One of the premier races for Thoroughbreds age 3 and older, this race is named for prominent racehorse owner George Nicholas Woodward and it is run at a 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs). From 2006 through 2020 it was hosted by Saratoga Race Course, but it switched back to Belmont Park in 2021.
First run in 1954, the Woodward has been won by equine greats such as Sword Dancer, Kelso, Forego, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Cigar, Curlin, and Rachel Alexandra. In addition, Spectacular Bid won the 1980 race in a walkover when no one was willing to face him.
One of the premier races for Thoroughbreds age 3 and older, this race is named for prominent racehorse owner George Nicholas Woodward and it is run at a 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs). From 2006 through 2020 it was hosted by Saratoga Race Course, but it switched back to Belmont Park in 2021.
First run in 1954, the Woodward has been won by equine greats such as Sword Dancer, Kelso, Forego, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Cigar, Curlin, and Rachel Alexandra. In addition, Spectacular Bid won the 1980 race in a walkover when no one was willing to face him.
Forego captured the Woodward trophy for four consecutive years, winning from 1974-1977 with two different jockeys. Also during that time frame, Bill Shoemaker and Angel Cordero had a stranglehold on the Woodward winner's circle, winning nine of the 10 Woodwards run from 1976-1985. Since 2005, John Velazquez has won three editions of the race.
Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:45:80
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 13 1/2 lengths
| Date | Past Winner | Trainer | Jockey | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27/2024 | Tapit Trice | Todd A. Pletcher | Dylan Davis | Whisper Hill Farm, LLC and Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck) |
| 09/30/2023 | Zandon | Chad C. Brown | Flavien Prat | Jeff Drown |
| 09/30/2022 | Life Is Good | Todd A. Pletcher | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC |
| 10/01/2021 | Art Collector | William I. Mott | Luis Saez | Bruce Lunsford |
| 09/04/2020 | Global Campaign | Stanley M. Hough | Luis Saez | Sagamore Farm, LLC and WinStar Farm, LLC |
| 08/30/2019 | Preservationist | James A. Jerkens | Junior Alvarado | Centennial Farms |
| 08/31/2018 | Yoshida (JPN) | William I. Mott | Joel Rosario | WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. et al. |
| 09/01/2017 | Gun Runner | Steven M. Asmussen | Florent Geroux | Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm |
| 09/02/2016 | Shaman Ghost | James A. Jerkens | Javier Castellano | Stronach Stables |
| 09/04/2015 | Liam's Map | Todd A. Pletcher | Javier Castellano | Teresa Viola Racing Stables |
| 08/29/2014 | Itsmyluckyday | Edward Plesa, Jr. | Paco Lopez | Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa |
| 08/30/2013 | Alpha | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | John R. Velazquez | Godolphin, LLC |
| 08/31/2012 | To Honor and Serve | William I. Mott | John R. Velazquez | Live Oak Plantation |
| 09/02/2011 | Havre de Grace | J. Larry Jones | Ramon A. Dominguez | Fox Hill Farms, Inc. |
| 09/03/2010 | Quality Road | Todd A. Pletcher | John R. Velazquez | Edward P. Evans |
| 09/04/2009 | Rachel Alexandra | Steven M. Asmussen | Calvin H. Borel | Stonestreet Stables and McCormick, Harold |
| 08/29/2008 | Curlin | Steven M. Asmussen | Robby Albarado | Stonestreet Stables LLC |
| 08/31/2007 | Lawyer Ron | Todd A. Pletcher | John R. Velazquez | Hines Racing LLC |
| 09/01/2006 | Premium Tap | John C. Kimmel | Kent J. Desormeaux | Kline, George, Alevizos, Peter and Whelihan, David |
| 09/09/2005 | Saint Liam | Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. | Jerry D. Bailey | Warren, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William K. |
| 09/10/2004 | Ghostzapper | Robert J. Frankel | Javier Castellano | Stronach Stables |
| 09/05/2003 | Mineshaft | Neil J. Howard | Robby Albarado | Farish, William S., Elkins, Jr., James A. and Webber, Jr., W. Temple |
| 09/06/2002 | Lido Palace (CHI) | Robert J. Frankel | Jorge F. Chavez | Amerman Racing LLC |
| 09/07/2001 | Lido Palace (CHI) | Robert J. Frankel | Jerry D. Bailey | Amerman Racing LLC |
| 09/15/2000 | Lemon Drop Kid | Flint S. Schulhofer | Edgar S. Prado | Jeanne G. Vance |
| 09/17/1999 | River Keen (IRE) | Bob Baffert | Chris W. Antley | Hugo Reynolds |
| 09/18/1998 | Skip Away | Hubert Hine | Jerry D. Bailey | Carolyn H. Hine |
| 09/19/1997 | Formal Gold | William W. Perry | Kent J. Desormeaux | John D. Murphy, Sr. |
| 09/13/1996 | Cigar | William I. Mott | Jerry D. Bailey | Allen E. Paulson |
| 09/15/1995 | Cigar | William I. Mott | Jerry D. Bailey | Allen E. Paulson |
| 09/16/1994 | Holy Bull | Warren A. Croll, Jr. | Mike E. Smith | Warren A. Croll Jr. |
| 09/17/1993 | Bertrando | Robert J. Frankel | Gary L. Stevens | Edward Nahem |
| 09/18/1992 | Sultry Song | Patrick J. Kelly | Jerry D. Bailey | Live Oak Plantation |
| 09/14/1991 | In Excess (IRE) | Bruce L. Jackson | Gary L. Stevens | Jack J Munari |
| 09/14/1990 | Dispersal | Grover G. Delp | Chris W. Antley | Meyerhoff Tom O |
| 09/15/1989 | Easy Goer | Claude R. McGaughey III | Pat Day | Phipps O |
| 09/16/1988 | Alysheba | Jack C. Van Berg | Chris J. McCarron | Scharbauer Dorothy & Pamela |
| 09/04/1987 | Polish Navy | Claude R. McGaughey III | Randy P. Romero | Phipps O |
| 08/29/1986 | Precisionist | Leland Ross Fenstermaker | Chris J. McCarron | Hooper F W |
| 08/30/1985 | Track Barron | LeRoy S. Jolley | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Brant P M |
| 09/14/1984 | Slew o' Gold | John O. Hertler | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Equusequity Stable |
| 09/02/1983 | Slew o' Gold | Sidney J. Watters, Jr. | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Equusequity Stable |
| 09/03/1982 | Island Whirl | D. Wayne Lukas | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Elcee-H Stable |
| 09/04/1981 | Pleasant Colony | John P. Campo | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Buckland Farm |
| 09/19/1980 | Spectacular Bid | Grover G. Delp | William Shoemaker | Hawksworth Farm |
| 09/21/1979 | Affirmed | Lazaro S. Barrera | Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. | Harbor View Farm |
| 09/29/1978 | Seattle Slew | Douglas R. Peterson | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Tayhill Stable |
| 09/16/1977 | Forego | Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr. | William Shoemaker | Lazy F Ranch |
| 09/17/1976 | Forego | Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr. | William Shoemaker | Lazy F Ranch |
