Havre de Grace confirmed for Woodward Stakes

Havre de Grace definitely will make her next start in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on Sept. 2, it was confirmed late Friday by Rick Porter, whose Fox Hill Farms owns the star filly.

Porter said earlier in the week that he was “95 percent certain” that the Woodward would mark the next start for Havre de Grace, thereby delaying a rematch with archrival Blind Luck, the other top filly in North America. Blind Luck, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, will make her next start in one of three races on Sunday, Aug. 28: the $ 1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, the $250,000 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park, or the $300,000 Personal Ensign at Saratoga.

Based at Delaware Park with trainer Larry Jones, Havre de Grace was defeated a nose by Blind Luck in their most recent of six meetings last month in the Delaware Park.

“Larry and I both agreed we’re definitely going in the Woodward,” said Porter.