SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Heavily favored Quality Road cruised to a 434-length victory in the $100,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, drawing away to a clear lead in the stretch en route to the win.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Quality Road, a 3-10 favorite ridden by John Velazquez, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 and earned $450,000 for owner Edward P. Evans.
Quality Road paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10. Runner-up Mythical Power returned $5.90 and $4.40 and Tranquil Manner earned $4.60 to show.
The Woodward was Quality Road’s fourth win in five starts this season, third in a Grade 1 race, and follows a defeat at the hands of Blame, who was not in the Woodward’s field of seven, in the Whitney Invitational at Saratoga on Aug. 7.
