2025 Woodward S.

about this race

Race Info
History

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.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:45:80
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 13 1/2 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
09/26/2025	Locked Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm
09/27/2024	Tapit Trice Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Dylan Davis Owner / Whisper Hill Farm, LLC and Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck)	Todd A. Pletcher	Dylan Davis	Whisper Hill Farm, LLC and Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck)
09/30/2023	Zandon Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Flavien Prat Owner / Jeff Drown	Chad C. Brown	Flavien Prat	Jeff Drown
09/30/2022	Life Is Good Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC	Todd A. Pletcher	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC
10/01/2021	Art Collector Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Luis Saez Owner / Bruce Lunsford	William I. Mott	Luis Saez	Bruce Lunsford
09/04/2020	Global Campaign Trainer / Stanley M. Hough Jockey / Luis Saez Owner / Sagamore Farm, LLC and WinStar Farm, LLC	Stanley M. Hough	Luis Saez	Sagamore Farm, LLC and WinStar Farm, LLC
08/30/2019	Preservationist Trainer / James A. Jerkens Jockey / Junior Alvarado Owner / Centennial Farms	James A. Jerkens	Junior Alvarado	Centennial Farms
08/31/2018	Yoshida (JPN) Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. et al.	William I. Mott	Joel Rosario	WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd. et al.
09/01/2017	Gun Runner Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Florent Geroux Owner / Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm	Steven M. Asmussen	Florent Geroux	Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm
09/02/2016	Shaman Ghost Trainer / James A. Jerkens Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Stronach Stables	James A. Jerkens	Javier Castellano	Stronach Stables
09/04/2015	Liam's Map Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Teresa Viola Racing Stables	Todd A. Pletcher	Javier Castellano	Teresa Viola Racing Stables
08/29/2014	Itsmyluckyday Trainer / Edward Plesa, Jr. Jockey / Paco Lopez Owner / Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa	Edward Plesa, Jr.	Paco Lopez	Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa
08/30/2013	Alpha Trainer / Kiaran P. McLaughlin Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	John R. Velazquez	Godolphin, LLC
08/31/2012	To Honor and Serve Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Live Oak Plantation	William I. Mott	John R. Velazquez	Live Oak Plantation
09/02/2011	Havre de Grace Trainer / J. Larry Jones Jockey / Ramon A. Dominguez Owner / Fox Hill Farms, Inc.	J. Larry Jones	Ramon A. Dominguez	Fox Hill Farms, Inc.
09/03/2010	Quality Road Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Edward P. Evans	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Edward P. Evans
09/04/2009	Rachel Alexandra Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Calvin H. Borel Owner / Stonestreet Stables and McCormick, Harold	Steven M. Asmussen	Calvin H. Borel	Stonestreet Stables and McCormick, Harold
08/29/2008	Curlin Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Stonestreet Stables LLC	Steven M. Asmussen	Robby Albarado	Stonestreet Stables LLC
08/31/2007	Lawyer Ron Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Hines Racing LLC	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Hines Racing LLC
09/01/2006	Premium Tap Trainer / John C. Kimmel Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / Kline, George, Alevizos, Peter and Whelihan, David	John C. Kimmel	Kent J. Desormeaux	Kline, George, Alevizos, Peter and Whelihan, David
09/09/2005	Saint Liam Trainer / Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Warren, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William K.	Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.	Jerry D. Bailey	Warren, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William K.
09/10/2004	Ghostzapper Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Stronach Stables	Robert J. Frankel	Javier Castellano	Stronach Stables
09/05/2003	Mineshaft Trainer / Neil J. Howard Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Farish, William S., Elkins, Jr., James A. and Webber, Jr., W. Temple	Neil J. Howard	Robby Albarado	Farish, William S., Elkins, Jr., James A. and Webber, Jr., W. Temple
09/06/2002	Lido Palace (CHI) Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Jorge F. Chavez Owner / Amerman Racing LLC	Robert J. Frankel	Jorge F. Chavez	Amerman Racing LLC
09/07/2001	Lido Palace (CHI) Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Amerman Racing LLC	Robert J. Frankel	Jerry D. Bailey	Amerman Racing LLC
09/15/2000	Lemon Drop Kid Trainer / Flint S. Schulhofer Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / Jeanne G. Vance	Flint S. Schulhofer	Edgar S. Prado	Jeanne G. Vance
09/17/1999	River Keen (IRE) Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Chris W. Antley Owner / Hugo Reynolds	Bob Baffert	Chris W. Antley	Hugo Reynolds
09/18/1998	Skip Away Trainer / Hubert Hine Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Carolyn H. Hine	Hubert Hine	Jerry D. Bailey	Carolyn H. Hine
09/19/1997	Formal Gold Trainer / William W. Perry Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / John D. Murphy, Sr.	William W. Perry	Kent J. Desormeaux	John D. Murphy, Sr.
09/13/1996	Cigar Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Allen E. Paulson	William I. Mott	Jerry D. Bailey	Allen E. Paulson
09/15/1995	Cigar Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Allen E. Paulson	William I. Mott	Jerry D. Bailey	Allen E. Paulson
09/16/1994	Holy Bull Trainer / Warren A. Croll, Jr. Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Warren A. Croll Jr.	Warren A. Croll, Jr.	Mike E. Smith	Warren A. Croll Jr.
09/17/1993	Bertrando Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Gary L. Stevens Owner / Edward Nahem	Robert J. Frankel	Gary L. Stevens	Edward Nahem
09/18/1992	Sultry Song Trainer / Patrick J. Kelly Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Live Oak Plantation	Patrick J. Kelly	Jerry D. Bailey	Live Oak Plantation
09/14/1991	In Excess (IRE) Trainer / Bruce L. Jackson Jockey / Gary L. Stevens Owner / Jack J Munari	Bruce L. Jackson	Gary L. Stevens	Jack J Munari
09/14/1990	Dispersal Trainer / Grover G. Delp Jockey / Chris W. Antley Owner / Meyerhoff Tom O	Grover G. Delp	Chris W. Antley	Meyerhoff Tom O
09/15/1989	Easy Goer Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Phipps O	Claude R. McGaughey III	Pat Day	Phipps O
09/16/1988	Alysheba Trainer / Jack C. Van Berg Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Scharbauer Dorothy & Pamela	Jack C. Van Berg	Chris J. McCarron	Scharbauer Dorothy & Pamela
09/04/1987	Polish Navy Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / Randy P. Romero Owner / Phipps O	Claude R. McGaughey III	Randy P. Romero	Phipps O
08/29/1986	Precisionist Trainer / Leland Ross Fenstermaker Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Hooper F W	Leland Ross Fenstermaker	Chris J. McCarron	Hooper F W
08/30/1985	Track Barron Trainer / LeRoy S. Jolley Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Brant P M	LeRoy S. Jolley	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Brant P M
09/14/1984	Slew o' Gold Trainer / John O. Hertler Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Equusequity Stable	John O. Hertler	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Equusequity Stable
09/02/1983	Slew o' Gold Trainer / Sidney J. Watters, Jr. Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Equusequity Stable	Sidney J. Watters, Jr.	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Equusequity Stable
09/03/1982	Island Whirl Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Elcee-H Stable	D. Wayne Lukas	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Elcee-H Stable
09/04/1981	Pleasant Colony Trainer / John P. Campo Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Buckland Farm	John P. Campo	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Buckland Farm
09/19/1980	Spectacular Bid Trainer / Grover G. Delp Jockey / William Shoemaker Owner / Hawksworth Farm	Grover G. Delp	William Shoemaker	Hawksworth Farm
09/21/1979	Affirmed Trainer / Lazaro S. Barrera Jockey / Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. Owner / Harbor View Farm	Lazaro S. Barrera	Laffit A. Pincay, Jr.	Harbor View Farm
09/29/1978	Seattle Slew Trainer / Douglas R. Peterson Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Tayhill Stable	Douglas R. Peterson	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Tayhill Stable
09/16/1977	Forego Trainer / Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr. Jockey / William Shoemaker Owner / Lazy F Ranch	Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr.	William Shoemaker	Lazy F Ranch
09/17/1976	Forego Trainer / Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr. Jockey / William Shoemaker Owner / Lazy F Ranch	Frank Y. Whiteley, Jr.	William Shoemaker	Lazy F Ranch