Saratoga Race Course: Woodward Stakes Odds
by Patricia Woo | Aug 30 2010
Topping the list of contenders for the
$750,000 Gr. 1 Woodward Stakes on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Saratoga Racetrack is Quality Road, coming off a hard-fought loss in the Gr. 1 Whitney Handicap last out. Among those standing in the way of his fourth career grade 1 title include Mythical Power and Convocation.
Among the best older males in racing today, Quality Road is pointing towards the
Breeder's Cup Classic at Churchill Downs as a year-end goal. Before he gets there, however, he will be looking to pad his already impressive resume with another grade 1 victory: the Woodward Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, arguably his best distance. Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Edward Evans, Quality Road has just a single blemish on his 2010 record: a head loss in the
Gr. 1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga on Aug. 7. He already has three titles under his belt in 2010: the Gr. 1 Metropolitan Handicap, the Gr. 1 Donn Handicap and the Gr. 3 Hal's Hope Stakes. This 4-year-old son of Elusive Quality has looked sharp in workouts: on Aug. 29, he posted a bullet work, going 5 furlongs in 1:00.05. With blazing early speed and the ability to maintain that advantage, Quality Road should be sent off as the race favorite for the Woodward Stakes.
Seeking an upset in Saturday's race is Mythical Power, a Bob Baffert-trained 4-year-old who has also been looking sharp in workouts. A son of Congaree, Mythical Power turned in a 6-furlong workout in 1:12.58 at Saratoga on Aug. 27 in preparation for the Woodward Stakes. Last out, he had a brief stint on Del Mar's synthetic track on July 31 in the Gr. 2 San Diego Handicap in which he finished fifth – with a return to dirt, Baffert is looking for his charge to return to the form which saw him capture his second career graded stakes win: the Gr. 3 Texas Mile at Lonestar Park in April. The Woodward Stakes will be a step up in class, and with Quality Road in the lineup, Mythical Power will need a career-best to beat him.
Showing increased maturity and growth after a lukewarm 3-year-old campaign is Convocation, a 4-year-old Pulpit colt trained by Jimmy Jerkens. He kicked off this year with an allowance race victory and went on to flirt with the top spot in his next three outings; he came closest to the winner's circle in the Gr. 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park on July 3, beating highly touted I Want Revenge on his way to a runner-up finish. He was downgraded to an allowance optional claimer at Saratoga for his latest outing on Aug. 4, but the victory and the experience on the track should be beneficial come Saturday's race.
Also expected are Arcodoro, Mine That Bird, Haynesfield and Indian Dance.
Last year, filly Rachel Alexandra defeated a field of older males on her way to winning the 2009 edition of the Woodward Stakes and Horse of the Year. Who will win this year?
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