Elliott sets sights a bit lower this year

A year ago, jockey Stewart Elliott was the toast of the town in Louisville, Ky., after winning the Kentucky Derby on Smarty Jones. This Derby Day, Elliott will be riding six mounts at Delaware Park, including Doctor Voodoo in the $75,000 Francis "Jock" Labelle Memorial for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.

Doctor Voodoo, trained by Jim Ryerson, will be making his first start since November. As a 2-year-old, he won the six-furlong Rockhill Native at Monmouth Park. Based on a string of bullet works at Palm Meadows and Monmouth over the last five weeks, Doctor Voodoo looks ready to run a big race off the bench.

The horse to beat is Benjamin Baby, whose owners, Philip and Marcia Cohen, also have Closing Argument in the Kentucky Derby.

Benjamin Baby, based in New York with trainer Kiaran McLaug-hlin, most recently ran fifth in the Grade 3 Bay Shore. His best two races were six-furlong sprints over Aqueduct's inner track, where he won a high-priced optional claimer and finished a close third in the Fred Capossela.

The best last-out Beyer Speed Figure belongs to Egg Head, who earned a 103 for his 11-length romp going seven furlongs at Philadelphia Park on April 26.

Shmoo jumps directly into the stakes ranks after coming from off the pace to win his career debut against maidens at Aqueduct with an 89 Beyer.