Woody Stephens Stakes 2021 Results: Drain the Clock shocks with $17 win

The Grade I Woody Stephens kicked off the Graded Stakes action on this loaded Belmont Park card this Saturday. It had been built up as a battle between Jackie's Warrior and Dream Shake. The two of them went hammer and tongs at it down the stretch in the Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby under card so excitement was high that they could produce again.

Our in-house handicapper went for Jackie's Warrior in his preview as he said, 'As well as Dream Shake ran in the Pat Day Mile, and despite the small margin between them at the finish, I don’t really see much reason to believe he’s going to turn the tables on Jackie’s Warrior here. The best performance of Jackie’s Warrior’s sensational campaign came over this track (a win in the G1 Champagne that earned him a Beyer Speed Figure of 100) and the cutback to seven furlongs is going to make him all the more dangerous.'

Our turf-man however liked the value he saw out of Caddo's River, 'With the way I think the tote will go with “2 Minutes to Post,” the #6 might drift toward 7/1. Nothing like horses getting overbet, which in turn creates significant opportunities. That would be a nice gift, and worth a graduated set of wagers.'

For posterity, before they came to post I was on Jackie's Warrior. Love his speed but dislike his stamina. I didn't think that would be a problem going in. The pools seemed to agree as he was 4/5 as they made their way towards the starting gate before drifting to Even money went they got under way.

From the get go there were two horses in it. Favorite Jackie's Warrior and outside Drain the Clock. The former broke terribly but found his way to the front after a couple of furlongs as the two of them went stride for stride down the stretch. They both went extremely wide around the turn but with a furlong to go JW was a length clear but was being caught. About four strides from home the 9-1 outsider Drain the Clock found his way to the front and won by a head. A great Grade I win for Saffie Joesph Jr. and Jose Ortiz picked up the win having taken the mount from his brother who was hurt and is out for a fortnight.

This was a very big surprise and Jackie's Warrior did not run well. Surely he would've had it with a good break but shoulda, coulda, woulda. Drain the Clock won it and is now a Grade I winner. Backers of the winner got a $17 payout for the win.

Dream Shake who was exprected to run well was never in it.