CHARLES TOWN, United States (CMC) — Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr conjured up a massive win here Friday when his 7-5 favourite Skippylongstocking won the million-dollar feature Grade 2 Charles Town Classic with a terrific front-running effort.

Going a mile and eighth in race 11, Skippylongstocking crushed the field by five lengths in a time of one minute, 1.37 seconds, jockey Tyler Gaffalione carrying the four-year-old bay colt comfortably to the wire under a confident hand ride.

Skippylongstocking’s stablemate, 10-1 bet O’Connor, finished second with 23-1 choice Dash Attack trailing in third.

For the Daniel Alonso-owned colt it was his second win from five starts this year, pushing his earnings to US$1.5 million from 19 career starts.

“I was surprised to see him on the lead, and the fractions were reasonable enough that it gave you confidence,” Joseph was quoted as saying in a post-race interview.

“His ears were going up and down, back and forth, and I just couldn’t believe it.”

He continued: “I thought there was going to be a little more speed in there. When he got to the lead in those fractions I knew he was going to be tough to beat from there.

“He’s always been a real good horse. We were looking to get one of the big ones this year, and so far this is it for him. I am not sure what he’s got next but I am hoping that someday he will take down a Grade I.”

Skippylongstocking broke on top to pull the field through easy fractions of 24.82 for the quarter and 48.88 for the half, with Dash Attack, 2-1 bet Giant Game, and 15- chance Maud’dib all chasing.

That status quo remained down the backstretch until Gaffalione quickened Skippylongstocking approaching the final turn to storm four lengths clear at the top of the stretch.

Seven-to-one bet Call Me Fast came to join Dash Attack and Maud’dib in the stretch run but their pursuit was in vain as Skippylongstocking coasted to the wire without pressure.

Joseph also came close in the supporting features, finishing second with 12-1 bet Mish in the $250,000 Russell Road Stakes in race seven which was won by 4-1 choice Coastal Mission, and placing second once more with 9-1 bet Lord Miles in the $350,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes in race nine captured by Damon’s Mound.

The spotlight also fell on Reshawn Latchman, the Barbadian jockey winning race one over seven furlongs with 4-1 chance Luzia and returning to also win race two over 4½ furlongs with 5-1 chance Silver Rules.