Nobiz Like Shobiz wins Wood Memorial

A return to Aqueduct and the addition of blinkers helped Nobiz Like Shobiz get back to the winner’s circle in the $750,000 Wood Memorial on Saturday.

Rebounding from a hiccup as the beaten favorite in the Fountain of Youth five weeks earlier at Gulfstream Park, the 3-year-old Albert the Great colt again established himself as a Kentucky Derby contender with a hard-fought victory in the Grade I.

Trained by Barclay Tagg for owner-breeder Elizabeth Valando, the 7-10 favorite was never far off the pace from his inside post in a race where nobody really wanted the lead, put away challenges from Summer Doldrums and Any Given Saturday after taking the advantage, then held 18-1 shot Sightseeing safe in the final eighth of a mile. Ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, Nobiz Like Shobiz ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.46.

The victory was the fourth in six starts for Nobiz Like Shobiz and his second in as many starts at Aqueduct. He had won the Remsen by 6 1/2 lengths last fall in his final start of 2006.

“I thought he was more focused today,” Tagg said. “We had five weeks to work with him since his last race. He did everything properly today.”

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Unable to win the important 3-year-old races in either New York or California, trainer Todd Pletcher did get the money at Hawthorne, winning the $500,000 Illinois Derby by 2 1/4 lengths with 7-2 second choice Cowtown Cat in a time of 1:51.21 for the 1 1/8 miles.

A rapidly improving son of Distorted Humor owned by WinStar Farm, Cowtown Cat made the lead immediately under jockey Fernando Jara and was never seriously challenged en route to his fourth win in seven starts. Favored Cobalt Blue, owned by Merv Griffin and trained by Doug O’Neill, ran poorly and finished seventh, effectively ending his chances for the Kentucky Derby.

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Smokey Stover remained perfect in three starts this year with a 4 1/2 length victory over 2-1 second choice Greg’s Gold in the $192,000 Potrero Grande Breeders’ Cup Handicap on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Owned by Harry Aleo and trained by Greg Gilchrist, the 4-year-old Put It Back gelding, who was the 7-10 favorite in the Grade II, won in 1:14.83 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.

“This horse just has so much class,” jockey Aaron Gryder said. “He’s had his races spaced and he’s stepping up a notch with every race. This is a sweet horse.”

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The Wood wasn’t the only stakes win on the Aqueduct card for Velasquez. He also took the $150,000 Bay Shore, a Grade III, with Bill Place. Magna Graduate won the $200,000 Excelisor Breeders’ Cup Handicap for Pletcher. The day’s other Grade I went to the late running Silver Wagon, who was ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.

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Christmas Kid, a 9-1 shot, won the $500,000 Ashland at Keeneland a race after Carnacks Choice won the $100,000 Lafayette.

Meanwhile, at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., Ermie, the 3-1 second choice, won the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap and favored Lawyer Ron won the $500,000 Oaklawn Park Handicap.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com