Trainer Steve Asmussen has two wins in The Woodward Stakes , both with horses crowned Horse of the Year that same year: Rachel Alexandra (2009) and Curlin (2008). This year he trains betting favorite and Whitney Stakes winner Gun Runner. Interestingly, the New York stewards have denied Gun Runner owner Ron Paolucci’s entry of May B for the Woodward Stakes because they did not feel he was in the race to win. Paolucci was planning to have May B serve as a pacemaker, or rabbit, to help keep Gun Runner company on the front end and assist Paolucci’s other starter, War Story. But then, a common refrain among his connections is that the son of Candy Ride doesn't change, it's the scenery around him that changes. Gun Runner will just have to do without his rabbit, as he headlines the US$750,000 Woodward Stakes.
He will face just four other entrants in the race, the most notable being Neolithic, who finished third in both the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) and Dubai World Cup before he was sidelined with a respiratory illness. Graded stakes winner War Story finished fourth last time out in the Whitney after his rabbit, Cautious Giant, did little to Gun Runner other than give him a souvenir.
Sr |
Horse |
Age |
Sex |
Pedigree |
Trainer |
Owner |
Race Form |
| 1 | Neolithic | 4 | Colt | Harlan's Holiday (USA) - Swingit (USA) (Victory Gallop (USA)) | Todd Pletcher | Qatar Racing and Starlight Racing | 1,3,1 |
| 2 | Gun Runner | 4 | Chestnut Colt | Candy Ride (ARG) - Quiet Giant (USA) (Giant's Causeway (USA)) | Steven Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds And Three Chimneys Farm | 1,1,2 |
| 3 | Rally Cry | 4 | Colt | Uncle Mo (USA) - Alienated (USA) (Gone West (USA)) | Todd Pletcher | Paul Pompa, Jr | 1,6,1 |
| 4 | War Story | 5 | Chestnut Gelding | Northern Afleet (USA) - Belle Watling (USA) (Pulpit (USA)) | Jorge Navarro | Loooch Racing Stables, Inc , Ellis, Glenn K And Imaginary Stables | 4,1,3 |
| 5 | Discreet Lover | 4 | Bay Colt | Repent (USA) - Discreet Chat (Discreet Cat (USA)) | Uriah St Lewis | Trin-Brook Stables, Inc | 5,3,7 |
1) Neolithic 2) Gun Runner 3) Rally Cry