Saratoga Race Course: Woodward Stakes Analysis

by Patricia Woo | Sep 6 2010

Saratoga Race Course: Woodward Stakes Analysis
by Bodog Racebook | Sept 6 2010
The $750,000 Gr. 1 Woodward Stakes was run on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Saratoga Race Course and featured Breeders’ Cup Classic top contender Quality Road in what was likely his final prep race before the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 6.

After a surprising narrow loss to Blame in the Gr. 1 Whitney Handicap on Aug. 7 at Saratoga, Quality Road was looking to redeem that outcome in the Woodward Stakes. The 4-year-old son of Elusive Quality was sent off as the overwhelming 3-10 race favorite, and with John Velazquez aboard, settled behind Arcodoro on the outside in the 9-furlong race. The other top contenders, Mythical Power (ridden by Garrett Gomez) and Mine That Bird (ridden for the first time by Rajiv Maragh), also raced nearby. Through the turn, Quality Road shifted into a higher gear and easily overtook Arcodoro. Though Mythical Power and Tranquil Manner, who was coming five-wide into the stretch, were in hot pursuit, neither could catch the Virginia-bred Quality Road, who drew away and hit the wire 4 ¾ lengths ahead of his nearest rival. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Quality Road completed the race in 1:50.00. Mythical Power, who is trained by Bob Baffert, managed to hold onto the runner-up position, while Tranquil Manner, ridden by Alan Garcia, was half a length back in third. Convocation, Indian Dance, Arcodoro and Mine That Bird rounded out the order of finish.

Quality Road earned $450,000 for the victory, which boosted his lifetime earnings to $2,232,830 from 12 starts for owner Edward Evans. The Woodward Stakes was his eighth  career win and his fourth career grade 1 victory. He will now prepare for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs, a race that will be his biggest challenge yet: a rematch with rival Blame as well as a meeting with career-unbeaten mare Zenyatta.

In contrast, 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird continued to struggle; his last-place finish was another disappointment in a string of losses going back to that first Saturday in May 2009. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee has been training well, but a new jockey (Maragh in lieu of Calvin Borel) and the addition of blinkers did not translate into race-day success for the 4-year-old son of Birdstone. The Woodward Stakes was his eighth straight loss and his third this year.

Meanwhile, Mythical Power continued to impress with his runner-up finish. Taking on a higher class of competitors for the first time, the 4-year-old son of Congaree added $150,000 to his lifetime earnings for owner Peachtree Stable, which now total $754,540; his career record improved to 3-3-1 from 13 starts.

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