Buetane aimed at Wood Memorial after unlucky Virginia Derby

Buetane, fourth as the favorite with a troubled trip in last Saturday’s Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, is now in New York with the possibility of running in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 4, “if he works well next week,” trainer Bob Baffert wrote in a text.

Breaking from the rail under Flavien Prat in the Virginia Derby, Buetane was trapped along the inside down the backstretch. He then lost position going into the far turn. Prat was able to get him outside in upper stretch but while he was making a mild run, Ocelli cut in front of him, forcing Prat to maneuver Buetane to the inside. He finished fourth, beaten 6 1/2 lengths by Incredibolt.

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“Never got a chance to run,” Baffert said.

Buetane could be part of what is expected to be a full field for the Wood Memorial, a race that offers its top five finishers qualifying points (100-50-25-15-10) to the May 2 Kentucky Derby.

Nominations don’t close until this weekend, but horses already being mentioned for the race, alphabetically, are: Bravaro, Buetane, Civil Liberty, Courting, Creole Chrome, Express Kid, Iron Honor, Napoleon Solo, Ottinho, Taj Mahal, Talk to Me Jimmy, Red Zone Runner, and Right to Party.

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