Stakes Tracker: Yoshida probable for Woodward 2018
Last weekend, Catholic Boy switched from turf to dirt and won Saratoga’s Travers Stakes. This weekend, Yoshida will attempt to do the same in the Spa’s feature, the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes.
The Bill Mott trainee struck at the Grade 1 level back on Kentucky Derby day in the Old Forester Turf Classic, then narrowly missed the board at Royal Ascot. He was a no show over soft ground in the Fourstardave (G1) when returning to the United States, but connections have always intended on a main track start for the Japan-bred.
He’s listed as probable for the 1 1/8-mile Woodward, which draws Wednesday and will include a handful of other names. But it’s fair to say none of the handicap division leaders are targeting this spot, meaning it could be open for the taking by Yoshida.
Though the Woodward is not a “Win and You’re In” toward the Breeders’ Cup, it was notably won a year ago by eventual Classic hero Gun Runner, and in 2015 Liam’s Map used it as a final prep for the Dirt Mile.
Baffert has another impressive first out winner, Chasing Yesterday, shipping for Saratoga’s Grade 1 Spinaway, also on Saturday. In case you didn’t know, she’s a half sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Also in Baffert’s barn is Der Lu, who he said could be seen next at Churchill Downs, which hosts the Grade 2 Pocahontas in mid-September.
Labor Day will be all about the next generation of Kentucky Derby hopefuls, with a talented trio already probable for Monday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. The steppingstone to Santa Anita’s Grade 1 American Pharoah (formerly the FrontRunner) is expected to include Grade 2 Best Pal winner Instagrand, a well-schooled debut winner in Roadster and Sigalert, who sports the red-hot connections of Hronis Racing, John Sadler and Drayden Van Dyke.
On the East Coast, Saratoga hosts its Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, which appears another open race. Sombeyay is already a Grade 3 winner for Todd Pletcher, but the money could go to either maiden winner Mucho for Mott or Steve Asmussen-trained Nitrous. All three have already scored during the current Saratoga meet. Last year’s Hopeful-winning trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, will be represented by Derby Date, who enters looking for his first victory.