The Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, George Nicholas Woodward, it is run at 11⁄8 miles (1,800 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. Then in 2011 Havre De Grace a 4 year old filly became the 2nd filly to win the Woodward, but unlike Rachel Alexandra, this was the 1st time Havre De Grace had faced males at all.
Since its inception, the Woodward Stakes has been run at a variety of distances:
- 1 mile - 1954
- 1⅛ miles - 1955, 1976–1977, 1981–1987, 1990 to present
- 1¼ miles - 1956-1971, 1978–1980, 1988–1989
- 1½ miles - 1972-1975
Read more about Woodward Stakes: Records, Winners of The Woodward Stakes
Famous quotes containing the words woodward and/or stakes:
“He was high and mighty. But the kindest creature to his slaves—and the unfortunate results of his bad ways were not sold, had not to jump over ice blocks. They were kept in full view and provided for handsomely in his will. His wife and daughters in the might of their purity and innocence are supposed never to dream of what is as plain before their eyes as the sunlight, and they play their parts of unsuspecting angels to the letter.”
—Anonymous Antebellum Confederate Women. Previously quoted by Mary Boykin Chesnut in Mary Chesnut’s Civil War, edited by C. Vann Woodward (1981)
“This man was very clever and quick to learn anything in his line. Our tent was of a kind new to him; but when he had once seen it pitched, it was surprising how quickly he would find and prepare the pole and forked stakes to pitch it with, cutting and placing them right the first time, though I am sure that the majority of white men would have blundered several times.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)