Skippylongstocking Proves Age Is Just A Number In Game Harlan’s Holiday Win

[Wandering Eyes]

It came down to the top two betting choices as 6-year-old SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (Exaggerator) and 3-year-old Poster (Munnings) threw down through the final furlong but, in the end, Skippy got the better of his younger, favored rival to capture the GIII Harlan's Holiday at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The traditional prep for next month's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the Harlan's Holiday was Skippylongstocking's first race back since a case of the thumps saw him fade to eighth on a hot night in West Virginia in the Charles Town Classic in August.

Breaking from the inside as one of two Saffie Joseph Jr. runners, Skippy came away in good order just outside of Hold My Bourbon (Anchor Down) was who intent to lead on the fence. As that rival rocketed out to a clear lead through fractions of :22.87 and :45.95, Skippy sat third in close company with Chilean invader Con Compania (Chi) (Awesome Patriot).

Having to navigate traffic on the run into the far turn, Tyler Gaffalione was patient and guided the 2-1 second choice out and around the fading pacesetter to set up a duel with Poster who circled up on the far outside with a big move from last. That pair linked up at the quarter pole and bobbed heads to the first finish line with Skippylongstocking just getting a narrow advantage in the final strides to win. 26-1 longshot Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser) filled out the trifecta. Lifetime Record: 35-12-3-7.

O-Daniel Alonso; B-Brushy Hill, LLC; T-Saffie Joseph Jr. Sales History: $15,000 ylg '20 KEESEP, $37,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR.

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
HARLAN'S HOLIDAY S.-GIII, $150,000, Gulfstream, 12-20, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:43.05, ft.
1–SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING, 126, h, 6, by Exaggerator
                1st Dam: Twinkling, by War Chant
                2nd Dam: Unhurried, by Out of Place
                3rd Dam: Laughing Erin, by Irish Castle
($15,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $37,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Daniel
Alonso; B-Brushy Hill, LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.; J-Tyler
Gaffalione. $91,140. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 35-12-3-7,
$3,775,250. *1/2 to Olivia Twist (Mshawish), SW & GSP,
$321,579; Moonlite Strike (Liam's Map), SW & GSP, $175,205.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Poster, 118, c, 3, Munnings–Pin Up, by Tapit. 'TDN Rising
Star, presented by Hagyard' O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Eoin G.
Harty. $29,400.
3–Catalytic, 121, c, 4, Catalina Cruiser–One Show Only, by
Distorted Humor. ($70,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $125,000 Ylg '22
FTSAUG). O-Tami Bobo; B-Fred W. Hertrich (KY); T-Antonio
Sano. $14,700.
Margins: HD, 5HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 2.40, 1.50, 26.40.
Also Ran: Classic of Course, Hold My Bourbon, Con Compania (Chi), Racing Driver. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

Skippy IS Skippy today! SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING ($6.80) overcomes traffic to win the $150,000 Harlan's Holiday (G3) at @GulfstreamPark under @Tyler_Gaff for trainer @SaffieJosephJr and owner Daniel Alonso.

The Ft Lauderdale Stakes (G3) is next. Bet with @FanDuel Racing. pic.twitter.com/6OusI1D3BQ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 20, 2025

 

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