Wood Island captures Skidmore in turf debut
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Wood Island won his debut on July 31, trainer George Weaver almost didn’t run him. The race was scheduled for the turf, but due to rains earlier in the week, it was moved to the dirt.
“Originally, I was like, 'I’m not running. this horse is so much better on the grass. I don’t want to run him,' ” Weaver said. “I only did it because I knew he was quick and the race looked a little weak on paper, so I’ll take a shot. He showed what he is on the weeds today. He’s very good.”
Very good, indeed.
Opening up two lengths on the field soon after the start under Flavien Prat, Wood Island cruised around the track uncontested and came home a 2 3/4-length winner of Thursday’s $200,000 Skidmore Stakes for 2-year-old males at Saratoga. Titan Ready, among those who chased Wood Island, was able to get second by 2 1/2 lengths over favored River of Deceit.
For Weaver, it was the 15th non-graded turf sprint stakes victory over the last three years.
“I promise you I’m not making them turf sprinters, but if they happen to be one, we’ve been lucky with them,” Weaver said.
Last year, Weaver was lucky enough win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with the 2-year-old filly Cy Fair. Weaver hopes to get back to that race this fall at Keeneland with Wood Island and may try to use the same prep he did with Cy Fair last year, the Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine on Oct. 3.
On Thursday, Wood Island won the Skidmore with similar speed as Cy Fair possesses. Breaking from the outside post under Prat, Wood Island quickly assumed command through an opening quarter-mile in 22.19 seconds. He got away with a second quarter in 22.97 seconds, and when he switched to his right lead in the stretch, he powered home an easy winner.
"I drew outside. I wanted to break with some commitment,” Prat said. “In two jumps, I was in front by about two, so I was very impressed by the speed, yeah. From there, he took a nice breather. He was going at it a little bit going into the turn, but then we get to the turn and he switched off nicely and took a nice breather and then he responded well when I asked him to go.”
Wood Island became the first stakes winner for the sire Jackie’s Warrior, the champion male sprinter of 2021. He is owned by Jack Anderson’s Smart Choice Stable. Wood Island covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.36 and returned $6.74 as the second choice.
“Even when Irad rode him on the dirt, you could see when you need to ask for acceleration, he gives you a good burst,” Weaver said. “He’s a very classy horse to be around. I’m very happy for the connections. I’ve known Jack Anderson for a long time and it’s fun to have a good one for him.”
In addition to the Algonquin, a Grade 3, $250,000 race, Weaver’s options for Wood Island include the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodford at Keeneland and Grade 3, $200,000 Futurity at Belmont. All three races are scheduled for Oct. 3.
