It’s an Older Crowd for Carter

Although the Wood Memorial will get the most attention, the Kentucky Derby prep isn’t even the best race on the card today at Aqueduct.

That honor belongs to the $350,000 Carter Handicap, a Grade I at seven furlongs, which attracted a talented field of 10 older horses.

The favorite in the Carter is Strong Hope. A 4-year-old Grand Slam colt trained by Todd Pletcher, he has won six of eight starts.

Other contenders include Pico Central, Eye Of The Tiger, Badge Of Silver and Well Fancied.

Race of the day: Fog City Willy, an 8-year-old gelding who has 16 lifetime wins, returns to this area in search of his second victory at Santa Anita in today’s fifth, a $10,000 claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs. The race is the second race in the Magna Pick Five and the first leg of a pick six with a carry-over of $145,199.

One for the road: Soaring Free, last seen finishing fifth after being part of a hot pace in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Oct. 25, cuts back to a sprint in today’s $100,000 Shakertown, a Grade III at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf, at Keeneland.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using M.P. Cat in the third, Commercant Vic and Fade To Blue in the fourth and J.T.’s Song, Fog City Willy, Bingo Card and Margeds Dandy in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/229. Money: Previous day/meet total: $8.60/$1,218.40. Total money bet: $1,324.