With a determined surge in the home stretch, Laurel Park-based 7-year-old Something Awesome took home the $1.2 million Grade 2 Charles Town Classic on Saturday, dueling nose to nose with War Story before the finish line.
The stakes win is the third straight victory for the gelding, and his second stakes win in as many tries during the 2018 season.
Jockey Edgar Prado held Something Awesome near the back of the pack, behind pace-setter and 6-to-5 favorite Diversify, before pushing ahead on the backstretch and to the front of the field by the far turn.
“When they passed the first wire I saw that Edgar had him in a gallop and I said, ‘He’s sitting very well,’” trainer Jose Corrales told the Maryland Jockey Club. “Then he put him on the outside and he was watching when to make the move. He made the move and the other horse made a move and pinched him a little bit and they fought through the lane. It was not easy, but it was a very exciting race. After the wire the other horse passed him again and I said, ‘Well, I’m glad the jump was mine.’”
Said Prado: “When I pressed the pedal he gave me a nice long kick and he was able to prevail.”
Corrales trains Something Aweseome for Stronach Stables, the racing arm of the Stronach Group, which owns Laurel Park and Pimlico. The connections are now pointing the horse to the Grade 3 Pimlico Special, scheduled for Black-Eyed Susan Day on May 19.
Indicating that Something Awesome came out of the Charles Town Classic in good shape, Corrales said his horse should be ready to go.
“That’s what my main thing was, even before this race. That’s what I want to do, and he came back very well. He was ready to go again today,” Corrales said. “I’ll be very happy if I can win the Pimlico Special.”
