Unbeaten Charlatan reportedly may run Woody Stephens Stakes instead of Belmont Stakes

It was reported earlier this week that unbeaten 3-year-old colt Charlatan had tested positive for a banned substance following his win in early May at the Arkansas Derby. If a second test reconfirmed the first positive, Charlatan would have been disqualified from the Arkansas Derby, lost his $300,000 purse and 100 qualifying points he earned toward the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby -- not to mention facing a possible suspension that would have put his status for the June 20 Belmont Stakes in jeopardy.

Charlatan is a +400 third-favorite on the moneyline odds for the Belmont, but that point may be moot now. According to BloodHorse's Bob Ehalt, Charlatan's Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert "will most likely point Charlatan toward the seven-furlong, $250,000 Woody Stephens Stakes" on the undercard of the Belmont Stakes.

The site also reported that running in the Woody Stephens was being discussed even before the positive drug test. Baffert already will run Nadal in the Belmont, and that colt is +250 co-favorite with Tiz the Law.

"In a perfect world, both of them will not start in the Belmont, but we'll see," Baffert said to BloodHorse about Charlatan and Nadal, adding that the seven-furlong sprint could serve as Charlatan's springboard back to two turns at the July 18 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park.

The Woody Stephens Stakes was named after the Hall of Fame trainer (who won five straight Belmont Stakes) in 2006 – it began in 1985 as the Riva Ridge Stakes. That horse won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1972. The Woody Stephens had been a Grade II event but was upgraded to Grade I last year and won by Hog Creek Hustle.

The race is open to 3-year-olds and Baffert has trained two winners, American Anthem in 2017 and Bayern in 2014. Charlatan, 3-0 this year/career, would be a clear-cut favorite in the Woody Stephens Stakes. 

Which horse wins the Belmont Stakes 2020? And which double-digit long shot is a must-back? Check out Jody Demling's picks for the 2020 Belmont Stakes and find out.