2015 Woodward Stakes

[horses4courses]

Saturday's Woodward field is interesting, but short of spectacular.

All entries listed here:
https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/entries/20150905/#race10

RACE 10 5:47 PM
STAKES Woodward S.
Purse $600,000 FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. By subscription of $600 each which should accompany the nomination; $3,000 to pass the entry box and an additional $3,000 to start. For horses not originally nominated, a supplemental fee of $6,000 along with the entry andstarting fees may be made at any time prior to the closing of entries. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally amongst the remaining finishers. Weights: Three-year-olds, 120lbs.; older, 124 lbs. Non-winners of two Grade I races at a mile or over in 2014-15 allowed 2 lbs.; of such a race in 2014-15 allowed 4 lbs.; of $60,000 at a mile or over in 2015 allowed 6 lbs. The estate of Mrs. William Woodward, Sr. to add the WoodwardChallenge Cup, to be won three times, not necessarily consecutively, by the same owner before becoming his or her property. The owner of the winner will also receive a trophy for permanent possession and trophies will be presented to the winning trainerand jockey. Closed Saturday August 22, 2015 with 27 Nominations.1 1/8 Miles (Dirt)

PP
1 Wicked Strong (KY) 4/C L L Saez 122 J A. Jerkens
2 Liam's Map (KY) 4/C L J Castellano 118 T A. Pletcher
3 Commanding Curve (KY) 4/R L S Bridgmohan 118 D Stewart
4 Bay of Plenty (KY) 4/C L J Rosario 120 K P. McLaughlin
5 Mylute (KY) 5/H L I Ortiz, Jr. 118 T A. Pletcher
6 Coach Inge (KY) 4/G L J R. Velazquez 120 T A. Pletcher
7 Effinex (NY) 4/C L J Alvarado 120 J A. Jerkens
8 Protonico (KY) 4/C L J L. Ortiz 120 T A. Pletcher

Owners: 1 - Centennial Farms; 2 - Teresa Viola Racing Stables; 3 - West Point Thoroughbreds; 4 - Godolphin Racing LLC; 5 - GoldMark Farm, LLC and Whisper Hill Farm; 6 - Repole Stable; 7 - Tri-Bone Stables; 8 - Sumaya U.S. Stable
Breeders: 1 - William F. Lynn; 2 - Albaugh Family Stable LLC; 3 - T. F. VanMeter; 4 - Darley; 5 - Mike G. Rutherford; 6 - Paul Pompa Jr.; 7 - Dr. Russell S. Cohen; 8 - International Equities Holding, Inc.

[Tom]

Beyer 105.

Beat the rush.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by horses4courses

Saturday's Woodward field is interesting, but short of spectacular.

All entries listed here:
https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/entries/20150905/#race10

Mylute....getting 6lbs....Which means has hasn't diddly in two years..
So why is this horse in a Grade 1?
Channeling my inner Ed Rooney...."Something's going on here G** Dammit"
Or am I reading the allowances incorrectly?

[arw629]

Liam's Map to the house?!

[cj]

No Honor Code, no Tonalist...racing in 2015. A month just isn't enough time. Used to be two weeks was fine. We'll get a watered down JCGC next. I used to think the Breeder's Cup hurt the other races, but I'm starting to think we'd still get fields like this. Thank goodness for the Breeder's Cup or we'd never see big, competitive fields.

I've also read Honor Code might go in the Kelso instead of the JCGC. Really?

[Robert Fischer]

What's the story with Coach Inge? Wasn't he scratched in the Whitney?

I'd have to guess that Liam's Map was kicking down the stall and Todd knew it would be silly to have Coach Inge pull a frosted on Liam's Map.

So what now? Change of tactics for Coach Inge?

[iceknight]

I am going out on a limb and feeling that Effinex gets this. 7with 2,8 for the exotics

[rastajenk]

I'll be interested to see if Liam's Map is a real deal. After the Whitney I asked if a single placing in a graded stakes was enough to get into the Classic, and I'm still wondering. Although with half the field being from one barn, I suppose they can achieve whatever outcome they want. This may not be the spot where I get the proof I seek.

[EMD4ME]

Originally Posted by rastajenk

I'll be interested to see if Liam's Map is a real deal. After the Whitney I asked if a single placing in a graded stakes was enough to get into the Classic, and I'm still wondering. Although with half the field being from one barn, I suppose they can achieve whatever outcome they want. This may not be the spot where I get the proof I seek.

I too am interested in seeing what Liam's Map does in the Whitney. Very interested.

The track has changed since AP came to town. Much more fair to speed.

[Robert Fischer]

I was surprised by Liam's Map.
He's one of the division stars now.

Coach Inge hasn't really put everything together, but in terms of raw 'performance', he's among the most talented horses. Will be interesting to see what tactics are employed, or if he'll simply be used as a rabbit.

Bay Of Plenty has some speed. I don't know his races as well from memory, but he should be near the pace.

Would be nice to see Wicked Strong regain his form here as well.

[ronsmac]

Originally Posted by cj

No Honor Code, no Tonalist...racing in 2015. A month just isn't enough time. Used to be two weeks was fine. We'll get a watered down JCGC next. I used to think the Breeder's Cup hurt the other races, but I'm starting to think we'd still get fields like this. Thank goodness for the Breeder's Cup or we'd never see big, competitive fields.

I've also read Honor Code might go in the Kelso instead of the JCGC. Really?

I'm guessing they want to keep Honor Codes options open, Bc mile or classic. If they choose classic the last thing they would want is a tough race in the JCGC, or6so it seems. Its2best to be at 100% for a 5mil race.

[PoloUK6108]

Looking for a good price on Bay of Plenty..Liam's Map will make the exacta

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by PoloUK6108

Looking for a good price on Bay of Plenty..Liam's Map will make the exacta

Bay of Plenty always runs near or on the lead. If a speed horse quits, I would think Bay of Plenty will be the first one to go.

The only question for me is how much he softens up Liam's Map and whether a closer is good enough to capitalize.

I picked out Effinex, although it's not an exciting choice.

[classhandicapper]

There's plenty of speed (at least before scratches), but not so clear how the race will develop because Pletcher trains a few of the potential pressers.

[ILovetheInner]

Originally Posted by cj

I've also read Honor Code might go in the Kelso instead of the JCGC. Really?

Well it's McGaughey, so whatever the reasons are they aren't likely stupid. Although off of a weaker effort, they did shorten him to one mile prior to stretching out for the Whitney. Perhaps the success of that pattern is a reason, although of course who is to say. For a horse like him, keeping him sharper might not be a bad thought. I am happy because I like him, and being untried at ten before the big day might not hurt his price.