This is a listing of the horses that finished in either first, second, or third place and the number of starters in the Woodward Stakes, an American Grade 1 race for three-year-olds and up, at 1-1/8 miles on dirt held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.[1] [2] Runners who were subsequently named the American Horse of the Year are indicated in bold. (List 1972–present)
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| Year | Winner | Second | Third | Starters | |
| 2022 | Life Is Good | Law Professor | Keepmeinmind | 4 | |
| 2021 | Art Collector | Maxfield | Dr Post | 6 | |
| 2020 | Global Champaign | Tacitus | Prioritize | 5 | |
| 2019 | Preservationist | Hal Harbour | Yoshida | 8 | |
| 2018 | Yoshida | Gunnevera | Leofric | 14 | |
| 2017 | Gun Runner | Rally Cry | Neolithic | 5 | |
| 2016 | Shaman Ghost | Mubtaahij | Frosted | 9 | |
| 2015 | Liam's Map | Coach Inge | Wicked Strong | 8 | |
| 2014 | Itsmyluckyday | Moreno | Prayer For Relief | 9 | |
| 2013 | Alpha | Flat Out | Successful Dan | 5 | |
| 2012 | To Honor and Serve | Mucho Macho Man | Cease | 7 | |
| 2011 | Havre de Grace ‡ | Flat Out | Rule | 8 | |
| 2010 | Quality Road | Mythical Power | Tranquil Manner | 7 | |
| 2009 | Rachel Alexandra ‡ | Macho Again | Bullsbay | 8 | |
| 2008 | Curlin | Past the Point | Wanderin Boy | 7 | |
| 2007 | Lawyer Ron | Sun King | Diamond Stripes | 8 | |
| 2006 | Premium Tap | Second of June | Sun King | 10 | |
| 2005 | Saint Liam | Sir Shackleton | Commentator | 5 | |
| 2004 | Ghostzapper | Saint Liam | Bowman's Band | 7 | |
| 2003 | Mineshaft | Hold That Tiger | Puzzlement | 5 | |
| 2002 | Lido Palace | Gander | Express Tour | 6 | |
| 2001 | Tiznow | 5 | |||
| 2000 | Lemon Drop Kid | Behrens | Gander | 5 | |
| 1999 | River Keen | Almutawakel | Stephen Got Even | 7 | |
| 1998 | Skip Away | Gentlemen | Running Stag | 5 | |
| 1997 | Formal Gold | Skip Away | Will's Way | 5 | |
| 1996 | Cigar | L'Carriere | Golden Larch | 5 | |
| 1995 | Cigar | Star Standard | Golden Larch | 5 | |
| 1994 | Holy Bull | Devil His Due | Colonial Affair | 8 | |
| 1993 | Bertrando | Devil His Due | Valley Crossing | 6 | |
| 1992 | Sultry Song | Pleasant Tap | Out of Place | 8 | |
| 1991 | In Excess | Farma Way | Festin | 6 | |
| 1990 | Quiet American | Rhythm | 8 | ||
| 1989 | Its Academic | Forever Silver | 5 | ||
| 1988 | Alysheba | Forty Niner | Waquoit | 8 | |
| 1987 | Polish Navy | Gulch | Creme Fraiche | 9 | |
| 1986 | Precisionist | Lady's Secret ‡ | Personal Flag | 5 | |
| 1985 | Vanlandingham | Chief's Crown | 6 | ||
| 1984 | Slew o' Gold | Shifty Sheik | Bet Big | 6 | |
| 1983 | Slew o' Gold | Bates Motel | Sing Sing | 10 | |
| 1982 | Island Whirl | Silver Buck | Silver Supreme | 7 | |
| 1981 | Pleasant Colony | Amber Pass | Herb Water | 9 | |
| 1980 | Spectacular Bid | none | none | 1 | |
| 1979 | Affirmed | Coastal | Czaravich | 5 | |
| 1978 | Seattle Slew | Exceller | It's Freezing | 5 | |
| 1977 | Forego | Silver Series | Great Contractor | 10 | |
| 1976 | Forego | Dance Spell | Honest Pleasure | 10 | |
| 1975 | Forego | Wajima | Group Plan | 6 | |
| 1974 | Forego | Arbees Boy | Group Plan | 11 | |
| 1973 | Prove Out | Secretariat | Cougar II | 5 | |
| 1972 | Key to the Mint | Summer Guest ‡ | 5 |
A ‡ designates a Filly or Mare