Paynter new favorite for Woodward Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Saratoga Springs, NY (Sports Network) - The defection of Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned from Saturday's $750,000 Woodward Stakes has changed the complexion of the Saratoga race, necessitating a new morning-line favorite.

Saratoga Race Course oddsmaker Eric Donovan has made Paynter the new 2-1 program favorite for the 1 1/8-mile Woodward. When post positions were drawn Wednesday, Whitney runner-up Successful Dan was the 5-2 favorite and Paynter, trained by Bob Baffert, was the 3-1 second pick.

Successful Dan is now the 5-2 second choice followed by Flat Out (3-1), Mucho Macho Man (9-2), Ron the Greek (8-1) and Alpha (12-1). Fort Larned had been the 4-1 fourth selection.

The Woodward has an approximate post-time of 5:45 p.m. (ET) and will be shown live on the NBC Sports Network.