Art Collector dominates in second Charles Town Classic victory

The old adage goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And, trainer Bill Mott's plan worked well last year: Art Collector prepared for a win in the Charles Town Classic (G2) with a confident victory in the Alydar Stakes at Saratoga in 2021. After another smart Alydar score in 2022, the 5-year-old Bernardini horse followed the same path to northeastern West Virginia.

It led to the same result: glory under the lights in Charles Town's $1 million signature race.

It was smooth sailing early for jockey Luis Saez and Art Collector, who bounced out quickly to the front. Charles Town-based Muad'dib, perfect in 10 starts going into his first graded attempt, also came away well and attended the pace off of Art Collector. It was a more challenging start for Mind Control, the only Grade 1 winner in the field other than favored Art Collector. A bit awkwardly away, he only beat slower-starting long shot Treasure Trove out of the gate.

Art Collector inside and Muad'dib outside battled through early fractions of 24.46 seconds, 48.70 seconds, and 1:13.76, with Jalen Journey attending three deep. Through the third and final turn, Art Collector shook clear. He ticked off the mile in 1:38.12, with Muad'dib still pursuing in a clear second.

Down the lane it was all about the defending champion, as Art Collector stayed on to win by 4 1/4 lengths, stopping the timer in 1:51.30 for 1 1/8 miles over a fast track. The 5-year-old horse paid $3.00 to win. As reported by Bob Kieckhefer of BloodHorse, trainer Bill Mott did not identify a next start for Art Collector though did not rule out races such as the Woodward or the Clark (G1).

Mind Control swung three wide into the lane and tried to make a run, but Muad'dib held firm inside for the place, holding a neck ahead of Mind Control. Officiating, who had rallied into the lane just inside of Mind Control, crossed the wire a neck behind that foe at the finish, positioned between horses. Last Samurai, Jalen Journey, Plot the Dots, and Treasure Trove completed the order of finish.

The victory was Art Collector's 10th in 19 career starts, and the $588,055 winner's share of the purse brought the Bruce Lunsford homebred's career earnings to $2,317,610. Though close to $1 million of that tally comes from his pair of Charles Town Classic victories, he has won seven stakes in his career including one at the top level, the 2021 Woodward (G1) at Belmont.