Woodward Stakes
The Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race held annually at Saratoga Race Course and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, William Woodward, Sr., it is run at 1-1/8 miles (1811 m) on the dirt for a purse of $750,000.
The Woodward was run as a handicap in 1954, 1955, and in 1976 and 1977. From 1957 through 1975 it was a weight-for-age event, and was run as an allowance stakes from 1977 through 1987. The race returned to being a handicap event in 1988, 1989, and 1990 then reverted to a weight-for-age race in 1991. Originally run at Aqueduct Racetrack and most recently at Belmont Park, the Woodward was moved to Saratoga Race Course for its 53rd running in 2006. All three racetracks are operated by the New York Racing Association.
This race is to honor the memory of Belair Stud's William Woodward, Sr., a dedicated horseman, who was chairman of the Jockey Club from 1930 to 1950.
In 2009 Rachel Alexandra became the first female to win the Woodward facing older males for the first time. Only one other 3-year-old filly had ever run in the Woodward: Summer Guest in 1972. She finished second to Key to the Mint before being disqualified and placed third.
Saratoga Race Course Graded Stakes Races
Horse Betting News
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Horse Racing Results
Graded stakes horse racing results & video race replays. Watching race replays is an invaluable handicapping tool for horse betting. -
2021 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Park
Richard Mandella trained Tizamagician heads field of five in the Grade 3, $100,000 Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, April 18. -
2021 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Brickyard Ridealong with Bob Bafferts Ax Man, head the Grade 3, $100,000 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, April 18. -
2021 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland
Speech heads field of seven and will take on Eres Tu in the Grade 3, $100,000 race on Friday, April 16 at Keeneland. -
2021 Elkhorn Stakes Contenders & Odds
Trainer Bill Mott Seeks His Third Elkhorn Victory the 36th running of the Grade 2, $200,000 race on Saturday, April 17 at Keeneland. -
2021 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita
Field, Odds and analysis for the Grade 2, $200,000 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, April 17. -
2021 Lexington Stakes Field & Odds
The last Kentucky Derby points up are for grabs in the 39th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lexington Stakes on Saturday, April 10 at Keeneland. -
2021 Jenny Wiley Stakes Contenders & Odds
Preview the field and odds for the 33rd running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes on Saturday, April 10 at Keeneland. -
2021 Top Flight Invitational Field & Odds at Aqueduct
Preview the contenders and odds for the 80th running of the $100,000 Top Flight Invitational at Aqueduct on Saturday, April 10.