How to bet the Woodhaven Stakes

A good group of sophomores will vie in Saturday’s $150,000 Woodhaven S. at Aqueduct. The eight-furlong event on the sod lacks a standout in my opinion, and I will look to the outside for my top pick. #7 Blinging It Back (7-2) showed promise from his first career run, but it wasn’t until he moved to the turf that he began to really put it all together. 

Woodhaven Wagers

• $20 win #7 Blinging It Back ($20)
• $3 exacta box 1,6,7 ($18)
• $1 trifecta box 1,6,7 ($6)

The $80,000 yearling purchase made good in his grassy bow at Kentucky Downs in the summer, and he concluded his juvenile season with an unplaced run in the Bourbon (G2) at Keeneland, where he didn’t have a great voyage. In his 2026 unveiling, the son of Volatile put in a fine late run to come close in the Cutler Bay S. at Gulfstream Park while facing a nice group, and I expect him to improve second time off the layoff in this spot. 

Blinging It Back recorded a rapid four-furlong drill on the Palm Meadows green in advance of his first try on the local lawn and will have a clear trip throughout from the outside slot in the event, too. Dylan Davis retains the ride. 

The fleet #6 Longshoreman (5-1) concluded his two-year-old season with a runner-up effort in the Futurity (G3) on this strip for conditioner Wesley Ward. The bay son of Twirling Candy flashed considerable ability in 2025 and will go long for the initial time today as the expected pacesetter in the field. The Kentucky-bred colt shows a long string of morning drills in preparation for his return, and I think the eight-furlong voyage will be well within his scope under the right circumstances. Jaime Rodriguez will ride and likely put this one on the front end soon after the opening bell. 

#1 Instability (5-2) was the easiest of winners at Tampa Bay Downs at first asking for trainer Chad Brown. The bay son of Lope de Vega drew off in the lane over a ‘good’ turf course in that effort and comes in fresh for his black-type debut with a nice draw on the rail. The expensive yearling purchase is out of a classy mare, and if the colt moves forward with one under his belt, then he will be a major contender in the feature, with Flavien Prat inheriting the mount.