Crude Velocity puts undefeated record on the line in an explosive Woody Stephens Stakes

The Bob Baffert trainee arrives undefeated and fresh off a dominant victory in the Pat Day Mile, but he will face a top-tier field spearheaded by Obliteration, Six Speed, Solitude Dude, and Englishman

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special to Turf Diario).– If anything was missing from the already extraordinary program of the 2026 Belmont Stakes Festival, it was a race for 3-year-old sprinters capable of stealing a large share of the spotlight. And that is exactly what the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) promises—the traditional 1400-meter event that will gather several of the generation's best individuals this Saturday at Saratoga.

At the center of the stage will be Crude Velocity, the undefeated pupil of Bob Baffert, who will look to extend his perfect record to 4 victories in as many starts and consolidate his position as one of the most promising sprinters in the United States.

Representing CSLR Racing Partners, the son of Beau Liam is coming off a stellar performance in the Pat Day Mile(G2) held on Kentucky Derby (G1) day, where he confirmed everything he had previously hinted at in California. Following two impressive successes at Santa Anita, the dark bay once again demonstrated class and acceleration to authoritatively defeat Englishman (Maxfield), one of the rivals he will face once more.

Baffert, who has already won this race with Bayern (Offlee Wild), American Anthem (Bodemeister), and Arabian Lion (Justify), did not hide his respect for the competition his trainee will have ahead:

"Englishman is a horse I have a lot of respect for. Having caught and passed him was very important. They are two very good horses and I think we will have a great race," the trainer commented.

The opposition will be fierce. Among the main names appears Obliteration, trained by Steve Asmussen, who comes off a solid victory in the Chick Lang Stakes during Preakness day. The son of Violence is already familiar with Saratoga, where last season he won the Sanford Stakes (G3) and finished second in the Saratoga Special (G2), meaning he arrives with plenty of credentials to attempt the definitive leap.

Asmussen will also saddle Stradale (Yaupon), always competitive and with prominent performances in stakes events, while another name of immense interest is Six Speed, now under the care of George Weaver. The son of Not This Time was a key protagonist during the winter at Meydan, where he won the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) and was subsequently second in the UAE Derby (G2) before participating in the Kentucky Derby. Following that experience over 2000 meters, he will now return to a distance better suited to his sprinting characteristics.

Solitude Dude cannot be discounted either, winner of 4 of his 5 outings and victor in the Swale and Bay Shore stakes, both over the same distance he will face now. His trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr., believes that the son of Solitude Dude will find his best scenario in one-turn journeys.

Another contender with the potential to surprise is Civil Liberty (Independence Hall), who arrives after breaking his maiden at Keeneland and who was already very close to defeating Crude Velocity in March. His evolution during the season has been evident, and both his jockey, Antonio Fresu, and trainer Doug O'Neill believe he still has plenty of room to progress.

The field is completed by the aforementioned Englishman, coming off a great performance in the Pat Day Mile; Taj Mahal (Nyquist), who will attempt to bounce back after losing his undefeated record in the Preakness Stakes; and Gilded Bandit (Charlatan), a pupil of Bill Mott who will face his first stakes experience following a series of highly promising efforts.

With several stakes winners, figures coming from the Triple Crown, and an undefeated colt looking to confirm his stature, the Woody Stephens looms as one of the most attractive races of the weekend. And there, amidst a field loaded with speed and talent, Crude Velocity will attempt to prove that he has yet to find his limit.