Santa Anita: Kristo targets Wood Memorial at Aqueduct

ARCADIA, Calif. – Kristo, third in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 8, is a candidate for the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 5 as a last-chance prep for the Kentucky Derby, trainer John Sadler said.

Kristo has 1 win in 5 starts and was second in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 11. Sadler said Kristo needs a big performance in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial over 1 1/8 miles to move toward a start at Churchill Downs.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

“We’re going to give it one more shot,” Sadler said. “We’re looking toward the Wood Memorial. We’re not off [the Derby trail] yet. Whether he’s good enough will be determined in the next start.”

Owned by Hronis Racing, Kristo closed from fifth in a field of seven to finish third in the San Felipe. California Chrome won the race over 1 1/16 miles by 7 1/4 lengths. Kristo finished 6 1/4 lengths behind runner-up Midnight Hawk.

“He didn’t run his race,” Sadler said. “We tried to take him back and make a run, and he resented it. I think he’s better than that.”

Kristo had raced on or near the lead in previous starts.