Sleepy Eyes Todd romps in Charles Town Classic

It’s safe to call Sleepy Eyes Todd a three-turn specialist.

He won his second stakes race at the configuration Friday night, when he led at every “turn” for a 7 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2, $600,000 Charles Town Classic.

It was the biggest career win for the horse, who in April won the $54,000 Bosselman/Fonner around three turns at Fonner Park.

The Charles Town Classic, which was originally scheduled for April but moved to Friday’s later date due to the coronavirus pandemic, is the premier race of the Charles Town meet. It drew six millionaires and shared a card with the Grade 3, $200,000 Charles Town Oaks won by Fly On Angel, who paid an appropriate $20.20.

Sleepy Eyes Todd ($7.60) broke well and quickly assumed command of the 1 1/8-mile Charles Town Classic, putting up fractions of 24.64 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.14 for the half-mile, and 1:13.59 for six furlongs. In the stretch, he had more, winning by what was announced as the largest margin of victory in the history of the Charles Town Classic.

Plus Que Parfait was second, finishing three lengths clear of third-place finisher Runnin’toluvya, who won last year’s Charles Town Classic. The popular Runnin’toluvya earned $56,000 on Friday to push his career earnings past $1 million.

Sleepy Eyes Todd covered the distance on a fast track in 1:50.82.

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Carlos Delgado was aboard Sleepy Eyes Todd, who is owned by Thumbs Up Racing and trained by Miguel Silva. The horse by Paddy O’ Prado earned $336,000 for his win Friday night to improve his career record to 6 for 12 for earnings of $591,165.

“This is the biggest win of my career and hopefully the first of many,” Silva told Charles Town publicity. “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 show tonight and won like that.”

Sleepy Eyes Todd came into the Charles Town Classic off a runner-up finish in the $75,000 Lone Star Mile Park on June 28. He was beaten a head by Hunka Burning Love, who has since won the $75,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park.

Sleepy Eyes Todd won the first stakes of his career in the Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial at Remington last December. The race at Fonner, run at 1 1/16 miles, came in April.

Mr. Money was the favorite in the Charles Town Classic and was prominent for much of the race before finishing 10th. Sleepy Eyes Todd was the second choice in the wagering, while third choice Math Wizard closed for fifth Friday.

* Star of Night ($2.20) won the final stakes on the card, the $50,000 Sylvia Bishop Memorial for fillies and mares bred in West Virginia. She covered seven furlongs in 1:26.11. Arnaldo Bocachica was aboard the daughter of Creative Cause for Huntertown Farm and trainer Jeff Runco.