Verrazano pointed to Wood Memorial for final Kentucky Derby prep

Verrazano, who ran his unbeaten record to three in the Tampa Bay Derby and remains the favorite for the May 4 Kentucky Derby, is being pointed to the Wood Memorial on April 6 at Aqueduct for his final Derby prep, trainer Todd Pletcher said Monday morning.

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

Pletcher, speaking from the 2-year-old in training sale in Ocala, Fla., said it is "90 percent certain" Verrazano would run in the Wood. His other options are the Florida Derby at Gulfstream on March 30, and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on April 13, but he described the chances of running in either of those races as "5 percent each."

"The Wood is the logical choice," Pletcher said.

Pletcher also said that Overanalyze, who was fifth in the Gotham in his 3-year-old debut, is under serious consideration for the Sunland Derby on March 24 instead of the Wood. If Overanalyze runs at Sunland, he would be able to retain regular rider John Velazquez, who rides Verrazano.

Also, Capo Bastone, whom Pletcher had been targeting for the Rebel this Saturday at Oaklawn, will wait another week and instead run in the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on March 23.