The Robert G. Leavitt Stakes takes center stage at Charles Town Races on Saturday, July 19, 2025, as Race 7 on the card. This $75,000 stakes sprint for West Virginia-bred 3-year-olds covers 7 furlongs on dirt, and features a deep field of emerging talent, seasoned trainers, and pedigrees built for speed and stamina.
Top Contenders & Pedigree Profiles
| Horse Name | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree Highlights | Morning Line Odds |
| Pascaline | Angel Cruz | Arnaud Delacour | Upstart × Tres Chic | 8-1 |
| Manny Too | Victor Rodriguez | David J. Rose | Uncle Lino × Athena Moon | 13-2 |
| Im the Director | Marshall Mendez | Cynthia E. McKee | Redirect × Cat Thats Grey | 6-5 Favorite |
| Spotafreeone | Arnaldo Bocachica | Jeff C. Runco | Warrior’s Reward × Harbin Ice | 4-5 |
| Fiber Proof | Christian Hiraldo | Stacey R. Viands | Fiber Sonde × Two Hundred Proof | 17-10 |
| Direct Appeal | Christian Maldonado | Frederick Clatterbuck | Redirect × Brooke’s Appeal | 13-5 |
| Ray of Sunshine | Juan Mauricio Nunez | Javier Contreras | Golden Years × Burren Trail (IRE) | 19-10 |
Pedigree Power Plays
Im the Director is a five-time winner with a sharp recent score at Charles Town. His sire Redirect is producing durable sprinters with tactical speed. Spotafreeone enters undefeated in 2025, with a pedigree that blends stamina and acceleration. Warrior’s Reward is known for producing gritty closers. Ray of Sunshine, by Golden Years, has two wins and two seconds in five starts, showing consistency and late kick. Fiber Proof, a son of Fiber Sonde, crushed maiden company by 7½ lengths and looks ready for stakes company.
Jockey & Trainer Dynamics
Angel Cruz and Arnaud Delacour team up with Pascaline, a colt with stakes experience and tactical speed. Arnaldo Bocachica, one of Charles Town’s top riders, partners with Spotafreeone, trained by local legend Jeff Runco. Marshall Mendez rides Im the Director, who’s won 5 of 12 starts and is peaking at the right time. Juan Nunez pilots Ray of Sunshine, who’s coming off a hard-fought win and has never missed the exacta at this track.
Race Strategy
Expect Spotafreeone to press the pace early and try to kick clear in the stretch. Im the Director may stalk and pounce, especially with Mendez’s patient ride. Ray of Sunshine could be the value play, especially if the early pace collapses. Fiber Proof is the wildcard—lightly raced but visually impressive in his maiden win.
