Stanford returns to defend title in G2 Charles Town Classic
Stanford, last year’s winner of the G2 Charles Town Classic, returns as the 8 to 5 favorite to face off against seven opponents at Charles Town Races in West Virginia
Fresh off a front-running win going 1 1/16 miles in a $100K overnight stakes at Tampa two weeks ago, Stanford who wore blinkers for the first time in that race, will break from the rail post under jockey John Velazquez.
The five year-old son of Malibu Moon will be looking to take home the bulk of the $1.25 million purse money up for grabs in the Charles Town Classic for the second year in a row for owners Stonestreet Stables LLC and Susan Magnier.
Imperative, ninth last time out in the Santa Anita Handicap and the second choice at 3-1, will be ridden by Javier Castellano. Castellano, who piloted Stanford home for his win here last year, will be aboard Imperative for the first time for trainer Ron Hess, Jr.
With his late running style he was the long-shot winner of the 2014 running of the Charles Town Classic at 26-1. And was runner-up in the ’15 running and 4th behind Stanford last year here.
Gangster, a 5 year-old son of Street Boss out of the Silver Charm mare Miss Isella, comes in from Santa Anita off an eighth place finish in the G1 Santa Anita Handicap behind Shaman Ghost who was runner-up to the world-class champion Arrogate in the inaugural running of the G1 $12 million Pegasus World Cup in his prior start.
He’ll be making his second graded stakes start and looking for his third life-time win for Reddam Racing LLC and trainer Doug O’Neill. He’s listed at 10-1 in the morning line. Along with Imperative, he should be considered a legitimate contender off his last start.
Post time is set for 5:35 Eastern and there’s rain in the forecast for the Ranson, West Virginia area.
Charles Town Classic Past Performances
