CT: Call Me Micky J., Crystal Veil take juvenile stakes
Next stop: WV Breeders’ Classics
The Biz
September 20, 2026
Call Me Micky J. turned his first foray in West Virginia-bred company into his first stakes win Saturday night at Charles Town, leading throughout to win the $75,000 Henry Mercer Memorial Stakes.
That came one night after Crystal Veil became the first local juvenile filly to earn two wins with a score in the John McKee Memorial.
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The Laurel Park-based Call Me Micky J., a Sharp Azteca colt, won at first asking there, then tried three straight stakes against open company. In the 4½-furlong Mercer, he broke sharply, opened a 1½-length lead after the opening quarter and held Calvin’s Run safe by 2¾ lengths. Jack Carson finished third.
Carlos Lopez rode Call Me Micky J. for trainer John Salzman Jr. and owner John E. Salzman Sr. He stopped the clock in 52.67 seconds and paid $15. The win lifted his record to two victories from five starts and $77,980 in earnings.
A night earlier, Crystal Veil was even more decisive in the $75,000 John McKee Memorial Stakes for West Virginia-bred 2-year-old fillies. A step slow from the gate, she quickly took charge and drew off to beat A Notable Nature by 5¼ lengths. On a Pedestal was third.
Jeiron Barbosa rode Crystal Veil for trainer Anthony Farrior and owners Fuzzy Whiz LLC and breeder James F. Miller. She covered 4½ furlongs in 53.10 seconds and returned $4. The victory was her second in three starts and raised her earnings to $65,960.
The two stakes were the first of the year for state-bred two-year-olds this year in West Virginia and mark Charles Town’s final stakes action until the 40th running of the West Virginia Breeders’ Classics, which takes place October 10.
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