The highlight race on closing weekend at Saratoga is the $500,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on the main track for older horses. Traditionally run at Belmont Park, this major prep for the Jockey Club Gold Cup was moved to the Spa this year. Ten went to post with Sun King and Flower Alley sharing 5-2 favoritism, before a crowd of just 13,111.
Longshots Second of June and Premium Tap dueled for the lead the whole way around through a half in 47.37 and 3/4 in 1:11.88, while Funny Cide gave chase in third. Turning for home, Premium Tap surged ahead of Second of June, as the pair continued to battle up front with Sun King closing well from seventh early. However, Sun King was left with too much ground to make up, as 31-1 Premium Tap hit the wire first by 1/2 a length over 21-1 Second of June, with Sun King just 3/4 length back in third. Flower Alley came up empty at the end and was seventh. The two longshots in front combined for a $929 exacta and a $5,567 trifecta.
