Art Collector draws post 4 in bid for Charles Town Classic repeat

Art Collector returns to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on Friday night to try and win the $1 million Charles Town Classic for the second year in a row.

Art Collector was much the best in the 2021 Charles Town Classic, coming into the race after winning the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga, and trainer Bill Mott has the 5-year-old horse on the same pattern this year. Luis Saez rode Art Collector in his win a year ago and is named again Friday night.

The Charles Town Classic is the sixth of seven stakes races carded Friday, post time for the feature set for 10:18 Eastern on a 13-race program that starts at 5 p.m.

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Art Collector is one of eight entered in the 1 1/8-mile fixture contested around three turns on the six-furlong Charles Town oval. He drew post 4, a good spot, and figures to be favored. His main rival could prove to be Mind Control, who has excelled over the last year in short two-turn races at one mile. Trainer Todd Pletcher said earlier this summer he thought Mind Control could get 1 1/8 miles, and the short Charles Town stretch run should help him.

Mind Control drew post 2 and will be ridden by John Velazquez. The others in the race, from the inside out, are Plot the Dots, Last Samurai, Treasure Trove, Officiating, Muad’dib, and Jalen Journey.

The $500,000 Charles Town Oaks, run around two turns at seven furlongs, drew nine entrants with possible favorite Society set to break from post 5. The other fillies entered, from the rail out, are She’s Pure Silver, Divine Huntress, Chardonnay, Peachy Weachy, Stellar Ride, Midnight Stroll, Lady Scarlet, and Free Like a Girl.

You can catch all the action and wager Friday night at DRFBets.com.