SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When Kevin Plank earlier this year began the process of winding down his holdings in Thoroughbred racing, one horse he wanted to retain an interest in was Global Campaign. So even though he sold a piece of the son of Curlin to WinStar Farm earlier this year, Plank’s Sagamore Farm kept a 50-percent interest in the horse’s racing career and a third interest in his future as a stallion. On Saturday, Global Campaign increased his value in both areas as well as earning his way into the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic by winning the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga. “We sold some nice horses, but one of the ones we wanted to hang onto was this guy,” said Hunter Rankin, the racing manager for Plank’s Sagamore Farm. “We always thought he was really, really talented. Physical issues have kept him from being one of the top horses, but hopefully he’s turned the corner on some of that stuff and we’ll take another big swing hopefully in the fall.” :: DRF's Saratoga headquarters – Stakes schedule, previews, recaps, past performances, and more Rankin was referring to the Classic, which will most likely be Global Campaign’s next start on Nov. 7 at Keeneland. In the Woodward, Global Campaign was sent to the lead by Luis Saez, and though he didn’t change leads in the stretch, he was able to beat the multiple Grade 2 stakes winner Tacitus by 1 3/4 lengths. Global Campaign ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.40 and earned a career best 104 Beyer Speed Figure. “I don’t think the race was too hard on him,” Rankin said. “He’s a funny horse, he’s got a mind of his own. He didn’t switch leads, but that wasn’t a sign of being tired, I just think he didn’t want to switch leads for whatever reason. Luis obviously left him alone and rode him great.” Global Campaign was expected to return to trainer Stan Hough’s Kentucky barn by Monday afternoon to train up to the Classic. It remains to be seen if Plank gets entirely out of horse racing, but if he is headed in that direction there is a chance he could go out on a high note in the Breeders’ Cup. “I always wanted to get him that horse that made it all kind of worth it,” Rankin said. “We always thought this was the guy to do that and to be that horse that transcends the farm and for him to be able to look at him and say we did what we set out to accomplish. We may not have won the Derby, we may not have won a [3-year-old] classic, but we have a hell of a horse and he might not be done yet.” Meanwhile, Woodward runner-up Tacitus, second as the 3-5 favorite, came out of the race well and will most likely be pointed to the Grade 1, $250,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on Oct. 10 and then the Breeders’ Cup Classic, trainer Bill Mott said. “Why not?” Mott said. “He’s still running, it doesn’t matter who he runs against, he’s right there. If he gets the right pace scenario maybe one day he’s got a big one out there for him.”