Goodwood Stakes – GI
$300.00 For Three Year Olds And Upward
1 1/8 Miles – Dirt
Santa Anita Park – September 26, 2026

Big Dog came into the Goodwood a lightly raced three-year-old with a winning record and a G3 win over the summer to his credit. He was also just coming off of a ninth-place finish in the G1 Travers where he had not shown much. He obviously did not show his best that day. I called him an “intriguing wild card” in the preview, but I did not make him one of the picks. He exits the Goodwood a G1 winner with a Willy Wonka golden ticket granting access to the starting gate for the Breeders Cup Classic. Very intriguing.

Winner: Big Dog 
Owner: John Henry
Jockey: L.Contreras
Breeder: Wood Duck Stables (Fla) – Demon/Tease The Rooster (Worst Case Scenario)

Bounded out of gate eight and was encouraged to take the lead and cross over to the rail in the leadup to the first turn. Was stalked down the backstretch by Test The Waters and Demonic Chant and carried that lead into the stretch where no one was able to mount any kind of threat and he crossed under the wire the easiest of winners with everything his own way in an impressive wire to wire win. 

Second: Tube
Owner: Spankys Barn
Jockey: T. Gaffalione
Breeder: Williams9 (Pa) – Racing Plate/Pirate Romantique (Romantic Pirate)

Went into the first turn forwardly placed right behind the winner with several stalkers but then was allowed to settle in a pocket in a comfortable and unhurried fifth down the backstretch. The reins were shaken up a bit moving into the far turn and Tub responded willingly and appeared to be the main threat along with Test The Waters at the top of the stretch. The winner proved too strong to mount a challenge for the win but Tube put away Test The Waters in the final stages and was gritty enough to hold off a fast closing Power Grid. 

Third: Power Grid
Owner: The Sidley Stud
Jockey: P. Lopez
Breeder: Panionios Racing (WV) – Power/Laskarina Bouboulina (Grandeur)

Was taken way back to tenth for the first half of the race well of the pacesetter. Began to inch forward with a half of a mile left. Found a nice path through the field and hit his best stride late while keeping inside. Was moving best of all at the end of the race earning third.

Fourth: Test The Waters
Owner: Mb Stables
Jockey: J.R. Velasquez
Breeder: Mb Stables (ON) – Sweet Sweat/Blue Indigo (Commanding)

Had a nice stalking trip all the way around the track and was perfectly positioned to make a run at the winner down the lane but never was able to find a gear late to threaten and eventually gave way to be just caught for third in the final strides. 

Preview Pick: Test The Waters – Fourth

This was the first win in the G1 Goodwood Stakes for both owner/trainer John Henry and jockey L. Contreras. Big Dog earned his fourth win in eight career starts. The Goodwood was his second graded stakes victory and his first G1 triumph. The $180.00 winner’s share of the purse brings the three year old colt’s earnings to a total of $417.20.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES