Palm Meadows: Alpha has final work for Wood

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Alpha, in his final work for the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7, worked an easy half-mile in 49.17 seconds just after daylight Friday morning at the Palm Meadows training center in Florida.

With Rob Massey aboard, Alpha worked outside of Up Market, his stablemate from the barn of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Both horses got the same time, but Alpha was going easier throughout.

“He’s just galloping,” McLaughlin said of Alpha as the two came past the finish line. “I’m very happy. He’s fit and ready.”

Alpha was scheduled to fly later Friday from Florida to New York, thus completing a typical snowbird’s visit here. He arrived not long after his victory Feb. 4 in the Withers.

“Everything’s gone great,” McLaughlin said. “He’s had a great time training here, a nice series of works.”

In addition to the Withers, Alpha won the Count Fleet at Aqueduct earlier this year. Both those races were on the inner dirt course. The Wood, at 1 1/8 miles, is one lap around the main dirt track.

“Draw It, second to Awesome Feather last fall in the Gazelle, worked a half-mile in 50.60 seconds Friday for trainer Tom Albertrani as she prepares for her first start of the year.