Defending champ Stanford, 2014 winner Imperative, and six Grade 1 winners are among 72 horses nominated to the G2 Charles Town Classic.
New Jersey-bred Irish War Cry had his final breeze today in preparation for next week’s Grade 2 Wood Memorial.
Cal Lynch trainee El Areeb breezed this morning and is pointed to the Wood Memorial April 8.
The state’s breeders have named Sunny Ridge top New Jersey-bred of 2016, with Irish War Cry top freshman.
The Champions Handicapping, at Laurel Park Saturday, provided four winners berths in subsequent contests around the country.
The Charles Town Classic wagering menu will feature a guaranteed $100,000 Pick Four. The big day is April 22.
Favored Matt King Coal survived a long stretch duel and a claim of foul to edge Afleet Willy in the Harrison Johnson Memorial Stakes.
Larry Jones trainee Jenda’s Agenda won her third straight this afternoon, cruising in the Caesar’s Wish at Laurel Park.
The graded stakes-placed Sonny Inspired is favored in Saturday’s Not for Love, one of two Maryland-bred stakes on the card.
The oft-inconsistent Bodhisattva has run two straight top races. He’ll look for a hat trick in Saturday’s Harrison Johnson Memorial Stakes.