a Beauty, and Wonder Gal. Jacaranda is a possibility.