Woody Stephens 2021 Entries & Post Positions

The Grade I Woody Stephens has attracted a strong field of three-year-old colts who favor the one-turn shorter distance races.

Six have been entered and our editor has an overview of the runners following the Post Position draw this Tuesday.

One of the best races of 2021 so far was the Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Steve Amussen’s Jackie’s Warrior and Peter Eurton’s Dream Shake went stride for stride down the stretch. Both of them showed everyone watching that they were superb horses around one turn and now on Saturday we get to see a rematch and I reckon it could once again be the race of the day.

Jackie’s Warrior won that day and finally got a winner away from the NYRA circuit. On the Belmont undercard he’s back up in New York and has firmly reminded everybody just how quick he is. The son of Maclean’s Music already has two Grade I wins to his name as a two-year-old and he should be the favorite to get his third on Saturday afternoon. The Morning Line agrees as he opened as a 7-5 shot.

On the other side of this match-up - Dream Shake was mightily impressive in that race and was pointed to the rematch. Another really gutsy horse who hit the board in the San Felipe, Santa Anita Derby and of course that Pat Day Mile. Seems to be getting better and progressing nicely. No surprise that he's the second favorite at 5-2.

Three horses who stepped along the Road to the Kentucky Derby but didn’t make it into the big race have been entered into the Woody Stephens.

Brad Cox trains Caddo River (4-1) and he had enough points to qualify for the Derby with a second-place finish at the Arkansas Derby but a temperature saw him miss out. Nova Rags (8-1) finished second in the Sam F. Davis before ending up fourth in the Florida Derby. Already raced at Belmont at this meet and recorded a second-place finish at the Grade III Peter Pan. Drain the Clock (7-2) won the Grade III Swale before finishing second behind Greatest Honour in the Grade II Fountain of Youth. Clearly a sprinter however and was never considered a serious Derby runner.

Cherie DeVaux has sent Into Mischief colt Tulant Tryst (20-1) up to Belmont from Kentucky and he rounds out the field of six.

Here at HorseRacing.net we'll have comprehensive coverage of the action at Belmont Park throughout the week and on Belmont Stakes day itself. Our in-house handicapper will be handicapping the cards in-depth on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with our turf-man also providing his thoughts on all the Graded Stakes races throughout. They will also provide their thoughts on all the runners in the Belmont Stakes. So keep checking back with us all week for coverage of the Belmont Stakes and all the undercard races.

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