Chasing Arthur's Ride through fast fractions in the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes (G1) did not work out for Skippylongstocking, who faded to fifth, but trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has turned the page and "Skippy" seeks a back-to-back victory in the $1 million Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2), to be run Aug. 23 at Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races.
The 1 1/8-mile Classic drew a field of 10 and is scheduled for 10:20 p.m. ET Friday as part of a six-stakes card that also includes the $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G2) and $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds, both at seven furlongs.
Skippylongstocking, a 5-year-old by Exaggerator, is still going strong more than two years after finishing third behind Mo Donegal in the 2022 Belmont Stakes (G1). The six-time graded winner took down the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park earlier this year. Skippylongstocking has won eight times in 25 starts and earned $2,428,985 for owner Daniel Alonso.
"He obviously won this race last year, and we wanted to defend his title, but he had to be doing well after the Whitney to try this, which he was, so here we are again," Joseph said.
Skippylongstocking won the 2023 Charles Town Classic wire to wire over a wet fast track, drawing off to win by five lengths.
Video: Charles Town Classic S. (G2)
"He's a horse that wants to get into a rhythm in :47 or :48 and then build off that," Joseph said. "The key is getting him in a groove where he is comfortable and in a nice rhythm. He seems to run his best races that way.
"He broke so well in the Whitney, but he chased a horse in Arthur's Ride that nothing was gonna beat him on the day. That pace (1:10.28) probably compromised us. It's not in the style he wants to be chasing a hot pace, but we took our chance to win. You ride to win, not to run second."
Whitney rider Jose Ortiz is back onboard in the Classic on the even-money morning-line favorite. Joseph also has the services of Irad Ortiz Jr. on his second entry, Vegso Racing Stable's 2023 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) winner Lord Miles. The 4-year-old son of Curlin is a stretch-running type who ran second in the Hilton at Charles Town last year. Joseph believes he could be better than his 20-1 morning line indicates.
"I feel like he is running back into form. That's why we're taking a chance with him," Joseph said. "I put blinkers back on him last time, and he made a solid run and got even late. We know he likes the track, and the extra distance should help him. I feel like he's sneaky, and we got Irad, which never hurts."
There is no shortage of tactical speed in the field, including West Virginia Governor's Stakes (G3) third Komorebino Omoide, Suburban Stakes (G2) runner-up Bendoog, West Virginia-bred stakes winner Coastal Mission, and Frosted Departure, a front-running, 8 3/4-length winner of the July 28 Deputed Testamony Stakes at Laurel Park.
Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races, Friday, August 23, 2024, Race 11Entries: Charles Town Classic S. (G2)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Lord Miles (KY) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 119 Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 20/1 2 2Warrior Johny (KY) Joel Rosario 119 Philip A. Bauer 12/1 3 3Piroli (KY) Luis Saez 119 Michael W. McCarthy 15/1 4 4Komorebino Omoide (JPN) Ramon A. Vazquez 119 Robertino Diodoro 15/1 5 5Bendoog (KY) Jose Lezcano 119 William I. Mott 7/2 6 6Coastal Mission (WV) Arnaldo Bocachica 119 Jeff C. Runco 6/1 7 7Skippylongstocking (KY) Jose L. Ortiz 121 Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 1/1 8 8Velocitor (ON) David Cohen 119 Gary M. Scherer 12/1 9 9Frosted Departure (KY) Julien R. Leparoux 119 Kenneth G. McPeek 12/1 10 10Double Crown (MD) Justin M. Lewis 119 Matthew Binning 50/1
