Woodward at Saratoga to Produce Breeders' Cup Classic Contenders

The big news this week was that Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah will be pointing toward the Grade 1 $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

The connections of American Pharoah, who tasted defeat in a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Travers, will not be retired and will be pointed toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be his final start before heading to the breeding shed.

"I have discussed all aspects of American Pharoah's race last Saturday in the Travers—and his condition since the race—with our whole team, and have decided American Pharoah deserves another chance, so we are pointing to the Breeders' Cup Classic," owner Ahmed Zayat said in a statement via Blood-Horse.

Now the question is: Who has a good shot of beating the champion?

We could find a contender or two Saturday at Saratoga as a field of eight older runners will line up for the Grade 1 $600,000 Woodward, a key prep for the Classic.

The Woodward is one of four graded stakes on an outstanding wagering card at the Spa on Saturday and, along with the Grade 1 $350,000 Spinaway, will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network during a one-hour telecast that gets underway 5 p.m. ET. The broadcast is the sixth of 10 telecasts under the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series – Presented by Lane’s End” banner of automatic qualifying races leading into the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The Spinaway is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race, with the winner earning a fee-expenses paid entry into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

In the Woodward, Todd Pletcher will be the busiest trainer in the paddock, saddling four of the eight runners, including Liam’s Map, who is the 6-5 morning-line favorite. The colt was beaten by just a neck in the Grade 1 Whitney over the Saratoga main track four weeks ago.

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"I thought he ran a huge race," Pletcher said via Frank Angst of Blood-Horse. "It was very disappointing not to win, to run as well as he did. He got beat by a very good horse and I think he earned as much respect as you can earn without winning a race.”

Pletcher goes to jockey Javier Castellano on the favorite. Castellano, who was the leading rider at Saratoga in 2013 and 2014, rode the colt to victory June 9 at Belmont Park in a $100,000 optional claiming race, which was his first start off a six-month layoff.

Pletcher will also saddle Mylute (15-1), who ran third in the 2013 Grade 1 Preakness Stakes. The 5-year-old ran second in the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 9 in his last outing.

Coach Inge (6-1) was third in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap while Pletcher’s Protonico (12-1) has won his last two starts, capturing the Alysheba by a head in his last outing.

Pletcher has won the Woodward twice, with Quality Road in 2010 and Lawyer Ron in 2007.

Suburban winner Effinex (4-1) will be sent out by Jimmy Jerkens' barn, and he has won three of his last four starts. The lone loss was in the Grade 2 Brooklyn at 1 1/2 miles where the colt was eased.

Completing the field are Wicked Strong (5-1), who was beaten by just a nose in last summer’s Grade 1 Travers, Commanding Curve (30-1), who ran second in last year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Alydar Stakes victor Bay of Plenty (10-1).  

The star attraction in the Spinaway is Rachel’s Valentina, who is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the field of six. The filly is by Bernardini out of the multiple Grade 1-winner Rachel Alexandra, who was the Horse of the Year in 2009. She beat the boys three times including the 2009 Woodward at Saratoga.

Selections for the Woodward: Protonico – Liam’s Map — Effinex

Selections for the Spinaway: Tonasah – Rachel’s Valentina – Tap to It

Closing day at Saratoga on Monday features the $350,000 Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes for juveniles. The race will be part of the Jockey Club Tour on Fox telecast at 5 pm ET on Fox Sports 1.  

Morning line odds courtesy of Equibase

Follow Michael Dempsey on twitter @turfnsport