Gemologist wins by a neck

Gemologist enhanced his growing credentials as one of the favourites for next month’s Kentucky Derby when he won the $1-million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York on Saturday.

Ridden by Javier Castellano, Gemologist held off the fast-finishing Alpha to win by a neck and assure himself of a place in the big three-year-old classic at Churchill Downs on May 5.

Meanwhile, at Arcadia, Calif., I’ll Have Another edged 9-10 favourite Creative Cause by a nose in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, returning from a two-month layoff to make himself one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby.