Woodward Stakes 2024 Analysis

By Jarrod Horak

The Grade 2, $400,000 Woodward Stakes will be run at Belmont at Aqueduct on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Skippylongstocking will probably try to wire the compact field from the inside post. They will be traveling 1 1/8 miles on the main track, and the Woodward goes as the fourth race with a scheduled post time of 1:38 p.m. EDT.

Woodward Stakes Analysis

#1 Skippylongstocking won three graded dirt routes this year. He chased from second and captured the Grade 3 Challenger and Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, and wired the field in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic as the favorite on Aug. 23. He does some of his best work at 1 1/8 miles and might be the controlling speed from the inside post.

#2 Crupi is the best late runner in the field but the lack of pace in the paper race might hurt his chances. He overcame a speed bias when going last-to-first in the Suburban (G2) on June 8, and exits back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Brooklyn (G2) and Grade 1 Whitney. He likes this course and distance, and his winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr. stays put. Todd Pletcher’s Curlin colt typically earns Today’s Racing Digest Final Time Ratings in the 143-144 range, and that puts him right in the mix in this race.

#3 Tapit Trice was visually impressive in his first start in more than ten months in the Monmouth Cup (G3) on July 20. He was 2-1 in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles on Sept. 1, and he stalked from the inside post and missed the show by a nose (beaten 6 3/4 lengths). The final quarter was run in 27.06 and it was the slowest Jockey Club Gold Cup since they shortened the race from a mile and a half to a mile and a quarter in 1990. I have always liked this Tapit colt and he will probably work out a decent stalking trip.

#4 Masqueparade finished behind Crupi in the Suburban and Brooklyn, and finished 22 lengths behind Next in a runner-up finish in the Birdstone Stakes at 1 3/4 miles on Aug. 4. He has dropped four straight and seems up against it. 

#5 Kay Army is expected to scratch out of this race. His trainer Bill Mott has not given a reason for skipping this event, and his next start is unknown at this time.

Woodward Stakes Video