The Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic takes center stage Friday evening at Charles Town Races, with Skippylongstocking aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive victory in the track’s premier event. The 1 1/8-mile race, which drew a field of eight, is the 11th on a 13-race card that begins at 5:00 p.m.

Skippylongstocking, a six-year-old son of Exaggerator trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for owner Daniel Alonso, brings career earnings of more than $3.6 million into the Classic. Though he finished seventh last out in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga, he has shown a particular affinity for Charles Town’s bullring configuration and will have Jose Ortiz in the saddle as he bids for history.

Three other horses – Researcher, Imperative, and Art Collector – have won the Classic twice. But of those, only Imperative tried for a third Classic win. Imperative, the only runner to win the Classic in nonconsecutive years, scored in 2014 and 2017, finishing second in 2015 and fourth the following year. After his ’17 win, he bid for history in 2019 but finished eighth.

“We knew we wanted to bring him back and go for a third win in the Classic,” said Joseph. “The chance to make history is cool. The Hollywood Gold Cup and the ship took a bit of a toll on him, so we wanted to give him some time after that race. We knew we wanted to get him a race before the Classic, so we gave the Whitney another shot. He came out of the race good and worked well the other day, so we’re happy with where he’s at.”

Skippy’s competition includes Banishing on the rail for trainer David Jacobson. A five-year-old Ghostzapper gelding, Banishing comes in off a narrow victory in the Jeff Hall Memorial at Ellis Park and earlier this year took the Grade 3 Oaklawn Mile. He finished well ahead of Skippy when second in April’s Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount.

Another contender is Willy D’s, who enters in top form for trainer Michael Maker. The four-year-old Lookin At Lucky gelding registered his first stakes win in the Schaefer Memorial at Horseshoe Indianapolis in July and will be ridden by Luis Saez.

Gould’s Gold, a four-year-old colt by Goldencents trained by Kenny McPeek, nearly broke through in graded company last out when beaten just a half-length in the Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows.

The field also includes Komorebino Omoide, who was third in last year’s Charles Town Classic and won the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile this spring; Alexander Helios, a Grade 3 winner earlier this season; Trademark, whose biggest success came in the 2023 Clark Handicap (G2); and Awesome Aaron, who has been a productive runner for trainer Norm Casse since being claimed last fall and won the Grade 3 Pimlico Special in May.

SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING’S CHARLES TOWN CLASSIC WINS

• Skippy doubles up in 2024 CT Classic
• Skippylongstocking romps in 2023 CT Classic