Teachintherelease Aims for WV Breeders' Classic Repeat

Defending champion Teachintherelease headlines an expected full field of ten (with two alternates) in this year's renewal of the $300,000 Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders Classic Oct. 10 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

The richest race for West Virginia-breds on the 40th annual West Virginia Breeders Classics card tops a 10-race program that will offer more than $1 million in purses. First post is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET Saturday night.

A 6-year-old son of Windsor Castle, Teachintherelease has built an impressive résumé since being claimed by owner Robert Cole Jr. and trainer Stephen Murdock. In addition to last year's win in the Sam Huff WVBC, he has landed wins in the Frank Gall Memorial and Randy Funkhouser Memorial. The 4-5 morning-line favorite will break from Post 4 under jockey Carlos Lopez.

Jubawithatwist was the 1-5 favorite in this race in 2024 before ultimately finishing third. After only two starts in his 4-year-old season, the son of Juba has been rounding back into top form as a 5-year-old. He followed a trio of credible second-place efforts with a win over top West Virginia-bred sprinter Duncan Idaho in his final prep for the Sam Huff. Antonio Lopez will be tasked with working out a trip from post ten for the 9/2 morning-line second choice.

Trainer Jeff Runco will be represented by a pair of entrants: Spotafreeone (5/1 ML) and Audible Storm (15/1 ML). Spotafreeone is the more accomplished of the two, having won the West Virginia Russell Road Breeders Classic and Robert Leavitt Stakes as a 3-year-old. He's entered off a third-place finish in the Frank Gall Memorial behind Teachintherelease and Jubawithatwist. Arnaldo Bocachica has the call on Spotafreeone, with Jeiron Barbosa named to ride Audible Storm.

Xcellent Start, Neverpopthecork, Defiant Giant, Gimmethatsugar, Fiber Proof, and This Juice B Loose round out the remainder of the body of the field from the rail out, with Youthful Energy and Royal Pain on the also-eligible list should there be any defections. The Classic will go as race 9 on the ten-race program, with a post time of 11:02 p.m ET.

The night's co-featured event is the $125,000 West Virginia Cavada Breeders Classic, which goes as race 8 and features the past two winners of the race—2024 winner Overnight Pow Wow for trainer Cyndy McKee and last year's winner Petty Perfect for trainer Kristy Petty. Overnight Pow Wow was installed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite for this year's Cavada, with Petty Perfect the 5-1 second choice.

West Virginia Breeders Classics festivities begin Friday, Oct. 9 with the Sam Huff Golf Classic in the morning at Locust Hill Golf Course followed by the Breeders Classics Gala that night at Beau Ridge Farm. Eclipse Award winner and multiple broadcasting Hall of Fame member Chris Lincoln will emcee the gala.

Gates will open at 6 p.m ET, Saturday, with live entertainment on the track apron, as well as additional outdoor dining and beverage options. Two-time Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders Classic winner Muad'dib will be honored prior to the first race of the night.