The 2026 Charles Town Classic will be run Friday, August 28 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, West Virginia. The Grade II race is contested at 1⅛ miles on dirt for horses aged three and older with a $1,000,000 purse.
| Date | Friday, August 28, 2026 |
| Track | Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races |
| Race | Race 11 |
| Distance | 1⅛ miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade II |
| Purse | $1,000,000 |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Post Time | 10:25 PM ET |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gigante (VA) | L Saez | S M Asmussen | 12/1 |
| 2 | Willy D's (KY) | R Santana, Jr. | M J Maker | 5/1 |
| 3 | Xcellent Start (WV) | F Peltroche | W S Sanderson | 50/1 |
| 4 | Full Screen (ON) | P Lopez | S A Joseph, Jr. | 15/1 |
| 5 | Prince of Power (KY) | D Davis | D Jacobson | 20/1 |
| 6 | Bullard (KY) | K Kimura | M W McCarthy | 6/1 |
| 7 | Dragoon Guard (KY) | M Franco | B H Cox | 6/1 |
| 8 | Banishing (KY) | F Arrieta | D Jacobson | 4/1 |
| 9 | Barbadian Runner (MD) | F Boyce | H Walters | 9/2 |
| 10 | Skippylongstocking (KY) | T Gaffalione | S A Joseph, Jr. | 3/1 |
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The Charles Town Classic is the signature race at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and one of the richest Grade II dirt races for older horses in the United States. The 1⅛-mile event offers a $1 million purse and attracts accomplished runners from across the country to Charles Town's distinctive six-furlong oval.
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The Charles Town Classic was inaugurated in 2009, with Researcher winning the first running. Researcher returned to capture the race again in 2010, becoming its first two-time winner.
The race received Grade III status in 2011 and was upgraded to Grade II in 2012. Moreno established the race record in 2015 when he completed the 1⅛ miles in 1:48.81.
Researcher, Imperative, Art Collector and Skippylongstocking have each won the Charles Town Classic twice. Skippylongstocking captured consecutive editions in 2023 and 2024.
Banishing won the 2025 Charles Town Classic under jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer David Jacobson, completing the 1⅛ miles in 1:53.26.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Banishing | Tyler Gaffalione | David Jacobson | 1:53.26 |
| 2024 | Skippylongstocking | Jose L. Ortiz | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 1:50.34 |
| 2023 | Skippylongstocking | Tyler Gaffalione | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 1:51.37 |
| 2022 | Art Collector | Luis Saez | William I. Mott | 1:51.30 |
| 2021 | Art Collector | Luis Saez | William I. Mott | 1:49.39 |
| 2020 | Sleepy Eyes Todd | Carlos J. Delgado | Miguel Angel Silva | 1:50.82 |
The 2026 Charles Town Classic is scheduled for Friday, August 28 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, West Virginia. It will be run as Race 11, with post time set for 10:25 PM ET.
The Charles Town Classic is contested at 1⅛ miles on dirt at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.
The 2026 Charles Town Classic carries a $1,000,000 purse.
The Charles Town Classic is open to Thoroughbreds three years old and upward.
Skippylongstocking is the morning-line favorite for the 2026 Charles Town Classic, with defending champion Banishing among the leading contenders. Check USRacing.com for current race-day odds and updates.
The latest 2026 Charles Town Classic odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Charles Town Classic is a Grade II Thoroughbred dirt race held annually at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, West Virginia. It is contested at 1⅛ miles for horses three years old and upward.
The Charles Town Classic is held at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, West Virginia.
You can bet online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, and select Charles Town and the Charles Town Classic from the available racing markets. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Banishing won the 2025 Charles Town Classic under jockey Tyler Gaffalione for trainer David Jacobson, completing the 1⅛ miles in 1:53.26.
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