Repeat wins have been commonplace in the short history of the $1 million Charles Town Classic (G2). Inaugurated in 2009, the Charles Town Classic has been twice by Researcher (2009-10), Imperative (2014, 2017), and Art Collector (2021-22). Friday night at the West Virginia track, Skippylongstocking will look to add his name to that growing list in the three-turn, 1 1/8-mile test.
A five-length winner of the Classic last season, Skippylongstocking has since won a second edition of the Challenger (G3) as well as the Oaklawn H. (G2). He’s thrown in some clunkers, though, including a retreating fifth in the Whitney (G1) when unable to match strides with Arthur’s Ride over a muddy strip.
West Virginia-bred Coastal Mission has won 10 of his 11 previous starts at Charles Town and enters off back-to-back seconds in the Salvator Mile (G3) and John A. Nerud (G2) over shorter distances. Bendoog, meanwhile, enters off a second-place finish in the Suburban (G2) to Crupi, who subsequently finished second in the Whitney.
Also among the field of 10 are Frosted Departure, a recent 8 3/4-length winner of the Deputed Testamony S. at Laurel, and the Grade 3-placed Velocitor and Komorebino Omoide.
The $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G2) for three-year-old fillies over seven furlongs serves as a rematch between the Eight Belles (G2) one-two My Mane Squeeze and Impel. Since that Kentucky Derby weekend feature at Churchill Downs, My Mane Squeeze has run fourth in the Acorn (G1) and third in the Test (G1), while Grade 1-placed Impel was upset as a 3-10 choice in the Indiana Oaks (G3) last time.
Mystic Lake stretches out after winning the Miss Preakness (G3) and finishing second in the Victory Ride (G3). Haulin Ice recently dominated the Azalea S. at Gulfstream, while Saratoga invaders Princess Madison and Roswell step up from the allowance ranks with big chances.
Woody Stephens (G1) winner Book’em Danno is the horse to beat if he runs in the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial for three-year-olds over seven furlongs, but the rising New Jersey-bred star is cross-entered in Saturday’s H. Allen Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga.
Other notables in the Hilton Memorial are Bentornato, third behind Forever Young and Book’Em Danno in the Saudi Derby (G3) when last seen in February, and Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Catalytic.
The $500,000 Pink Ribbon S. for fillies and mares over seven furlongs has attracted Spirit Wind, Clearly Unhinged, and Apple Picker, all of whom are graded winners this year. Free Like a Girl placed twice in Grade 1 company earlier in the season, while Just Katherine narrowly missed in the Bed o’ Roses (G2) two back.
