Meet The Nine Runners In The Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes

BusinessSportsMoneyMeet The Nine Runners In The Grade 1 Woody Stephens StakesByDanny Brewer,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Danny Brewer has been covering Thoroughbred/horse racing since 2006.Follow AuthorJun 04, 2026, 11:40pm EDTJun 04, 2026, 11:41pm EDTCrude Velocity stalked a fast early pace and came home impressively in winning the Pat Day MileCoady Photography Renee Torbit Belmont Stakes Day is perhaps the biggest day of racing in the state of New York. There will be seven graded Stakes races run on the same card on which the final leg of the Triple Crown is contested. One of these Stakes is named for a trainer that set the standard for Belmont Stakes brilliance. Woody Stephens enjoyed a career conditioning Thoroughbreds that spanned seven decades. Yes, this Kentucky native won the Kentucky Derby twice (1974, 1984) and the Preakness once (1952), but he is best known for winning five consecutive runnings of the Belmont Stakes (1982-1986). The New York Racing Association renamed the Riva Ridge Stakes in his honor in 2006. A seven-furlong foray for three-year-olds, this edition of the Woody is loaded with speed and promises to be a great race for the speculating public. Packed with talent and carded as race 10, nine horses will compete for their share of $500,000 in this grade 1 event. The race is scheduled for June 6 with an expected post time of 4:52pm eastern. Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. 1 Gilded BanditTrainer: Bill MottJockey: Junior AlvaradoOdds: 8-1Two wins in three career stars with last victory coming in an allowance race on the Kentucky Derby undercard. His father, Charlatan, was super-fast. First start in Stakes company, but might have the stalking style to grab a piece of the pie in the end.2 ObliterationTrainer: Steve AsmussenMORE FOR YOUJockey: John VelazquezOdds: 8-1Most experienced...