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After watching leading Triple Crown contenders falter over the last two weekends the spotlight now turns to New York as current Kentucky Derby favorite Eskendereya headlines the probable field for the $750,000 G1-Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Run at 1 1/8 miles over the main track, a field of seven is expected, and it looks to be one of the deepest and most talented fields we have seen in the buildup to the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

The Wood has always been regarded as one of the premier routes to the Derby. Eleven winners of the Wood have captured the Run for the Roes and four of those horses joined racing immortality by eventually winning the Triple Crown.

Eskendereya, a dominating winner of the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park in his last race, passed on the Florida Derby two weeks ago in favor of this spot.

While there was much speculation from the racing media that Eskendereya was scratched in Florida to allow the connections more time to sell part of the horse, those rumors have gone quiet over the last week and the son of Giant's Causeway is expected to head to the post for owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Todd Pletcher.

Eskendereya, a winner of three of five career starts, is undefeated over conventional dirt. Although he looks like a horse that could possibly need the lead when reviewing his part performances, his connections are confident that he can sit a comfortable trip from a stalking position.

One interesting sidebar for Eskenderaya is his lack of graded earnings. The colt currently sits in 24th position by graded earnings and he could very well be excluded from the Derby if he finishes off the board in this spot.

Another leading contender is Awesome Act, an English import that won his 2010 debut in impressive fashion, capturing the G3-Gotham Stakes by 1 ½ lengths.

Awesome Act began his career on turf in England, but his pedigree is slated towards dirt, being a son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again from a Mr. Prospector mare.

This colt has been based in New York with one of trainer Jeremy Nosada’s assistants since his victory on March 6 over the inner-track.

Jackson Bend could be the third-choice in the wagering. This colt was purchased by trainer Nick Zito and owner Robert LaPenta after he won five consecutive races at Calder Race Course to end his juvenile season.

While the son of Hear No Evil has finished second in the G3-Holy Bull Stakes and G2-Fountain of Youth Stakes this year, he is a rather small and unassuming horse that might not be able to handle the rigors of a tough race here in the Wood or eventually in the Kentucky Derby.

The field is expected to be completed by Carnivore, Schoolyard Dreams, Turf Melody, and possibly First Dude.

The Wood Memorial can be seen from 5-6PM EST on NBC.

SELECTIONS: ESKENDEREYA, AWESOME ACT, SCHOOLYARD DREAMS