Skippylongstocking gets 107 Beyer in Oaklawn Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Skippylongstocking could see action next in Kentucky or New York after putting up the year’s highest Beyer Speed Figure for an older dirt horse in last weekend’s Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap.

Skippylongstocking earned a Beyer of 107. It’s second among all dirt numbers, behind the 110 earned by Fierceness in the Florida Derby. Tape to Tape has the year’s second-highest older dirt horse Beyer, a 106 earned for an allowance sprint win April 21 at Lone Star Park.

Skippylongstocking won over 1 1/8 miles in the Oaklawn Handicap. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Tuesday the horse has returned to the Palm Meadows training center in South Florida. Plans for his next start are being discussed with owner Daniel Alonso.

“He bounced out of the race well,” Joseph said. “Nothing’s set in stone, but there’s a couple of options for him. We could go to the Stephen Foster at Churchill or we could go to the Suburban.

“The Stephen Foster is good timing-wise. It’s a Grade 1. And it’s over a distance he likes. But we haven’t finalized anything. We’ll give it two more weeks before we really decide where we’re going to go.”

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The $1 million Stephen Foster is June 29. The Grade 2, $350,000 Suburban will be run over 1 1/4 miles on June 8 at Saratoga.

Skippylongstocking tracked the pace in second in the Oaklawn Handicap and went on to cover the distance in 1:49. He won by two lengths under Jose Ortiz.

“He traveled well in the race the whole way, then when he quickened, when Jose asked him to go on, he put the race to bed,” Joseph said.

Joseph said Skippylongstocking would remain at Palm Meadows through his next race and from there would summer at Saratoga.

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