Bill Mott looks to win his fifth Woodward with Tacitus
Bill Mott looks to win his fifth Woodward with Tacitus
By the NY Hot List Staff // Friday, September 4
Trainer Bill Mott knows how to win the Woodward. He has done it four times already – twice with the great Cigar in 1995 and 1996, in 2012 with To Honor and Serve, and most recently with Yoshida in 2018.
Mott is currently tied with fellow Hall of Famers Elliot Burch and Bobby Frankel for the most wins in the Woodward. Tacitus, who is the even money favorite in the morning line, could give him a record setting victory.
As 3-year-old, Tacitus won the Wood Memorial (G2) and then faced stiff competition around the world until he found the winner’s circle again in the Suburban (G2) at Belmont Park in July of this year.
“He had done a lot of travelling earlier in the year,” Mott said. “The Oaklawn race could have been a mistake, but at least we came back and capitalized on the next race being the Suburban. Right after Oaklawn, we decided we would wait for it.”
As is the case with many colts that are sired by Tapit, Tacitus needed time to mature and settle down.
“His energy level has been good,” Mott said. “Naturally, he’s a more mature horse from last year, which is normal. He feels good early in the morning before he goes out and he gets geared up and anxious to go once he gets going. He’s good to ride and he’s easy enough on himself to where he can take care of himself.”
Here’s the Hot List picks for the Woodward Stakes:
The $500,000 Woodward Stakes (G1), Saratoga, Saturday, Race 11.
(2) Tacitus got back in the winner’s circle in the Suburban (G2) at Belmont with an overwhelming 8 ¾ length victory while going ten furlongs. It certainly doesn’t hurt the Bill Mott trainee that the Woodward has returned to the mile and a quarter distance. That recent win certainly has to help the confidence of the son of Tapit as he now seeks his first Grade 1 win. (3) Moretti finished second in the Suburban but came back from that to win the 14-furlong Birdstone at Saratoga. Clearly, the distance will not be a problem for the Todd Pletcher runner as the trainer tries to win his fourth Woodward. (5) Spinoff was a late running winner for Pletcher in the Alydar at the Spa by almost three lengths against a strong field. (6) Prioritize won an allowance race for the hot Bond barn by a neck over Money Moves who will be in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Analysis of the other New York Hot List races from the Woodward card, including the Special Saturday Pick 3, is available free of charge at this website.