Race Type: Grade II Stakes
Surface: Dirt
Distance: 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs)
Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds & Up
Purse: $1,000,000
Post Time: 10:25 PM ET
Field Size: 8 starters
Full Field Breakdown with Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
| PP | Horse | Age/Sex | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | Odds |
| 1 | Banishing | 5/G | Tyler Gaffalione | David Jacobson | Ghostzapper × Dowager (A.P. Indy) | 7/2 |
| 2 | Awesome Aaron | 6/G | Javier Castellano | Norm W. Casse | Practical Joke × Do the Dance (Discreet Cat) | 10/1 |
| 3 | Alexander Helios | 5/H | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Cairo Prince × Cashmere (Cowboy Cal) | 12/1 |
| 4 | Skippylongstocking | 6/H | Jose L. Ortiz | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Exaggerator × Twinkling (War Chant) | 7/5 |
| 5 | Komorebino Omoide | 5/H | Ramon Vazquez | Robertino Diodoro | California Chrome × Decennial (Trippi) | 10/1 |
| 6 | Trademark | 6/G | Fernando De La Cruz | Victoria H. Oliver | Upstart × Creative Trick (Creative Cause) | 20/1 |
| 7 | Willy D’s | 4/G | Luis Saez | Michael J. Maker | Lookin At Lucky × Boston Mine (Mineshaft) | 3/1 |
| 8 | Gould’s Gold | 4/C | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth G. McPeek | Goldencents × Goose Martini (Bernardini) | 12/1 |
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Skippylongstocking (PP4)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Pedigree: Exaggerator × Twinkling
Key Notes:
Two-time defending Charles Town Classic winner
Tactical speed and stamina over this tight-turn layout
Ortiz knows the horse well and excels in route stakes
Looking to make history with a third consecutive win
Willy D’s (PP7)
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Luis Saez
Pedigree: Lookin At Lucky × Boston Mine
Key Notes:
Improving 4-year-old with sharp allowance win at Ellis Park
Saez is aggressive and fits this gelding’s stalking style
Maker excels with older route horses in second-half campaigns
Could be the upset play if pace collapses
Banishing (PP1)
Trainer: David Jacobson
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Pedigree: Ghostzapper × Dowager
Key Notes:
Comes off a win in the Jeff Hall Memorial Stakes
Ghostzapper progeny thrive at 9 furlongs
Rail draw suits his grinding style
Gaffalione is red-hot off injury return
Komorebino Omoide (PP5)
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
Pedigree: California Chrome × Decennial
Key Notes:
Japanese-bred with strong late kick
California Chrome offspring often excel in deep stretch
Diodoro is dangerous with shippers in big-money races
Gould’s Gold (PP8)
Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Pedigree: Goldencents × Goose Martini
Key Notes:
Finished third in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3)
Goldencents line offers speed and versatility
Could be a pace factor from the outside draw
Betting Strategy
Top Pick: Skippylongstocking — proven class, track record, and elite connections
Value Play: Willy D’s — improving form, strong pedigree, and tactical upside
Exacta Box: 4–7–1
The Grade II Charles Town Classic Stakes is a high-stakes showdown with historical implications. Skippylongstocking seeks a rare three-peat, while contenders like Willy D’s, Banishing, and Komorebino Omoide bring depth and intrigue to the field. With $1 million on the line and elite jockeys like Ortiz, Saez, and Gaffalione in the irons, expect a tactical war from gate to wire.
