September 10, 2005
The Grade 1 Woodward Stakes saw just five older horses divided among three betting interests and two trainers go to the gate for a $500,000 purse, causing the track to allow win wagering only on the race. When trainer Todd Pletcher scratched Shaniko, the field was left with three Richard Dutrow trainees and a pair from Nick Zito's barn.
Jockey Gary Stevens sent Commentator to the front for Zito, but he was double-teamed by the two-horse entry of Show Boot and Crafty Player through a half in 45.40, causing him to lose all chance entering the far turn. Entering the stretch, 2-5 favorite Saint Liam took advantage of the team effort as expected, grabbing the lead at the top of the stretch and easily drawing away to a 2 length win in an easy 1:49.07 for 1 1/8 miles. Sir Shackleton rallied from fifth to get second place, and was 12 1/2 lengths ahead of the tiring Commentator in third. The two-horse rabbit entry finished more than 47 lengths out of it at the finish.
Results Chart from DRF
Winning trainer Richard Dutrow said, "It worked out to perfection. I never felt we needed these horses to kill the speed. Going into the race for his next start, I didn't want Saint Liam to get down on his belly. Last year, he put in an unbelievable race (second by a neck to eventual Horse of the Year Ghostzapper in the Woodward) and we didn't get to run him in the Breeders' Cup. This year looks different. So far, so good." Dutrow said he will train up to the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Winning jockey Jerry Bailey said, "I don't think he needed the rabbits. You just don't want to gut him chasing a horse today with $4 million on the line six weeks from now (Breeders' Cup Classic). I knew I had Commentator going into the far turn. To be honest with your, I didn't think Sir Shackleton was the horse that could run me down any where at any point. That is as easy as you can win. I feel bad taking the money for this - but I will."
Rafael Bejarano aboard second place finisher Sir Shackleton said, "My horse always tries hard. He was finishing strongly, but Saint Liam had so much horse left, I knew were weren't going to get him."
Gary Stevens aboard third place finisher Commentator said, "He ran hard. They had to do what they had to do. We picked up a hell of a lot of weight. I don't know if things would have been any different without the rabbits. Of course, they were keeping me company. I could just never get my horse to relax. Saint Liam, take nothing away from him. He's a great horse."
On to the Man O'War won by Better Talk Now
On to the Garden City Breeders' Cup won by Luas Line
On to the Gazelle won by In The Gold
