Can Art Collector enter Classic discussion with Woodward win?

Art Collector likely will make his fourth start off the bench in the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park. With two straight wins out of three starts since his comeback in June, he carries important momentum with him into his first Grade 1 attempt since the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile last fall at Keeneland.

Can Art Collector become a top contender in the Breeders’ Cup Classic? With another step forward in the Woodward, the answer is yes. Remember, this is a colt who had shown great talent as a 3-year-old before going off form in the Preakness Stakes. Now, he owns two stakes wins in his last two starts, including the Charles Town Classic (G2).

Here is a recap of Art Collector's exciting form last summer. 

Art Collector hit his peak in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland with a big 3 1/2-length win over a star filly in Swiss Skydiver.

Watching the replay, Art Collector overpowered Swiss Skydiver in the stretch.

After the Blue Grass, Swiss Skydiver entered the best form of her career. She dominated the field in the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, finished second to Shedaresthedevil in the Kentucky Oaks and then outfinished Authentic after a hard battle to win the Preakness.

Art Collector took a softer path to the Preakness. He was pointed toward an easier race in the Ellis Park Derby, which he won by 3 1/4 lengths. Afterward, a minor problem kept him out of the Kentucky Derby.

After the defection from the Derby, his form suddenly went south with a flat fourth-place finish in the Preakness. Despite handling Swiss Skydiver easily in the Blue Grass only a few months earlier, Art Collector ended up finishing 10 lengths behind her at Pimlico.

The connections still tried the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile with Art Collector. After stalking the early pace, he faded in the stretch again for a disappointing eighth-place finish. He lost by 9 1/4 lengths to Knicks Go, which nearly matched his 10-length losing Preakness margin.

The Art Collector who won the Blue Grass performed like a top horse in his division, but his form later in the season resembled a struggling Grade 3-type runner struggling to compete against the best horses.

There is reason to believe Art Collector can become a top player again.

Art Collector returned in the seven-furlong Kelly’s Landing Stakes in June at Churchill Downs with another disappointing performance by finishing sixth. But in this race, he had good excuses with the long layoff and veering out at the start. Art Collector did finish with some interest. 

Nevertheless, Art Collector went from trainer Tom Drury Jr. to Bill Mott's barn after the failed return effort. The switch in trainers, as well as the stretchout to a route distance and change in jockeys to Luis Saez, woke up Art Collector in his next race.

Art Collector made his second start off the layoff in the nine-furlong Alydar Stakes at Saratoga, and he gave reason to believe the “good” version of Art Collector was back, with a 1 1/2-length win over a consistent runner in Night Ops. Another 8 1/2 lengths separated Night Ops and Math Wizard in third, which was a great sign for Art Collector.  

In terms of speed figures, Art Collector also earned a 119 on TimeformUS in the Alydar. He moved closer to his best. In his Blue Grass and Ellis Park Derby wins, Art Collector posted a 123 and 124 before falling down to a 116 in both the Preakness and Breeders’ Cup.

Now to discuss Art Collector’s Charles Town Classic (G2) win in late August.

Some observers might consider this a weak effort since he beat Sleepy Eyes Todd by only 1 1/2 lengths. Watching the stretch replay, it took Art Collector a while to gain the upper hand and secure the win. 

However, Sleepy Eyes Todd deserves credit for running a quality race in his runner-up finish. On his best day, he also is capable at a high level.

In addition, there are two factors that helped Sleepy Eyes Todd run his best race in the Charles Town Classic. The bullring configuration of Charles Town moves up certain horses, such as Sleepy Eyes Todd. Also, Sleepy Eyes Todd’s trainer Miguel Silva had spent the entire year restraining Sleepy Eyes Todd’s speed in routes. He finally let him use it.

Both the bullring configuration and the use of early speed led to Sleepy Eyes Todd returning to the same form that won him the Charles Town Classic in 2020 with a 123 on TimeformUS. In this edition, Sleepy Eyes Todd posted a nearly identical 122 figure.

Unfortunately for Sleepy Eyes Todd, he ran into a quality colt in Art Collector in the stretch run and lost to him after briefly trying to battle. Regardless, Art Collector did match his summer form last year by earning a 123 TimeformUS Speed Figure for the win at Charles Town.

As a developing 4-year-old colt who is improving with each start, Art Collector can build off the Charles Town and Saratoga wins. He clearly has raw talent, as shown in his Blue Grass win over Swiss Skydiver. Now, he is healthy and in good form as shown by his two recent wins. 

Right now, Art Collector is not far off the top older horse Knicks Go, or even the 3-year-olds Hot Rod Charlie, Essential Quality and Midnight Bourbon. He owns useful tactical speed, natural ability and a superb rider in Saez if he keeps taking the call moving forward in his career.

Art Collector needs only one more step forward to join the top mix and be labeled a legitimate Classic threat. Assuming he runs, watch for him to turn in a great performance in the Woodward this week.