The Woodward - September 3, 2011

Race Conditions:          Grade 1, 3+, 9F, Dirt, Saratoga

Race Class Par:                            114 
Race Class Rating:                       111

Winner's Time/Quality Rating:     111

Pace:  Slow Early/Fast Average Middle/Average Late

Track Condition and Bias:  Honest and Fast

Race Comments:  In the 2011 Woodward, Havre de Grace put herself on the short list of great mares that have beaten Grade 1 older males over a route of ground.  While the quality of the field was not up to the standards of some of the Woodwards of the past, Flat Out appears to be a legitimate Grade 1 older horse.  Beating him was no easy task. It took a great mare to do that. Time will tell whether the connections will try the much deeper waters of the Breeders Cup Classic later this year.      

Notable Performances:

1. Havre de Grace -  Settled behind horses 3w then 4w first turn, move to challenge 3w second turn, wore down Rule and held the advantage over Flat Out.  While Havre de Grace is slowly building a resume befitting a great race mare, I'm not entirely convinced she's better than Flat Out.  Her advantageous style keeps her out of duels, but more importantly it often gives her first run over deeper closers when the pace is modest or slow. That advantage contributed to her wins over Blind Luck and may have been the difference in the Woodward.  Don't get me wrong, this is great mare with the potential to put herself on the short list of all time greats, but if her connections decide to try the boys in the Classic, she will probably face more competitive circumstances.

2. Flat Out - Settled near the back of the pack, raced 3w on the first turn, rallied 3w on the second turn, got up for the place but could not catch the winner while finishing OK.  Not only am I not entirely convinced that Havre de Grace is better than him, I am also not entirely convinced that Tizway will be as effective going 10F as he is going 8F and 9F.  Flat Out has not been tested going 10F, but at this stage I have to think he's going to be a major player in the Classic.


3. Rule - Set a modest pace on the inside and held to mid stretch.

4. Mission Impazible - Inside just behind the pace early, moved out 2w to stalk Rule the entire way, weakened late.

6. Gaint Oak  - Raced much closer than usual while 2w on both turns, swung out in the stretch, but didn't have his usual kick.