CT: Ryan’s Run dominates in Leavitt Stakes
Robert Hilton Memorial could be next
Ted Black
July 19, 2026
Ryan’s Run answered any lingering questions about stretching out Saturday night at Charles Town, dominating the $75,000 Robert G. Leavitt Stakes to remain unbeaten and put himself in line for a possible start in next month’s $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial.
Jeff Runco trainees Ryan’s Run and Penguin’s Pride entered the Leavitt having won all five of their starts, collectively, but both entered with questions.
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Ryan’s Run, who was eventually made the 3-10 favorite under Arnaldo Bocachica and attracted over $130,000 in show wagers from bridge jumpers in a pool just shy of $175,000, was 3-for-3 at the one-turn distance of 4 1/2 furlongs, including the $75,000 Coin Collector Stakes. But he had yet to try two turns.
Penguin’s Pride had won both of his starts for owner David Raim, including one going two turns, but had yet to tackle stakes foes. Still, bettors sent him off as the 2-1 second choice.
Irish Jubalee and Ryan’s Run displayed the best early speed to vie for command passing under the finish line the first time, while Penguin’s Pride missed the break and was never much involved, trailing the compact field of six throughout.
Irish Jubalee led the field narrowly through the clubhouse turn and into the backside, but Ryan’s Run was not about to allow that rival to dictate the proceedings much longer. Under confident handling from Arnaldo Bocachica, Ryan’s Run surged to command midway down the backside, leading by a half-length after four furlongs in 46.67 seconds. He then gradually began to widen his advantage on the far turn.
He romped home as much the best to a 10 1/2-length score while stopping the timer in 1:24.49 for the seven furlongs over the rain-dampened good surface.
A sophomore son of Runhappy trained by Runco for owner-breeder Coleswood Farm, Inc., his and his wife Susan Runco’s operation, Ryan’s Run remained undefeated from four career outings and boosted his career bankroll to $130,644.
Ryan’s Run paid $2.60 to win and topped an exacta, with 17-1 Trick R for Juba in second, that returned $8.80 for a one-dollar wager. Noble Ruling finished third, while Coach Siggy, Irish Jubalee, and Penguin’s Pride rounded out the field. Ihaveanappforthat was scratched.
Immediately after the race Runco pondered trying Ryan’s Run next in the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial for three-year-olds offered next month on the undercard of the Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic and Grade 2, $750,000 Charles Town Oaks.
“We’re definitely going to nominate and consider it,” Runco said. “It’s a chance to run for a lot of money on our home track. I’ve been training him a little bit differently the last couple of weeks to get him ready to go longer. I mean, that’s one thing people know me for is getting them ready to go longer. He did it really easily and Boca never had to get after him and never put the stick to him. We’ll look at the list of noms [for the Hilton] when it gets posted and see how it looks. But it’s definitely a consideration.”
One race earlier in a very competitive, two-turn allowance for state-bred fillies and mares that served as a prep for the upcoming $75,000 Sadie Hawkins Stakes on the Charles Town Classic undercard, Malibu Years (Larry Reynolds) lived up to her role as the 7-5 favorite when she surged to command in the final furlong for a 2 ¼-length score. A five-year-old daughter of Golden Years trained by Bobby L. Barber for owner Horsin’ Around 3, Malibu Years notched her second win from eight seasonal tries and now owns an 8-5-6 slate and nearly $175,000 banked from 33 career outings after getting the seven panels in 1:24.92 as the solid choice.
One race prior in a one-turn allowance race not restricted to West Virginia-breds, state-breds Life Is Daily and Tico Grande engaged in a spirited duel through the final furlong where favored Life Is Daily prevailed by a neck in 51.18. A four-year-old son of Irish War Cry out of former Cavada heroine Cuppa Mucha Mojo trained by David Walters for owner-breeder Terri Catlett, Life Is Daily rebounded from an eighth-place finish in his seasonal debut last month to record his fourth win in five career outings by getting the 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.18 as the even-money choice.
While the focus Saturday night was on the state-bred three-year-old boys contesting the Robert Leavitt Stakes, Charles Town will turn its attention July 25 to the state-bred three-year-old fillies when it presents the latest renewal of the $75,000 Sylvia Bishop Memorial, a race that will honor the first licensed African-American female trainer in the United States. It is expected to feature the stakes debut of the unbeaten filly At A Premium for trainer David Walters and owner-breeder Jill Daniel.
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