How to bet the 2025 Charles Town Classic

A sharp field of eight will run 1 1/8 miles in Friday night’s lucrative, $1 million Charles Town Classic S. (G2). Two-time champ #4 Skippylongstocking (7-5) is the one to beat in hopes of making it three in the contest for conditioner Saffie Joseph. By Exaggerator, the bay has earned in excess of $3.6 million to date while carrying good form throughout his career, and he seems to do some of his best work in West Virginia. 

Charles Town Classic Wagers

• $1 superfecta 4 with 1,8 with 1,2,3,8 with all ($30)
• 20-cent superfecta 1,4 with 1,2,3,4,8 with 1,2,3,4,8 with all ($24)

The Kentucky-bred didn’t have the best of trips in the especially deep Whitney S. (G1) at Saratoga in his latest venture. Still, the morning-line choice had very good 2025 form leading up to that performance and will appreciate the measure of class relief in his return to this venue. Jose Ortiz, who guided him to victory in the tilt last campaign, comes in to pilot the formidable favorite. 

A case can be made for numerous horses in the well-matched group, and #1 Banishing (7-2) is one of them. Trained by David Jacobson, the son of Ghostzapper has been very good since the fall, coming home first or second in nine of his last 10 assignments, which includes a score in the Oaklawn Mile (G3) and a narrow second in the loaded Churchill Downs S. (G1), as well. The chestnut defeated a fine sprinter at 6 1/2 panels last time and also owns a win at 1 1/16 miles, so I have confidence that he will be able to negotiate nine panels on this course in his local bow. Tyler Gaffalione has the call. 

#8 Gould’s Gold (12-1) has a big turn of foot from the outside post slot in a field with ample early pace in the fold. The Kenny McPeek pupil burned money as the short-priced favorite when a closing third in the Cornhusker S. (G3) in his latest appearance, but he is a consistent stakes victor who might thrive in his first try over this unique surface. I expect the four-year-old son of Goldencents to make his presence felt approaching the turn for home with Brian Hernandez, Jr. on board. 

Grade 3 winners #2 Awesome Aaron (12-1) and #3 Alexander Helios (12-1) each merit inclusion in the vertical plays, too.