Veteran campaigner Skippylongstocking showcased his tenacity and class on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, by securing a hard-fought victory in the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita Park.
The 6-year-old bay horse, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., edged out a determined Midnight Mammoth to claim the $201,000 purse.
Breaking cleanly from post position five, Skippylongstocking settled into a comfortable fifth position as Packs a Wahlop set the early pace with fractions of 22.55 for the quarter and 46.33 for the half-mile.
Midnight Mammoth pressed the leader, with Skippylongstocking and Tarantino in close pursuit.
Midnight Mammoth took the lead as the field approached the quarter pole, but Skippylongstocking responded swiftly, engaging in a head-to-head battle down the stretch.
Displaying his characteristic grit, Skippylongstocking pulled ahead to win by three-quarters of a length, stopping the clock at 2:01.64 for the 1¼-mile distance.
“He relaxed for me beautifully,” said jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. “We were planning to stay back and not be on the lead. I was happy where he was, and he went on from there. The horse on the inside [Midnight Mammoth] was fighting back, and my horse was fighting back as well.”
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. praised his charge, stating, “He’s just a hard-knocking horse who takes his track with him everywhere he goes. He’s a sound horse, and he’s very strong mentally. We’ll be forever grateful for him.”
This victory adds to Skippylongstocking’s impressive resume, including wins in the GIII West Virginia Derby, Harlan’s Holiday Stakes, and two GII Charles Town Classic editions. With this latest triumph, his career earnings surpass $3.6 million.
Scratched Horse(s): None
FractionalTimes: 22.55, 46.33, 1:10.87, 1:35.51
FinalTime: 2:01.64
Winning Connections
Winner: Skippylongstocking
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Owner: Daniel Alonso
Breeder: Brushy Hill, LLC
Bloodlines: Bay Horse, by Exaggerator out of Twinkling, by War Chant. Foaled Apr 02, 2019 in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Exaggerator is standing at Elite Thoroughbreds in Folsom, LA ($5,000 Live Foal)
Payouts
1st – (5) Skippylongstocking – Win: $3.60, Place: $2.60, Show: $2.10
2nd – (3) Midnight Mammoth – Place: $7.20, Show: $3.60
3rd – (4) Extensive – Show: $2.40
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (5-3): $12.30 | $1.00 Trifecta (5-3-4): $34.50 | $0.10 Superfecta (5-3-4-1): $9.63
Be the first to comment