CHARLES TOWN, WV – Thumbs Up Racing’s Sleepy Eyes Todd was wide awake as he took the field gate to wire in Friday’s $600,000 Charles Town Classic (G2).
Sleepy Eyes Todd was the co-5/2 favorite as he broke from post 7 under Carlos Delgado and went straight to the lead heading into the far turn for the first time. Multiplier rated closest while Sleepy Eyes Todd posted relatively pressured opening fractions of :24.64, :49.14, and 1:13.59.
Midway through the race, Mr. Money and Mo Dont No joined them running three- and four-wide, respectively, but Sleepy Eyes Todd left them all behind as the field made its second pass through the far turn.
As others gave way behind him, Sleepy Eyes Todd turned for home well in front and drew off under a drive to win by a stakes-record 8 lengths. The Miguel Silva trainee completed the 1 1/8-mile fast dirt route in a final time of 1:50.82.
“It’s so exciting for me,” Delgado said. I’m really so excited, I can’t just explain. I didn’t even know how far in front I was at the wire, I was so excited.”
Plus Que Parfait was unable to close the considerable gap as he took second at the top of the stretch, but he did hold second by 3 lengths.
Runnin’toluvya took third in a four-horse photo finish over Tenfold, Math Wizard, and Mo Dont No. Forewarned, War Story, Multiplier, and Mr. Money (the other co-5/2 favorite) completed the order of finish.
Awesome D J failed to draw into the race from the Also Eligible list.
Sleepy Eyes Todd’s win was his second of the year following the Bosselman Pump and Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes at Fonner Park, which like Charles Town has a bullring track design. The 4-year-old Paddy O’Prado colt improved his record to 12-6-2-0 with $591,165 earned.
“This is the biggest win of my career and hopefully the first of many,” Silva said. “This is the nicest horse I’ve ever had and there are no words. We always were really high on him; we’ve run in some big races and we’re so proud of him. He actually threw a front right shoe tonight and won like that.”
Sleepy Eyes Todd returned $7.60 to win, $5.40 to place, and $4.40 to show. Plus Que Parfait brought back $17.40 to place and $13.80 to show, while Runnin’toluvya paid $9.40 to show.
