Skippylongstocking seeks 2nd win in Oaklawn Handicap

Defending winner Skippylongstocking is among eight entrants in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap for older horses going 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Oaklawn.

Carded as the 11th of 12 races, the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT. The first post is at 1:20 p.m.

Owned by Daniel Alonso, 6-year-old Skippylongstocking is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line. He is bidding to become the first horse in 60 years to win consecutive runnings of the Oaklawn Handicap. He was a two-length winner of last year’s edition for Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

In three starts before the 2024 Oaklawn Handicap, Skippylongstocking raced in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) and the Challenger Stakes. He followed the same path in 2025, finishing sixth in the Dirt Mile, third in the Pegasus and first in the Challenger at Tampa Bay Downs, setting a track record for 1 1/16 miles with a time of 1:41.20 on March 8.

“I think he’s coming in in good form,” Joseph said. “I expect a good run, hopefully. I do think he likes to be forwardly placed. Hopefully he breaks well from there and puts himself in a forward position. There’s some speed in there that he can stalk if he needs to. If he broke well enough, he can lead also.”

Skippylongstocking is an eight-time stakes winner and one of the four millionaires entered in the Oaklawn Handicap. Joseph will also send out Alexander Helios, who exits a head victory over Banishing in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 23 at Oaklawn. First Mission, the 2-1 morning-line favorite Saturday, finished another neck farther back in third.

The Razorback Handicap marked the stakes debut for Alexander Helios, an emerging 5-year-old half-brother to 2021 Preakness winner Rombauer.

In his final start of 2024, Alexander Helios finished second to future Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race in May at Churchill Downs and opened 2025 with a 2 1/2-length allowance victory at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park. Alexander Helios won the Razorback in a meet-best 1:41.88.

“Obviously stepped up his game and ran well last time,” Joseph said. “He beat Banishing, who came back to win the (Oaklawn Mile). He’s in good form and he goes over there with a very good chance himself. We feel like we have two horses that are in good (form) and hopefully they run their best races on that day.”

Banishing has won four of his last five starts, including the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) on March 29 for co-owner and trainer David Jacobson.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen entered millionaires Disarm and Red Route One. First Mission, another millionaire, represents trainer Brad Cox.

Red Route One, third in last year’s Oaklawn Handicap, won the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at 1 1/8 miles March 22 at Oaklawn in his last start. Disarm returns to graded stakes company after launching his 2025 campaign with an allowance victory at 1 1/16 miles March 14 at Oaklawn. Keith Asmussen sticks with Disarm after winning the Essex aboard Red Route One.

First Mission won the 2024 Essex and narrowly missed in the Razorback, which was his first start since August.

“I think First Mission got a good bit out of that first race,” Cox said. “He’s trained really well since. We targeted this race since his last run there at Oaklawn, so I think he’s set up for a big race.”

Tarantino finished second behind Red Route One in the Essex, beaten by 4 1/2 lengths. Go West Go will be making his stakes debut.