Yoshida takes to dirt in Woodward triumph
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » With a full field of 14, no clear favorite in the race and a dozen horses striving for their first Grade 1 win (on dirt), it looked as though anything might happen in Saturday’s $750,000 Woodward Stakes. At the very least, there was a good chance the result would be a surprise.
And it was a surprise – at least if one didn’t think the race would be won by a horse who had never before run on dirt. The Japanese-bred Yoshida, who started from the no. 1 hole and was coming off a disappointing fifth as the favorite three weeks ago in the Fourstardave, suddenly shot clear of a wall of horses in
mid-stretch, then drew off for a two-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile handicap- division staple.
“Well, we got our answer,” said winning trainer Bill Mott. “I had a waitand-see attitude [regarding the switch from turf. The horse had worked well on the dirt. This was a pretty impressive run, actually. I don’t think you ever really know how they’ll run on a surface until you try them.”
Favored Gunnevera edged Leofric for the place. They were followed by Rally Cry, Patch, Term of Art, Hence, Tapwrit, Sunny Ridge, Zanotti, Kurilov, Discreet Lover, Seeking the Soul and Imperative. Time of the race was 1:48.94 over a Fast track.
Joel Rosario saved ground with the son of Heart’s Cry, staying well back until midway around the far turn before starting to move on the lead- ers. Leofric and Rally Cry, who had made the running since early in the race, were still there as the field straightened for home. But a herd of horses was bearing down on them. Yoshida was toward the outside of this group and didn’t separate himself from the others right away. When he did, though, and with a clear path to the finish, the outcome was not in doubt.
“He went very nice,” said Rosario. “I was just a passenger. He was taking very nicely to the dirt, and he liked it early on. Turning for home, he was there for me, and he kept going. All my thanks to Bill Mott. I’m glad I won the race for him, and that he gave me the opportunity.”
With the win, Yoshida, who races for Winstar Farm and China Horse Club, becomes a Grade 1 winner on turf and dirt. His turf Grade 1 came in the Old Forester Turf Classic on Derby Day. The grandson of the great Sunday Silence improves to 5-3- 0 in 11 starts.