Yaupon’s Albus squarely in Derby picture after Wood Memorial (G2) victory

Albus secured himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) starting gate after his come-from behind victory in Saturday’s $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2), which was run for the final time at Aqueduct.

The 3-year-old Yaupon colt earned his first 100 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series, tying him for seventh. The top 20 point-getters will start in the Derby.

Albus had broken his maiden by seven lengths on Feb. 26 at Tampa Bay Downs, his most recent start before the Wood. The $320,000 Keeneland September grad was well off the early pace set by Grade 1 Champagne S. winner Napoleon Solo, who led the field through an opening quarter-mile in 22.92 seconds, the half in 47.30 and three-quarters in 1:12.04 before an onslaught of closers changed the complexion of the race at the top of the stretch.

Albus, who was about 10 lengths from the lead midway on the backstretch, started his run for the lead going into the final turn. Going between horses, Albus was in fifth and four lengths from the front turning for home. He split horses again with a furlong to go to emerge with the lead, then held off the late charge of Right to Party to win by 1 ¼-lengths.

“The first turn, I was far back. I was farther back than I wanted to be,” jockey Jaime Torres said. “I got kicked out of the race, but in the backside, he gave me a good feeling. I asked him to jump on the bit and he did really good. I knew we were going to catch them at the end. I stayed calm. By the three-eighths pole, I thought I’d win the race.”

Owned by Pin Oak Stud and trained by Riley Mott, Albus is 2-0-1 in four starts and has earned $436,288. The dark bay colt was bred by Susan Casner and is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Song of Spring.

Yaupon, who has five stakes winners this year, was also responsible for Evening Jewel S. winner Mohaven on Saturday, who took the 6 ½-furlong race by five lengths at Santa Anita Park.