A solid group of state-bred older horses clashed in the latest edition of the $75,000 Confucius Say Stakes Saturday night at Charles Town Races.

Named in honor of the West Virginia-bred millionaire who was among the inaugural class of six horses inducted into the West Virginia-bred Hall of Fame in 2022, the Confucius Say featured virtually all of the top state-bred older horses except for reigning two-time horse of the year Coastal Mission.

But Coastal Mission’s trainer Jeff Runco was nevertheless represented by a pair of solid runners, millionaire Muad’dib and the durable Social Chic, the full-brother to Pascaline, last year’s champion state-bred two-year-old boy who made his seasonal debut on Saturday in the Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct.

When the gates opened in the Confucius Say, Paymengold, Lord of Cork and Rocket Appeal all displayed their usual good early speed and insured a rapid tempo initially, while Jungle Beast, Muad’dib, Social Chic and No Change, patented late runners, all bided their time early.

Paymengold led through a quarter-mile in 23.72 seconds and a half in 47.99, but by then his lead was down to a half-length.

When the serious running. began on the far turn, Jungle Beast launched his bid three-wide then Social Chic and No Change both got into the fray four- and five-wide, respectively. Inside the furlong pole, Social Chic had wrestled command from Jungle Beast, and he just outlasted the late surge from No Change for a head score, stopping the timer in 1:27.06 in a triumphant seasonal debut as the 3-1 second choice.

No Change, with Marshall Mendez up, was second, 3 ½ lengths ahead of Jungle Beast (Carlos Lopez), who finished third. Muad’dib, the tepid 2.30-1 favorite, got into contention with a furlong to go but could not make a further impact and finished fourth. Paymengold faded to fifth after his early exertions.

A seven-year-old Upstart gelding trained by Jeff Runco for owner Smart Angle LLP, Social Chic gamely prevailed in his 2025 bow and now owns a solid 13-13-3 skate and over $485,000 banked from 35 career tries.

“Jeff definitely had him ready,” said jockey Angel Cruz, who had been tossed from his mount soon after the outset of the fourth race and retained his mounts while battling a sore right foot. “There was a lot of speed up front, so I just wanted to stay clear going into the far turn. No Change is tough. My horse dug in, but that was some horse race.”

“Really, the best thing for him was to get some time off after last year,” Runco said. “He’s going to have another busy campaign in the summer and fall. He might get another break before I look for another race for him.”

Breeder James F. Miller was on hand for the winners’ circle presentation after returning from New York, where he watched Social Chic’s full-brother Pascaline finish a solid third in the Bay Shore Stakes in a useful season debut. It marked the second straight night on which a horse bred by Miller won a Charles Town stake, as Mendys Honey took Friday’s Original Gold.

One race prior to the Confucius Say, Moonlit Kiss (Larry Reynolds) lived up to her role as the 3-5 favorite in a one-turn allowance dash for fillies and mares when she engaged in a prolonged duel with Bella Mela from the outset and then finally wore that one down late for a head score. A four-year-old daughter of Great Notion trained by Tim Grams for owner-breeder Judy Grams, Moonlit Kiss prevailed gamely in her seasonal debut and now owns seven wins and nearly $135,000 banked from 12 career tries after getting the 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.98.

Moonlit Kiss scored one night after her full-brother, Moonlit Notion, remained undefeated in five career tries by taking a one-turn allowance dash. A sophomore son of Great Notion out of the talented Grams trainee Moonlit Song, Moonlit Notion remained perfect by getting the 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.33 as the even-money choice. Both Moonlits have already provided a promising start to the second career of their dam, who won 14 of 26 starts and earned just over $400,000 for Grams including a victory in the Cavada.

On Friday in the postponed edition of the $75,000 Original Gold Stakes for West Virginia-bred fillies and mares, Mendys Honey (Arnaldo Bocachica) benefited from patient handling through the first five furlongs then swept past early leaders Lightnin Runner and Maggie’s Girl on the far turn en route to a three-length score over 55-1 outsider Somesugarspice after getting the seven furlongs in 1:28.83 over the fast track. That race had been initially scheduled for April 12, but the last seven races on that card were nixed by poor track conditions.

A four-year-old daughter of Mendelssohn trained by Anthony Farrior for owner Ultra Championship Racing, Mendys Honey notched her second win in as many starts this year and now owns six wins and just over $185,000 banked from eight lifetime outings. Her win marked the beginning of a busy, hectic weekend for Farrior who ventured to Aqueduct on Saturday afternoon and saddled Faster Gator to a solid, second-place finish in the $150,000 Bay Shore Stakes for three-year-olds for owner Richard Burnsworth.

“It was a really good effort from Mendys Honey,” Farrior said. “That was the first time she has really taken any dirt in her face. She won her previous start at Colonial Downs, but she was able to race wide and avoid being hit with my kickback. Arnaldo rode her perfectly. That’s why he’s the best rider up there.”