Skippy Returns To Gulfstream In Saturday’s Graded Action

[Wandering Eyes]

Out of action since his case of thumps in the GII Charles Town Classic Aug. 22, 6-year-old Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) returns to Gulfstream Park Saturday to contest the GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes. Having started each of his last four campaigns in Florida for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., the fan favorite, who won this same race in front-running style as a 3-year-old in 2022, gets back on track after an eventful summer where he ran seventh to Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the GI Whitney Stakes before fading from the lead on a hot night in West Virginia.

“His last two races haven't been up to par,” Joseph admitted of Skippy who will make his 35th career start Saturday. “His Whitney wasn't too bad. It was his first start back. We had missed some time. He made a big run and got tired. That was kind of an OK race. His Charles Town race was very disappointing. He got the thumps (a spasmic contraction of the diaphragm similar to hiccups in humans) in that race. It's something he's done from time to time.”

Now, off a four-month layoff, the earner of over $3.6m needs a good run here to springboard himself into contention for January's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, a race he's contested each of the last three years, finishing third last year.

“He's doing really, really well,” Joseph continued. “He's training really well. We gave him a break. All the data that you could get back is positive. He's 6 turning 7, but we feel like he's just as good now as when he's in peak form. Hopefully, that shows on Saturday.”

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, aboard for Skippy's first two starts of 2025, re-takes the reins Saturday from Irad Ortiz Jr. who breaks just inside of him on stablemate Hold My Bourbon (Anchor Down). A 4-year-old making his second foray into graded stakes company having run a tiring ninth after setting the fractions early in the GI Forego at Saratoga Aug. 23, he was most recently fifth over this distance at Keeneland Oct. 24.

Godolphin homebred and 2-1 morning-line favorite Poster (Munnings), one of a trio of 3-year-olds in the field, gets back on the main track Saturday having run on all three surfaces this year. Last season's GII Remsen Stakes winner was an early player on the Road to the Kentucky Derby but finished third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa in February and fourth on the Tapeta in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway in March. A debut turf winner as a 2-year-old, he returned to that surface most recently off an eight-month layoff to win an allowance race at Churchill Downs Nov. 9.

“He's doing great,” said trainer Eoin Harty. “I wouldn't have brought him down there if I didn't have the utmost confidence that he's in great shape and ready to run a big race.”

South American invader Con Compania (Chi) (Awesome Patriot) will make his first start for new trainer Robert Dibona after spending much of 2025 with Amador Sanchez. The 5-year-old gelding has already shown an affinity for the Gulfstream surface, winning three of his six starts from six furlongs to one mile. He'll try two turns for the first time Saturday.

Longshots Racing Driver (Dialed In), Classic of Course (Awesome of Course) and 2024 GI Kentucky Derby finisher Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser) complete the field.

Wolfie's Dynaghost leads in the River City field | Coady Media

Over on the turf course in the GIII Ft. Lauderdale Stakes, 7-year-old Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) ships south off a strong front-running 2 3/4-length win in Churchill's GIII River City Stakes over this distance Nov. 8. That was his first start for trainer Brian Lynch who took over from Jonathan Thomas.

“He came over in very good order and fortunately enough he picked up where he left off with [previous trainer] Jonathan [Thomas],” said Lynch. “He touted himself going into the River City and ran like we hoped he would. Obviously he's a classy old horse. I was proud to be able to continue his winning streak and keep him out there because he looks like he could be a lovely older handicap grass horse.”

Defending champ Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro) comes in off a winning effort in the Artie Schiller Stakes at Aqueduct Oct. 11 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

“We'll give him a chance to defend his title,” Pletcher said of the Spendthrift Farm runner. “[He's a] cool horse, just so consistent. Always shows up and tries hard. I like the way he worked [Saturday] morning so hopefully that means he's sitting on a good one.”

Coming in on a two-race win streak is Cugino (Twirling Candy) for Claude McGaughey. After taking the Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth Park Sept. 1, he just lasted to earn graded stakes glory in the GII Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct Nov. 2.

“We love this horse,” said West Point's Tom Bellhouse. “Earlier in his career he was a touch unlucky. He had a couple of tough trips where it seemed like even when he won there was an inquiry. He was always bouncing off against somebody. This is one of those vintage Shug McGaughey training jobs where all of a sudden you have a horse that once they hit 4 and 5 [years old] and they're still in the program, they're excelling. Hopefully the best is yet to come with this guy.”

Trainer Patrick Biancone saddles Beach Gold (Omaha Beach), a 4-year-old who broke his maiden over this course in March and returned to pick up two more wins over it in May and June. He exits a tough go in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland Oct. 4.

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