Skippylongstocking to Seek Second Charles Town Classic

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. plans to bring back two of his top racehorses—The Queens M G and Skippylongstocking—in graded races later this month. C Two Racing Stable and Mathis Stable's romping Adirondack Stakes (G3) winner, The Queens M G, is pointed to the $300,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course, while Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking is aimed toward a return appearance Aug. 23 in the $1 million Charles Town Classic (G2), a race he won in 2023. The latter weakened to fifth most recently in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga after chasing front-running winner Arthur's Ride. "He ran alright, and ideally he doesn't like to chase that kind of fast pace, but he was in a perfect spot and if you let the winner go any more, he would have won even easier," Joseph said. "We had to chase a horse who is very good, and full credit to the winner—he ran fast and kept going and was the best horse on the day by far." The Adirondack was the second graded win of the meet for Joseph, who also captured the July 24 Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) July 24 with Miller Racing's Spirit Wind, who will run next in either the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Aug. 24 or the $500,000 Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon Stakes going the same distance one day earlier at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. "She's doing well, and she will probably go to Charles Town, but it's not 100% yet," said Joseph. "If she does run here, it would probably be in the Ballerina, but it's not decided just yet." The trainer added he may have at least two more stakes prospects for upcoming events at Saratoga, noting that Movin' On Up, a three-time winner on turf and synthetic, is possible for a try dirt for the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug. 17 and impressive off-the-turf maiden winner Reach for the Rose will set his sights on the $175,000 With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) Aug. 29. Meanwhile, multiple grade 1 winner White Abarrio is back under tack after about one month of rest at GMP Farm just outside of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The reigning Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) victor was a last-out fifth in the June 8 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. before being moved back to the care of Joseph, who conditioned the son of Race Day from October 2021 through March 2023. "He's coming back in on Monday," Joseph said. "No target yet, we don't even have a date until we start breezing. We've got dreams for the rest of the year, but want to let him work before we decide on anything." Joseph trained White Abarrio to earn the first of his three grade 1 wins in the 2022 Florida Derby (G1), as well as a score in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) prior to that. The talented gray or roan horse has won more than $5.1 million in purses with a 7-1-3 record in 17 starts.