Skippylongstocking has long shown flashes of talent against quality competition, winning a trio of Grade 3 stakes and placing third in the 2022 Belmont (G1). Now he’s a millionaire thanks to a resilient triumph in Friday’s $1 million Charles Town Classic (G2) at Charles Town.
The result was never really in doubt. Skippylongstocking broke on top under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, carved out splits of :24.82, :48.88, and 1:14.17, and opened up through the final three furlongs to dominate the 1 1/8-mile contest by five lengths in 1:51.37.
Longshot O’Connor rallied to finish second over Dash Attack and Muad’dib, who chased Skippylongstocking for much of the journey. Call Me Fast, Giant Game, Double Crown, Doppelganger, Perfect Flight, and Eastern Bay completed the order of finish.
With six wins from 19 starts, Skippylongstocking has banked $1,507,185 in earnings. Saffie Joseph Jr. conditions the four-year-old bay colt, who races in the colors of Daniel Alonso.
Skippylongstocking wasn’t the only noteworthy winner on Friday’s stakes-packed card. The $250,000 Pink Ribbon S. drew a surprisingly strong field of fillies and mares sprinting seven furlongs on dirt. Last year’s Cotillion (G1) winner Society started as the 1-2 favorite while returning to the site of her blowout score in the 2022 Charles Town Oaks (G3), and the result was a 5 1/2-length romp in the sharp time of 1:23.11.
The victory under Tyler Gaffalione marked Society’s second straight stakes score, following a track-record-setting win in the Chicago (G3) at Ellis Park. Defending Pink Ribbon winner Frank’s Rockette settled for second place behind the Steve Asmussen-trained winner, followed by Heartyconstitution, Shoshoni Moon, and Majestic Ways.
Only time will tell if Vahva can achieve the same level of success as Society, but she’s traveling down a similar path after posting a determined score in the $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G3) for three-year-old fillies. Coming off a third-place finish in the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont Park, Vahva tracked the pace from third place before rallying in the final furlong to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:25.01.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez rode the daughter of Gun Runner on behalf of trainer Cherie DeVaux. Undervalued Asset edged pacesetter Late Frost by a nose for second place, with Metaphysical, Lily Poo, Imonra, Interpolate, Hoosier Philly, Opus Forty Two, and Chismosa completing the order of finish.
Vahva’s winning time stacked up well against the 1:25.88 required by three-year-old males to complete the $350,000 Robert Hilton Memorial over the same distance. Chick Lang (G3) winner Ryvit was favored to win, but faltered from a pace-tracking position to finish fifth. In the meantime, Damon’s Mound survived a pace duel to kick clear in the final furlong and win by two lengths for jockey Junior Alvarado and trainer Michelle Lovell.
The victory ended a five-race losing streak for Damon’s Mound, who hadn’t visited the winner’s circle since taking the 2022 Saratoga Special (G2). Wood Memorial (G2) winner Lord Miles rallied from last place to finish second, followed by Ghost Hero, Prince of Jericho, Ryvit, Swirvin, Picture This, Coffeewithchris, Super Accelerate, and Toddchero.
