Woodward Stakes 2015: Date, Post Positions, Odds, Prize Money Purse and More

Last week, racing fans were treated to one of the most exciting races in both recent history and the total history of Saratoga Race Course. The 2015 Travers Stakes was one for the ages, and now, with the race in our rearview mirror, the Graveyard of Champions is almost ready to close the books on another incredible season of racing.

Only three Grade 1 races remain in this year's Saratoga meet, and while none of them carry a level of prestige equal to that of the Travers, one of great importance still remains.

The Woodward Stakes has a storied history that spans three tracks. The race was originally run at Belmont Park, and at one point, it attracted the likes of Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Alysheba, Holy Bull, Cigar and Skip Away, among others.

The race has played second fiddle to the likes of the Travers, Whitney and Sword Dancer since moving to Saratoga back in 2006, but the venue change has brought stars like Curlin, Rachel Alexandra, Macho Again, Mucho Macho Man and Alpha to the Spa for a crack at a Grade 1 victory.

This year, the race doesn't have much star power, but it does feature a deep field capable of putting together a great race.

A race with this much potential deserves a breakdown, though, and that's what I'm here for. In the sections that follow, you'll find everything you need to know about this year's running of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes.

Let's get to it!

2015 Woodward Stakes Info:

Where: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga New York

When: Saturday, September 5

Purse: $600,000

First Post: 12:30 p.m. ET

Woodward Stakes Post Time: 5:47 p.m. ET

Where to Watch: NBC Sports Network

Post Positions, Runners and Odds

Position	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
1	Wicked Strong	James Jerkens	Luis Saez	5-1
2	Liam's Map	Todd Pletcher	Javier Castellano	6-5
3	Commanding Curve	Dallas Stewart	Shaun Bridgmohan	30-1
4	Bay of Plenty	Kiaran McLaughlin	Joel Rosario	10-1
5	Mylute	Todd Pletcher	Irad Ortiz Jr.	15-1
6	Coach Inge	Todd Pletcher	John Velazquez	6-1
7	Effinex	James jerkens	Junior Alvarado	4-1
8	Protonico	Todd Pletcher	Jose Ortiz	12-1

Woodward Stakes Predictions

The first thing that should jump out at you is the fact that trainer Todd Pletcher has four of the eight entries in this race. That said, I don't see him getting a win here.

There are three runners that figure to jump out to an early lead, those being Liam's Map (trained by Todd Pletcher), Coach Inge (trained by Todd Pletcher) and Bay of Plenty (trained by Kiaran McLaughlin). At first glance, it looks like there will be too much pressure up front for Liam's Map—the 6-5 morning-line favorite—to hold on to a lead through the nine-furlong contest.

Behind him, though, a few horses will benefit from that early speed, most notably Wicked Strong and Effinex. At 4-1 and 5-1, Effinex and Wicked Strong are the second and third choices, respectively, but their running styles suggest they could easily run first and second in this year's Woodward.

Effinex is my pick to win the Woodward, and one need look no further than this year's Grade 2 Suburban Handicap as evidence of his abilities.

In that race, Street Babe set a quick pace, running out to a half-mile in 46.13 seconds. Behind that, Coach Inge pushed the pace and made an early run at the Street Sense offspring, and the two dueled to third- and sixth-place finishes, respectively.

There to pick up the pieces was Effinex, who came from 5 1/2 lengths back at the half-mile mark to work out a win over Belmont Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Tonalist.

Effinex has shown in the past that he's capable of beating top-tier competitors, and it will be no different here at Saratoga. Meanwhile, Liam's Map should have enough to hold on for third, but Wicked Strong will give the field a good run.

The four-year-old son of Hard Spun hasn't won since last year's Jim Dandy and somehow has just three victories in his racing career. That said, he's almost always in the mix—eight top-three finishes in 16 attempts, per HorseRacingNation.com.

Tomorrow, we should expect nothing different.

Wicked Strong is at his best when there's pace up front, and he's able to sit just off it. He likes to be in position to take first crack at the leader, which is exactly what he did in the Jim Dandy.

With the fifth most wins of this year's meet, Luis Saez figures to keep Wicked Strong within striking distance. The problem is, in order to keep Liam's Map within reach, and then to subsequently pass him, the veteran colt will be forced to expend a good deal of energy.

This should leave the door wide open for Effinex.

Final predictions: Effinex first, Wicked Strong second, Liam's Map third, Commanding Curve fourth.

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