Woodward Stakes Field Could Prove Intriguing
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If horses on the list of probable starters all show up, the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course could prove very interesting.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has four under consideration for the 1 1/8-mile Woodward, including Teresa Viola Racing Stables' Liam's Map, who came very close to wiring the field in the Aug. 8 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) in an excellent effort. The Unbridled's Song colt, who has four wins and two seconds in six starts, was nailed at the finish by Honor Code, who earlier this year captured the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I).
Pletcher also has Coach Inge, who finished third in the Suburban Handicap (gr. II) in his last start; Mylute, second in the Alydar Stakes behind Bay of Plenty; and Protonico, who won the Alysheba Stakes (gr. II) in his most recent start in May.
Bay of Plenty is on the list of probable starters, as is Suburban winner Effinex; Wicked Strong, who finished fourth in the Whitney; and Commanding Curve, seventh in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes in his last start. Tonalist, third in the Whitney, is listed as a possible starter.