How to bet the Woodward Handicap

A field of six handicap runners will take aim at the $500,000 Woodward H. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday.

Woodward Analysis

#4 Global Campaign and #5 Spinoff are most likely to go to the lead early on and establish a mild pace. They will not separate much from the rest of the field, however.

Woodward Contenders

#1 MATH WIZARD (12-1) – 2019 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) victor is winless in five starts since registering his biggest score to date and has missed the board in four of those outings for Saffie Joseph. Chestnut colt wheels back in a week after running at Charles Town, and he is hard to get excited about in his current form cycle. Joel Rosario has the call.

#2 TACITUS (1-1) – The clear one to beat from the Bill Mott shedrow ran off to a daylight victory in the Suburban (G2) at Belmont last time out. Consistently very good 4-year-old was second in the Travers (G1) and Jim Dandy (G2) over this track as a sophomore, and another convincing win on Saturday will rank him among the top handicap horses currently in training. Jose Ortiz will be in the silks.

#3 MORETTI (8-1) – One of two from the Pletcher barn has never been better with three wins from his last four starts. Medaglia d’Oro colt cuts back in distance following a measured tally in the Birdstone S. on this strip last time out, and I like his chances to get a minor award on Saturday in his second local showing. Jose Lezcano will be in the stirrups.

#4 GLOBAL CAMPAIGN (5-2) – Talented son of Curlin earned a career-best 108 Brisnet Speed rating in his game Monmouth Cup (G3) triumph for Stanley Hough. Third in the Jim Dandy (G2) here last season, the 4-year-old shows five solid morning drills in anticipation of his second start since the spring. Luis Saez will guide the likely pacesetter.

#5 SPINOFF (3-1) – Pletcher pupil proved quite capable at 1 1/8 miles when dominating the Alydar S. over this surface in his latest venture, and 1 1/4 miles might be within his scope if he shows any kind of improvement on Saturday. Hard Spun colt is 2-for-3 with a third at the Spa, and his tactical speed will always have him in range under Irad Ortiz.

#6 PRIORITIZE (15-1) – Late runner is vastly improved since moving to the dirt four back, posting four consecutive top-two finishes for H. James Bond. Gelded son of Tizway is not proven at this level and could also be compromised by a slow pace, but he is not without a top-three chance if he takes another step forward. Eric Cancel has the assignment.

Woodward Wagers

• $30 Exacta: 2 with 3 ($30)
• $8 Exacta: 2 with 6 ($8)