Wood Memorial boosts purse to attract top 3-year-olds

NEW YORK (AP) :

The Wood Memorial purse could increase to $1 million as part of a bonus created to entice the top three-year-olds to run in the Kentucky Derby prep on April 7.

New York Racing Association officials said last Saturday that the presence of any horse in the field with a previous Grade 1 or Group 1 victory would increase the purse from $750,000 to $1 million if the qualifying horse starts. In that case, the winner would receive $590,000, the runner-up would earn $190,000, and third would be worth $90,000.

The Wood is run at 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct. The race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep series that awards 100 points to the winner, 40 to second, 20 to third, and 10 to fourth. The top 20 horses on the leader board earn starting spots in the Derby on May 5.