After more than a decade at Saratoga Race Course, the Woodward Stakes returned to Belmont Park in 2021 and for the last two years has been part of the Belmont at the Big A meet at Aqueduct.

The race was downgraded to a Grade 2 this year, which is unfortunate for a historic race with a list of past winners that reads like a “who’s who” of horse racing: just from 1974 to 1980 the race was won by Forego four times followed by Seattle Slew, Affirmed, and Spectacular Bid.

The 2023 Woodward Stakes drew a field of 10 aiming to add their name to the history books alongside some of the greatest Thoroughbreds to set foot on a racetrack.

Let’s take a closer look at this year’s entrants. (Please note: the race was postponed a day from Saturday to Sunday due to inclement weather forecasts in New York.) 

1. Charge It (7-2 morning-line odds): Led every step of the way in a dominant victory in July in the Suburban Stakes but could not duplicate that effort when fourth, beaten by 10 lengths, in the Whitney Stakes in August at Saratoga. Seems to be at his best when able to set or press the pace and there appears to be plenty of speed to challenge him here. Talented enough to win but not sure he’ll get the ideal trip.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

2. Law Professor (12-1): Horse for course has two wins on this main track along with a second-place finish in the 2022 Woodward in three attempts at Aqueduct. There is precipitation in the forecast and an off-track would really boost his chances.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Rob Atras

3. Algiers (6-1): Ran second in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline in March and will make his stateside debut here in his return from a six-month layoff. Warrants respect if you believe he can run well in return from extended break.

JOCKEY: William Buick; TRAINER: Simon Crisford

4. Zandon (2-1): Three runner-up finishes in as many starts this year while facing elite competition, but he was beaten by 3 ¼ lengths or more in all three races. Should be sufficient speed to set up this closer’s finishing kick and he has, in the past, handled wet main tracks. A top threat.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown

5. Pipeline (20-1): Generated some buzz leading into last year’s Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile but faded late and was soundly defeated. Winless, and likewise soundly beaten, in two starts this year. Does not compute.

JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Chad Brown

6. Costa Terra (15-1): Four-year-old Gun Runner colt has improved significantly in his last three starts with a win and two close seconds, but he’s unplaced and well-beaten in three previous starts in graded stakes races. He’s a better racehorse now, but the class hurdle is not insignificant.

JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Linda Rice

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7. Un Ojo (30-1): One-eyed gelding captured the hearts of racing fans when winning the $1 million Rebel Stakes in February 2022. He’s winless in five races since the Rebel, but he has taken a nice step forward in his last two starts, both runner-up finishes. Not sure he’s fast enough.

JOCKEY: Trevor McCarthy; TRAINER: Linda Rice

8. Tyson (5-1): A beast on all-weather surfaces, Tyson made his first start on dirt in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes Sept. 2 at Saratoga and finished third, beaten by 2 ¼ lengths. That experience on dirt should help him, and his career-best Equibase Speed Figure came at this 1 1/8-mile distance. A prime win candidate.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Josie Carroll

9. O’Connor (8-1): He has placed in three straight graded stakes after a dud in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Baccarat to begin his 2023 campaign. Capable of spicing up the exotics with a big effort.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.

10. Film Star (12-1): Film Star makes his stakes debut here. The handicapper at the local paper I grew up reading, The News Journal, would note “in fine fettle” when a horse was in a particularly good groove, and that certainly applies here as this 4-year-old Flatter colt has posted back-to-back front-running wins at this 1 1/8-miles distance. He has three firsts and five seconds in eight starts since April. The one to catch.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Linda Rice

THE PICK: Tyson

LIVE LONGSHOT: Film Star

SUPERFECTA: 8-10-4-9