Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is gearing up for another shot at the $1 million Charles Town Classic (G2) on August 23, where he will send out two contenders: defending champion Skippylongstocking and stablemate Lord Miles. Skippylongstocking, who set the pace in the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes (G1) but faded to fifth, is back to defend his title in the 1 1/8-mile race at Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races.
The Classic has drawn a competitive field of 10 and is scheduled for 10:20 p.m. ET on Friday, as part of a six-stakes card that also features the $750,000 Charlestown Oaks (G2) and $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds.
Skippylongstocking, a 5-year-old son of Exaggerator, has remained consistent since finishing third in the 2022 Belmont Stakes (G1). The six-time graded stakes winner secured a victory in this year’s $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and boasts a career record of eight wins in 25 starts, earning $2,428,985 for owner Daniel Alonso.
Joseph expressed confidence in Skippylongstocking’s readiness: "He obviously won this race last year, and we wanted to defend his title. After the Whitney, he was doing well, so here we are again." Last year, Skippylongstocking dominated the Charles Town Classic, leading from start to finish on a wet fast track to win by five lengths.
Joseph emphasised the importance of getting Skippylongstocking into his preferred rhythm: "He’s at his best when he can settle into a pace of :47 or :48 and build from there. In the Whitney, he broke well but got caught chasing Arthur’s Ride through hot fractions. That pace (1:10.28) didn’t suit him, but we took our shot to win."
Jose Ortiz, who rode Skippylongstocking in the Whitney, is back aboard as the even-money morning-line favourite. Joseph’s other entry, Vegso Racing Stables’ Lord Miles, will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. The 4-year-old son of Curlin, who won the 2023 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), has shown an affinity for the track and could surprise at 20-1 odds. Joseph believes the added distance will play to Lord Miles’ strengths: "He’s rounding back into form, and the blinkers have helped him. We know he likes the track, and with Irad aboard, he could be sneaky."
The field features plenty of tactical speed, including West Virginia Governor’s Stakes (G3) third-place finisher Komorebino Omoide, Suburban Stakes (G2) runner-up Bendoog, West Virginia-bred stakes winner Coastal Mission, and Frosted Departure, who scored a dominant front-running win in the July 28 Deputed Testimony Stakes at Laurel Park.