KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACES : Talkin Man Says It All in the Wood

Anyone wondering who the favorite will be in the Kentucky Derby might have gotten their answer Saturday.

Talkin Man, the 2-year-old champion in Canada last year, could have that dubious honor after rolling to an expected easy victory in the $500,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

Being the favorite hasn’t been the ticket to success at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Spectacular Bid was the last favorite to win, in 1979.

Ridden by Shane Sellers, Talkin Man took the lead shortly after the start, then cantered home nearly eight lengths in front of Knockadoon in 1:49 1/5 for the 1 1/8 miles.

“It does look pretty good for me in the Derby,” trainer Roger Attfield said after Talkin Man’s fifth victory in eight starts. “He dominated from the start.”

“I couldn’t be happier. He’s had two races now. He’s fresh and confident, and if he stays healthy, well . . . “

A big winner in the Gotham Stakes in his 1995 debut, the son of With Approval will fly to Keeneland today, then will be shipped to Churchill Downs about 10 days before the Derby, according to Attfield.

“I’m lost for words,” said Sellers, who sat in for Mike Smith on Saturday. “It was so easy of a race it was pathetic. He was so relaxed. I let him run the last quarter and just hand-rode him home.”

Knockadoon, which went off at 8-1, was 6 1/2 lengths better than 28-1 outsider Is Sveikatas. Key Guy, who had won his last two starts in California and Kentucky, was sixth as the 4-1 second choice.

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Fine N’ Majestic found a turf course softened by rain to his liking, winning the $200,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

A winner of one of his first eight starts, the 3-year-old Majestic Light colt and 4-1 choice found room to rally at the head of the stretch under Eddie Delahoussaye and overhauled Mr Purple. The time for the 1 1/16 miles on turf was 1:42 4/5.

Second behind Bee El Tee in the Pirate’s Cove at Santa Anita a month earlier in his first try on turf, Fine N’ Majestic had trained well in the interim for Bill Shoemaker.

Mr Purple, who was making his turf debut, finished ahead of longshot Alletasso. Bee El Tee, the lukewarm favorite, finished next to last in the field of 12.