Willy D's Takes Charles Town Classic Over Prior Winners

The 18th running of the $1 million Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2) was almost a match race between Willy D's and Banishing, as the two geldings were clear of the other eight runners throughout the 1 1/8 miles Aug. 28 at Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races. The Mike Maker-trained Willy D's pulled away from Banishing to win by 1 3/4 lengths, while controlling the pace through fractions of :23.94, :47.25, and 1:11.66. After 6 furlongs, Willy D's and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. led by a half-length, with Banishing 4 lengths clear in second. The two went head and head around the far turn, but Banishing could not keep up. Into the stretch, Willy D's opened a clear lead and powered home to victory. Skippylongstocking closed for third. The winner, owned by Paradise Farms and Case Chambers, was bred in Kentucky by Beau Lane. He finished the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50.68 and paid $16.40. After running fifth in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) back in June, Willy D's was sent off as the fifth choice in the wagering and did not disappoint his backers, defeating the previous two winners of the race. Second-place finisher Banishing won last year's edition, while third-place runner Skippylongstocking was victorious in both 2023 and 2024. Willy D's is the second graded stakes winner this year for sire Lookin At Lucky, who also had Test Score prevail in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) at Gulfstream Park. Out of the Mineshaft mare Boston Mine, Willy D's is now a grade 2 winner with earnings of more than $1.5 million.