Sunday, September 2, 2018 |
Wooderson lost position early and ran well to finish 2nd beaten a short 1/2 length in a salty allowance race going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga yesterday afternoon VIDEO
Breaking from post position 4 of 7, Wooderson and John Velazquez were slightly bothered by Lenstar (3) who broke sharply on top. Velazquez couldn't secure an optimal position off Lenstar in the clear as eventual winner Weather Wiz (5) and Javier Castellano took advantage of the opening and secured that spot.
As they raced around the first turn, Velazquez was forced to take a hold of Wooderson while taking kickback. After an opening quarter mile in :23.96, our three-year-old son of Awesome Again raced in third just off the rail down the backstretch and was only 1 1/2 lengths back.
Through a half mile in :48.01, Wooderson is in good stride but with Weather Wiz to his outside, Velazquez is at the mercy of Catsellano who only has a head advantage at the time. Racing around the far turn, Velazquez has to forfeit ground and allow Castellano to advance in order get Wooderson out in the clear which costs him more than two lengths.
Coming out of the far turn, Velazquez shakes up Wooderson and guides him outside Weather Wiz who took the lead at the top of the stretch. With clear sailing, Velazquez goes to work, and Wooderson responds with a strong run through the lane. At the sixteenth pole, Wooderson looks like he may get up late, but Weather Wiz kicks on as he feels the pressure and lasts to the wire a short diminishing 1/2 length best in a final time of 1:49.34. Post time favorite, Plainsman (7), was a fast closing 3rd another 1/2 length back CHART