Trainer Steve Asmussen can improve on his already strong hand for the Kentucky Derby when he sends out the favored Morello in the 2022 Wood Memorial on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. With an impressive victory in the Wood, Morello can join Epicenter as a contender for the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 7. Morello is the 8-5 favorite in the 2022 Wood Memorial odds. Two horses are right behind him at 5-2: The Todd Pletcher-trained Mo Donegal and the Chad Brown-trained Early Voting. Post time for the Wood Memorial 2022 is 4:45 p.m. ET. 

With very little separating the top three choices on Saturday, you'll want to hear what Louisville-based racing guru Jody Demling has to say before making any 2022 Wood Memorial picks.

A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling enters the Wood Memorial after hitting the exacta in the Gotham Stakes last month. Last year he hit the exacta ($75), trifecta ($21.70) and superfecta ($30.35) in the Belmont Stakes. And two years ago, he had a hot five-race stretch in which he correctly selected the winner of the Saudi Cup, Gotham Stakes, Rebel Stakes, Louisiana Derby and Florida Derby.

For the 2022 Wood Memorial, we can tell you Demling likes Barese, even though he's an 8-1 long shot! "He looks to have some talent and, if he can get the distance, will be right there," Demling told SportsLine. Demling will include Barese prominently in his 2022 Wood Memorial picks.

Demling's top pick is a horse who could be "one of the top picks for the Derby." Demling also is high on a double-digit long shot who could surprise with "a good jump turning for home." Demling is including these horses in his exactas, trifectas and superfectas, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks before locking in any of your own.

Who wins the 2022 Wood Memorial? And which double-digit long shot could help lead to a HUGE payday? ... Join SportsLine right now to get Jody Demling's Wood Memorial winner, see which long shot to back and get the finish position for every horse, all from the expert who hit the winners of five straight races!