The $500,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) at Saratoga features some of the top older horses on the east coast, with the Breeders' Cup Classic as the goal. 19,973 fans were on hand enjoying cool temperatures and sunny skies on the last Saturday of the meeting. As expected, Lawyer Ron was sent off as the 3-4 favorite coming off his record-setting performance in the Whitney Handicap over this same track and distance on July 28. In to challenge the Todd Pletcher trainee were 6-1 Political Force, winner of the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park in his last start, and 7-1 Diamond Stripes, who was third behind Lawyer Ron in the Whitney last out, after finishing third in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs. Jockey Mike Luzzi got the call aboard Diamond Stripes as regular jockey Edgar Prado was injured in a spill after the 7th race.
12-1 shot Wanderin Boy and heavy favorite Lawyer Ron contested the pace through fractions of 23.31, 46.42, and 1:10.45 while 7-1 Diamond Stripes stalked them in third. Around the far turn, jockey John Velazquez asked Lawyer Ron for run and got it, as the favorite quickly passed the pacesetting Wanderin Boy and opened up a 7 length lead at the 1/8 pole after a mile in 1:35.62. Late-running 13-1 Sun King was no match for Lawyer Ron, who drew away to win by 8 1/4 lengths in 1:48.60. It was another 1 14 lengths back from Sun King to Diamond Stripes in third, while pacesetter Wanderin Boy faded to seventh.
