• Purse: $500,000
• Distance: 7 Furlongs
• Surface: Dirt
• Eligibility: 3‑Year‑Olds
Venue & Race Details
Location
Saratoga Race Course 267 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, New York A deep, demanding dirt surface with a long stretch that rewards tactical speed, stamina, and horses who can finish strongly at 7 furlongs.
Scheduled Post Time: 5:32 PM ET (Race 10)
Expected Weather & Track Conditions
- Forecast: Sunny and warm
- Temperature: ~83°F
- Wind: 8–12 mph from the southwest
- Track Condition: Fast
- Bias Notes: Saratoga’s 7F configuration favors pressers and stalkers—pure speed can win, but only if the pace isn’t contested.
Field Overview – 2026 Woody Stephens Stakes (G1)
Morning line odds, post positions, connections, running styles, and recent form included.
Post 1 – Prince of Monaco (ML 3/1)
Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Flavien Prat Running Style: Tactical Stalker
Recent Finishes
- 2nd – Pat Day Mile (G2) – 1M – Fast
- 1st – San Felipe (G2) – 1 1/16M – Fast
- 3rd – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) – 1 1/16M – Fast
Analysis
Prince of Monaco cuts back to 7 furlongs, which may be his ideal distance. He has tactical speed, a strong finishing punch, and Prat is elite in one‑turn stakes. Baffert’s sprinter‑milers often peak in early summer.
Strengths: Class edge; perfect cutback; elite connections. Concerns: Must avoid getting shuffled from the rail.
Post 2 – Booth (ML 7/2)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Running Style: Front‑running Speed
Recent Finishes
- 1st – Lafayette Stakes – 7F – Fast
- 2nd – Swale Stakes – 7F – Fast
- 1st – Allowance (KEE) – 6½F – Fast
Analysis
Booth is the likely pace setter. He breaks sharply and dares anyone to go with him. His 7F win at Keeneland was visually impressive, and he’s getting better with each start. Gaffalione will send immediately.
Strengths: Lone‑speed danger; improving; strong pace figures. Concerns: Pressure from outside could soften him late.
Post 3 – Dornoch (ML 4/1)
Trainer: Danny Gargan Jockey: Luis Saez Running Style: Pressing Speed
Recent Finishes
- 4th – Blue Grass Stakes (G1) – 1 1/8M – Fast
- 3rd – Fountain of Youth (G2) – 1 1/16M – Fast
- 1st – Mucho Macho Man Stakes – 1M – Fast
Analysis
Dornoch cuts back sharply from route races, and this 7F distance may unlock his best form. Saez is aggressive and will keep him close to Booth early. If he adapts to the cutback, he becomes a major threat.
Strengths: Tactical speed; class; strong connections. Concerns: Must prove he can sprint effectively.
Post 4 – Nysos (ML 5/1)
Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Juan Hernandez Running Style: Midpack Stalker
Recent Finishes
- 3rd – San Vicente (G2) – 7F – Fast
- 1st – Maiden Special Weight – 6F – Fast
- 2nd – Debut – 6F – Fast
Analysis
Nysos is lightly raced but extremely talented. He has a strong late kick and should sit a perfect trip behind the speed. Hernandez is excellent at timing moves on Baffert sprinters.
Strengths: Upside; strong finishing power. Concerns: Class test; must improve to beat the top three.
Post 5 – El Grande O (ML 8/1)
Trainer: Linda Rice Jockey: Jose Ortiz Running Style: Pressing Speed
Recent Finishes
- 2nd – Bay Shore Stakes (G3) – 7F – Fast
- 1st – Jimmy Winkfield Stakes – 7F – Fast
- 3rd – Jerome Stakes – 1M – Fast
Analysis
El Grande O is a tough, consistent New York‑bred who always fires. He sits just off the leaders and grinds away late. Ortiz fits him perfectly and will keep him in the race early.
Strengths: Consistent; strong mid‑race acceleration. Concerns: Needs a career‑best effort to win.
Post 6 – Muth (ML 6/1)
Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: John Velazquez Running Style: Tactical Stalker
Recent Finishes
- 1st – Arkansas Derby (G1) – 1 1/8M – Fast
- 2nd – Rebel Stakes (G2) – 1 1/16M – Fast
- 1st – San Vicente (G2) – 7F – Fast
Analysis
Muth is a Grade I winner cutting back to 7 furlongs, a distance he has already excelled at. Velazquez is a master at one‑turn stakes and will give him a patient, well‑timed ride.
Strengths: Proven at 7F; elite class; strong connections. Concerns: Needs a clean outside trip.
Pace Projection
Early Leaders
- Booth (P2) – clear speed
- Dornoch (P3) – pressing
- El Grande O (P5) – pressing
Midpack
- Prince of Monaco (P1)
- Muth (P6)
- Nysos (P4)
Expected Shape: Honest to fast pace. Advantage to tactical stalkers—especially Prince of Monaco and Muth.
Power Rankings (Projected Performance)
- Prince of Monaco (P1) – Perfect cutback + ideal trip
- Muth (P6) – Proven Grade I class
- Booth (P2) – Lone‑speed danger
- Dornoch (P3) – Dangerous if he handles the cutback
- Nysos (P4) – Upside play
- El Grande O (P5) – Reliable board hitter
