Woody Stephens Stakes Picks – Horse Racing Odds, Betting Preview, and Predictions (Jun 6)
- When: Saturday, June 6, 2026 @ 4:52 PM ET
- Where: Saratoga, New York
- How to Watch: FOX/FanDuel TV
A blockbuster undercard is set for Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga on June 6, including a competitive renewal of the G1 Woody Stephens Stakes. You can find the odds and our picks for the Grade One over seven furlongs here.
Woody Stephens Stakes Odds
| Horse | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Crude Velocity | +100 |
| Englishman | +400 |
| Solitude Dude | +800 |
| Glided Bandit | +1000 |
| Other Selections | +1400 & Bigger |
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 7 Furlongs |
| Purse | $500,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | D. Wayne Lukas (4) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith, Edgar Prado, Joel Rosario (3) |
ALSO SEE: World Cup 2026: Our Experts Share Their World Cup Picks
Woody Stephens Stakes: Recent Winners
- 2025: Patch Adams (Luis Saez/Brad Cox)
- 2024: Book’em Danno (Irad Ortiz/Derek Ryan)
- 2023: Arabian Lion (John Velazquez/Bob Baffert)
- 2022: Jack Christopher (Jose Ortiz/Chad Brown)
- 2021: Drain The Clock (Jose Ortiz/Saffie Joseph Jr)
Woody Stephens Stakes: Betting Preview
Red-hot action is set for Saratoga before the gates open for the 2026 Belmont Stakes, as a seven-furlong distance will be covered in the G1 Woody Stephens Stakes.
Crude Velocity looked like a potential superstar for Bob Baffert at Churchill Downs last time, beating the re-opposing Englishman by a comfortable four lengths in the G2 Pat Day Mile. It is challenging to foresee that form being reversed, but the fact that this weekend’s race is over the shorter distance, could enable the beaten horse last time to get closer to the Baffert runner.
Englishman was a horse that I really liked before the race at Churchill Downs, but the Cherie DeVaux runner raced too freely in the opening stages and finished tired. This drop back to seven furlongs should suit.
Six Speed and Taj Mahal ensure that this will be a fast-run race, with the latter having Manuel Franco aboard for the first time after losing his perfect record last time when finishing unplaced in the Preakness Stakes.
Obliteration could be an interesting contender at a bigger price after winning on back-to-back starts this season. Meanwhile, Glided Bandit could be of interest after bouncing back to form for the respected combination of Junior Alvarado and Will Mott.
Woody Stephens Stakes Picks
While the top two in the betting should be respected, the fast pace could suit a runner that is capable of staying slightly further. Therefore, Solitude Dude could be a value play.
The Saffie Joseph-trained runner was an excellent winner of the Bay Shore Stakes last time, and he has previously performed to great respect at a higher level, finishing third and within a couple of lengths of Commandment and Chief Wallabee in the G2 Fountain of Youth. Worth noting that the selection also finished ahead of subsequent Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo in that same race.
Free Pick:
