Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x

Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. finally broke his maiden at Oaklawn. And it occurred in a seven-figure race.

Favored Skippylongstocking gave Joseph his breakthrough victory in Saturday’s $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles.

Skippylongstocking ($7.60) marked the 17th career Oaklawn starter for Joseph, who collected his third consecutive training title at the recently concluded Gulfstream Park Championship Meet. Joseph started his first horse at Oaklawn in 2019, with his previous best finish in Hot Springs third.

Skippylongstocking’s sparkling two-length victory came a week after stablemates Sara’s Shaman ran eighth in an allowance race and Honor D Lady finished ninth in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1). Another Joseph trainee, Cool Memory, finished sixth in Saturday’s second race at Oaklawn, a starter-allowance route.

“They didn’t run too good last week, last Saturday,” Joseph said in a telephone interview moments after the Oaklawn Handicap. “We shipped two up and they didn’t run good. We put these two on the van the day after. I was like, ‘Oh geez!’ But just different circumstances. He ran well. You’ve got to take the ups and downs and keep moving forward.”

Joseph called the Oaklawn Handicap, which featured seven graded stakes winners, the best performance on Skippylongstocking’s 23-race resume.

A forward factor from the start under Jose Ortiz, Skippylongstocking tracked stablemate County Final for three-quarters of a mile before gliding to the lead on the outside passing the five-sixteenths pole. Skippylongstocking was three lengths clear in midstretch and never threatened approaching the wire.

Under top weight of 122 pounds, Skippylongstocking ran 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in a meet-best 1:49, a time that generated a 114 Equibase speed rating. First Mission (Essex Handicap) and Muth (Arkansas Derby [G1]) own the top Equibase speed ratings at the meet (115). Those races were also at 1 1/8 miles.

Skippylongstocking was exiting a 2½-length victory in the Challenger Stakes (G3) March 9 at Tampa Bay Downs. The 5-year-old son of Exaggerator has now won consecutive races for the first time in his career.

Joseph said the timing and record purse (the Oaklawn Handicap was previously worth $1 million) made a road trip to Hot Springs an attractive option for Skippylongstocking.

“Obviously, it’s huge purse,” Joseph said. “He’s by Exaggerator. He’s not by a fashionable, well-bred stud, so his value, probably, as far as earning things on the track, he’s going to earn it the hard way. Definitely ($1.25 million), you don’t get that opportunity very often. Thankful to come to Oaklawn. Thankful to win such a race. Just proud of the horse and the whole team.”

Skippylongstocking increased his career earnings to $2,291,685 following his eighth victory and sixth in stakes company.

Owner Daniel Alonso purchased Skippylongstocking for just $37,000 at the 2021 OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training.

As part of the Maryland Jockey Club’s “Win Today, See You in May Series,” Skippylongstocking’s Oaklawn Handicap victory earned him automatic entry into the $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) May 17. While next-race plans are pending, Joseph is already eyeing another seven-figure race, the $- million Charles Town Classic (G2) Aug. 23 at Charles Town. Skippylongstocking was a five-length winner of the 2023 Charles Town Classic.

“We’re going to try to get back to the Charles Town Classic and try to see if he can repeat there,” Joseph said. “But nothing was really picked out after this race. This race was going to lead us where to go. We’ll sit down and talk it over and come up with a plan.”

This article first appeared on Paulick Report and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Maple Leafs Linked With All-Star in Potential Move
NHL

Maple Leafs Linked With All-Star in Potential Move

As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to search for different ways to improve the roster, one area where the team needs help is depth. This could see Toronto's front office explore multiple options to bring more talent to the team. And it seems that the Maple Leafs are being linked with a former All-Star to help bolster the team. That would be veteran Max Pacioretty, who spent this past season with the Maple Leafs. Toronto and reportedly have mutual interest in a reunion, but nothing has come about yet. Pacioretty was rumored to be retiring earlier in the offseason, but it seems that he could return for another season. The veteran only played 37 games for the Maple Leafs this past season, mainly due to injury. With the Maple Leafs, Pacioretty scored just five goals and put up eight assists. Since his time on the ice was limited, the veteran may want to come back to prove he can still produce. This would give Pacioretty a chance to go out on his own terms, rather than leaving following an injury-riddled season. Pacioretty would give the Maple Leafs some needed depth, and he could play an important role in the backend of the lines. While the veteran isn't the same player that he once was, he could still give this team a jolt if he can stay healthy. But whether he decides to return or call it a career remains up in the air. However, it seems that if he does return for next season, the Maple Leafs may be the only team that he considers.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Sees A Ton Of Promise In Potential High-Impact Rookie
NFL

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Sees A Ton Of Promise In Potential High-Impact Rookie

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2025 season with a new-look roster on the offensive side of the ball. The quarterback position has turned over once again, and DK Metcalf is now the top wide receiver in Pittsburgh after the organization decided to acquire him and then trade away George Pickens. Jonnu Smith has also entered the picture on offense, while Jaylen Warren will be taking over the duties as the lead running back. This is his first time taking on that role, as Najee Harris was the bell cow in Pittsburgh for the last four seasons and he never missed a game. Warren will be the main focus at running back, but the Steelers did a good job of filling out that room as a whole. Signing Kenneth Gainwell in free agency was a good way to bring a veteran presence into the room, and adding Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft was an exciting pick with a ton of value. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the rookie running back following practice on Thursday, and he had nothing but good things to say about Johnson. "He does, he's highly conditioned and that helps development," Tomlin said. "When you're in really good shape, you can take additional reps and reps equals [getting] better. And so he handled the first leg of it. He's come in really good shape. He's really engaged and obviously he's got some talent. You guys saw that today." Tomlin said this when asked whether or not Johnson has a high floor as a rookie running back in the NFL, and the coach was clearly impressed with the way the rookie was prepared coming into camp. He also seems to know the playbook pretty well. It is hard to tell much from the early training camp practices, but he certainly stood out. The staff in Pittsburgh clearly has high hopes for Johnson, which could lead to more playing time early on. Johnson will begin the season behind Warren, but the two are expected to share the workload in some regard. The rookie has a high ceiling, and Pittsburgh is going to want to take advantage of the entirety of his cheaper, rookie deal. Many have speculated that Johnson will be the lead back by the time the 2025 season is over, with Warren returning to the role of being a third down back, similar to what he did when Harris was on the team. When Pittsburgh initially selected Johnson in the spring, some hated on the pick due to his slower 40-yard dash time. However, the back looks extremely fast on the field, and fans should get a better idea of the kind of player he can be when the Steelers put on the pads next week. Steelers’ Running Back Situation Will Be Interesting To Monitor Gainwell will likely be the third running back on the depth chart during the 2025 season, but he should have some packages and plays where he is the primary focus. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands, especially in the passing game. He and Warren have a similar skill set, while Johnson stands out in the trio. In addition to those three backs, Pittsburgh also has Cordarrelle Patterson on the roster. It was thought that he would be released by this point, but he remains in Pittsburgh for now. He could be cut at the end of camp, as it seems he is the clear fourth running back on the depth chart and he was one of the worst kick returners in the league during the 2024 season. It is known that Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith likes him and his versatility on offense. It’s his ability to play special teams as well that could keep him on the roster in 2025. What do you expect from Johnson in his rookie year?

Green Bay Packers: Released Titans CB, Undrafted Free Agent Fills Final 91st Spot on Green & Gold Roster
NFL

Green Bay Packers: Released Titans CB, Undrafted Free Agent Fills Final 91st Spot on Green & Gold Roster

Three days into training camp, with a day off Saturday, the Green Bay Packers announced the final signing to fill the 91-player offseason unit: cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr., added as undrafted free agent by the Titans in May but released later to clear roster room. Hollis joins Green Bay Packers’ motley crew of CBs behind top 3 guys Hollis played four seasons in college, his last with West Virginia after transferring from Northwestern. In three years of real playing time, he recorded 120 tackles, 2 INTs, and 12 passes defensed. He started 29 of 39 career games. The 6-foot, 199-pound corner is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, but will head back north for the summer. The Packers have announced that he will wear no. 41 during camp. Although the 90th and 91st signings were named together in the team’s formal release, the arrival of running back Israel Abanikanda, a waiver pickup from San Francisco, was reported yesterday by various sources. Over at cornerback, Hollis will join fellow rookies Jonathan Baldwin, Tyron Herring, and Micah Robinson, Green Bay’s penultimate pick of the 2025 draft at 237th overall. In addition to that group is a number of fringe players with or without NFL snaps. Bo Melton has also completed his CB position switch from receiver. The only sure things at the position are Keisean Nixon, free agent signing Nate Hobbs, and third-year man Carrington Valentine. According to his West Virginia bio, Hollis earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern in education and social policy, and worked toward a master’s in sports management while with the Mouintaneers. Although undrafted free agents, let alone 91st signings, have an uphill battle, playing alongside a guy like Valentine, who has made a career for himself as a former 232nd pick, can offer encouragement. Per Spotrac, Hollis, 23, made $82,500 in guaranteed money, including a $12,500 signing bonus, from his contract with Tennessee.

'In what world does this make sense?’: Oilers and $63M forward
NHL

'In what world does this make sense?’: Oilers and $63M forward

According to some, throw out the idea that the Edmonton Oilers should pursue Max Pacioretty. A veteran forward who has earned over $63 million over the course of his NHL career has yet to sign an NHL contract and was recently mentioned in a post by David Staples as a possible fit. In a recent post, the Journal noted, “All of the top NHL unrestricted free agents have already signed contracts, but there’s one big name player still available that makes good sense for the Edmonton Oilers to pursue.” Responses have been varied, with a few quite vocal about the Oilers not following Staples’ advice. “In what world does this make sense?????” writes a commenter on a recent post for The Hockey Writers. Another commenter wrote, “Pacioretty is a good journeyman player but he is injury prone now, late in his career. Oilers might be lucky to get 40 games out of him. They should look elsewhere instead of taking a chance on Patches.” Tyler Yaremchuk of Oilers Nation chimed in and said, “He scored five goals in 37 games last year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can’t stay healthy, very old, very slow.” Yaremchuk then went on a rant, listing several Oilers forwards who would be better than Pacioretty. What About Pacioretty on a PTO? Is there any reason that a team that is looking to get younger and faster, and move out depth pieces that were older and less productive than expected, would revert back to last summer’s strategy? It seems like an odd choice on the surface. Something would have to happen that would make giving Pacioretty a look risk-free. That means only a PTO. Even at that point, should he agree, it would require him to be willing to sign a two-way contract for the league minimum.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!