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Stonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Stanford heads a field of eight runners as he attempts to defend his title in the $1,250,000 Charles Town Classic (G2) this Saturday at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. The 1 1/8 mile Charles Town Classic will be the eleventh race on the 13 race program that gets underway at 12:45 P.M. EST. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Stanford took a slightly different route to West Virginia’s eastern panhandle for his title defense than he took in 2016. Last year, the WinStar bred son of Malibu Moon came into the Charles Town Classic off of consecutive runner-up efforts at Gulfstream in the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) and Fred Hooper (G3) – both one-turn events.

However, in 2017, Stanford comes into the three-turn Charles Town Classic off three consecutive two-turn races down in Florida. After a six month break following the Met Mile (G1), Stanford lead every step of the way in taking the Harlan’s Holiday (G3) over Keen Ice and subsequently came up a head short against Imperative – a horse he’ll meet again this Saturday – in the $400,000 Poseidon at Gulfstream. In his most recent outing, Stanford blitzed on overmatched group of opponents in the $100,000 Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and stopped the clock in a track record time for the 1 1/16 mile event.

In that victory in the Challenger, Stanford was equipped with blinkers for the first time in his career, a change his trainer thinks can move his colt up even further. “The main objective with putting the blinkers on was keeping him focused throughout the race,” said the winner of seven Eclipse Awards as the country’s top trainer. “He lost his focus a couple of times, and both times we think it cost him the race. Sometimes it can be difficult to make an equipment change on a horse you’ve had so much success with, but it had been in the back of my mind to try it with him.

The Charles Town Classic...

Team IdaBet is pleased to share information on the Charles Town Classic for tomorrow, April 22nd.  Stanford heads a field of eight runners as he attempts to defend his title in the $1,250,000 Charles Town Classic (G2) this Saturday, April 22^ndat Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.  The 1^1/8 mile Charles Town Classic will be the eleventh race on the 13 race program that gets underway at 12:45pm ET.

Looking to dethrone Stanford are a talented group of challengers that include 2014 Charles Town Classic winner Imperative, graded stakes winner Sunny Ridge, stakes winners Matt King Coal, War Story, Bodhisattva, and Cautious Giant.  Rounding out the field is the talentedGangster from the two-time Kentucky Derby winning duo of Reddam Racing and Doug O’Neill.  Post time for the Charles Town Classic is set for 5:35pm ET.

In addition to the featured event, Charles Town has put together a stellar undercard that features nine Stakes races and a $100,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick 4 on races 9-12.

Attached you’ll find an overnight & draw sheet to assist with your wagering considerations.

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2017 Charles Town Classic Draw Sheet

Charles Town Overnight 4-22-17

Team IdaBet is pleased to offer our players a peek at Yonker’s card for Thursday, April 20th by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director.

Listed below are some insights into Thursday’s racing program for your wagering consideration:

1^ST RACE – (3) DIRTY DEVIL returns after a trio of fruitless Pocono performances. Has win as local bottom claimer and nodded in competitive opener.

2^ND RACE – (5) BABY REMIND ME was taken off Allard, remaining at same level. Winless this season, but is joined by equally-camera-shy ladies here.

4^TH RACE – (2) DREAM BALL was 19 days out invading from Cleveland. Put forth even effort from outer venue then, better gauge this time around.

5^TH RACE – (4) BIG WHITE PEARL tried at first-up versus notch better in latest, tiring through lane. Could easily see her cutting this mile against not much.

7^TH RACE – (4) BAREFOOT JULIE tries her luck from Delaware, where she’s had none (0-for-13). Does this change of venue result in friendlier jury?

11^TH RACE – (2) REAL ILLUSION was a well-driven winner in latest, extricating himself from behind stopping leader. Taken to handle claiming hike.

$2 +/- (thru Mon., Apr. 17) – 103 wins [inc. 2 dead-heats] ($774)

from 452 ($904) selex (-$130)

highest-priced winner – LONG LIVE ROCK ($38.60)

lowest-priced winner – REGIL ELEKTRA ($2.40)