This Weekend’s 3-Year-Old Races : Brian’s Time 5-2 Favorite as 10 Are Entered in Wood

Brian’s Time, winner of the Florida Derby and third in the Jim Beam Stakes in his last start, was made the 5-2 favorite Thursday when 10 horses were entered in Saturday’s $500,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, one of the last major preps for the Kentucky Derby May 7.

Cherokee Colony, winner of the Flamingo Stakes but soundly beaten in the Florida Derby, is the second choice at 3-1, followed by Seeking the Gold and Private Terms at 4-1.

Here is the field for the 1 1/8-mile race, in post-position order, with jockeys and odds:

Seeking the Gold, Randy Romero, 4-1; Ballindaggin, Ruben Hernandez, 30-1; Brian’s Time, Angel Cordero, 5-2; Tejano, Jose Santos, 6-1; Sewickley, Robbie Davis, 15-1; Private Terms, Chris Antley, 4-1; Perfect Spy, Julio Pezua, 12-1; Dynaformer, Vincent Bracciale, 6-1; Pleasant Evening, Julie Krone, 30-1, and Cherokee Colony, Jorge Velasquez, 3-1.

All of the horses will carry 126 pounds, which is also the Kentucky Derby weight, and Tejano and Dynaformer will be coupled in the betting because both are trained by Wayne Lukas. Aqueduct’s track has been fast, but there is a chance of light rain Saturday afternoon, with the temperature not expected to get above 50 degrees.

In other races for 3-year-olds Saturday, Mi Preferido is a 9-5 favorite to win the $500,000, 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in Little Rock, and Flying Victor is the 5-2 choice in the $250,000, 1 1/8-mile California Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

Mi Preferido will carry 126 pounds, the same as Notebook, and they will be opposed by seven others--Proper Reality, Rambo Phil, Primal, Sea Trek, Jetdownthefreeway, Din’s Dancer and Little Richie.

Running against Flying Victor are Gray Gardner, Bel Air Dancer, Slewbop, Ruhlmann, Please Remit, All Thee Power, Ongoing Mister and Prince Charming. Flying Victor and Ruhlmann will carry top weight of 122 pounds apiece.

Laffit Pincay, unable to ride Tejano here because of a 5-day suspension at Santa Anita, will be able to ride All Thee Power in the California Derby because of a state rule that allows suspended riders to ride in a few designated important races. Pincay will also be able to ride Swink Sunday in the San Juan Capistrano Handicap at Santa Anita.

Purdue King, who appears definite for the Kentucky Derby, will have his final tuneup today at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., running in a 10-horse field in the $75,000 Forerunner, which is 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Tanzanid is the 8-5 favorite, with Purdue King, being ridden for the first time by Kent Desormeaux, the second choice at 5-2. Word Pirate is also in the field.