NEW YORK – Tale of Ekati caught a tiring War Pass in the final strides for a half-length victory in the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on Saturday.

The loss was the second straight for the one-time Derby favorite, but it may still be good enough to earn the 2-year-old champion a trip to Churchill Downs on May 3.

Tale of Ekati, though, is on his way after a thrilling stretch run under Edgar Prado. While War Pass tried to hold on, Tale of Ekati took the lead about six jumps from the finish and gave trainer Barclay Tagg a leading Derby contender.

“We’re ready to go on to Kentucky,” said Tagg, who won the 2003 Derby with Funny Cide. “He’s a gem, that’s for sure.”

Unlike the Tampa Bay Derby, when War Pass was restless in the gate, bumped at the start and finished last, the 3-year-old colt trained by Nick Zito broke sharply and went right to the lead.

The winning time of 1:52.35 was the slowest since 1952, when the race was extended to 1 1-8 miles.

Colonel John wins Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. – Colonel John added to his credentials as the West Coast’s top 3-year-old when he rallied late in the stretch to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.

Striding smoothly and strongly when jockey Corey Nakatani asked him to turn it on, Colonel John blew past pacesetter Coast Guard and then pulled ahead of Bob Black Jack near the wire to win by a a half-length. Coast Guard held on for third, another length behind.

El Gato Malo, sent to the post as the favorite in what was billed as a two-horse matchup with Colonel John, finished fifth.

Big upset at Hawthorne

CICERO, Ill. – Recapturetheglory pulled off an upset in the $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park, beating even-money favorite Denis of Cork, who finished fifth.

The Kentucky-bred colt covered the 1 1-8 miles in 1:49.01, and emerged as a contender for the Kentucky Derby in four weeks.

Ridden by E.T. Baird, Recapturetheglory claimed a quick lead and never relinquished it, beting Golden Spikes by four lengths to earn $300,000.

Previously unbeaten Denis of Cork fell behind quickly and never challenged. Golden Spikes closed for second while Z Humor finished third.