2011 Woodward Stakes: Horses, Post Positions, & Odds

Written by Deborah Nicks
Wednesday, 31 August 2011 19:02

Let’s update everyone on the 2011 Woodward Stakes horses, post positions, and morning line odds.

Saratoga Race Course held the draw for post positions today and we’ll preview the results as well as the morning line odds assigned to each of the 8 horses set to run in the 2011 Woodward Stakes.  Horse of the Year candidate filly Havre de Grace is the Woodward Stakes favorite at 8-5 but she should expect some challengers in the way of Flat Out (5-2) and Rule (5-1).  Make sure to check back later in the week for our horse racing picks on the 2011 Woodward Stakes' winner and trifecta.

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2011 Woodward Stakes - Horses, Morning Line Odds, and Post Positions:

1 – Ice Box, 12-1

2 – Mission Impazible, 10-1

3 – Giant Oak, 8-1

4 – Rule, 5-1

5 – Convocation, 20-1

6 – Havre de Grace, 8-5

7 – Flat Out, 5-2

8 – Mambo Meister, 10-1

2011 Woodward Stakes – Random Thoughts:

Before I knew Rule was going to be one of the 2011 Woodward Stakes horses, I really had no idea which of these entries might vie for the lead in the early going.  Rule at least gives us some speed on the front end but I’m still not sure the pace will be anything that will help set up the closers (Giant Oak and Flat Out, most notably).

Havre de Grace will likely take the lead for Horse of the Year honors if the Woodward Stakes favorite manages to beat the males here, and I like her #6 spot in the post positions.  She’ll stalk the lead and should have plenty left in the tank when making her move around the far turn.  Havre de Grace is a deserving favorite and will be trying to become the second filly to win in 3 years after Rachel Alexandra won the Woodward Stakes in 2009.

Jockey John Velazquez has won the Woodward Stakes twice in the last four years aboard Quality Road (2010) and Lawyer Ron (2007).  This year Velazquez will be riding Mission Impazible and there might be some value here considering how random this horse can be.  If anyone can get a good effort out of him it will be Velaquez, who has ridden Mission Impazible three times and never finished outside of the money.