Skippylongstocking seeks rare repeat in Oaklawn Handicap

One of the highlights of Skippylongstocking's 2024 campaign, a victory in the Oaklawn H. (G2), might be one this year, too, if the six-year-old veteran gets home on top in Saturday's renewal of the $1.25 million feature over 1 1/8 miles.

As was the case 12 months ago, Skippylongstocking enters the Oaklawn 'Cap off a win versus lesser in the Challenger (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs on March 8. That followed a respectable third behind division stalwarts White Abarrio and Locked in the Pegasus World Cup (G1).

Gay Revoke (1964-65) is the only horse to win the Oaklawn H. twice in its time as an actual stakes, rather than as a named overnight handicap.

Banishing has been hot all winter at Oaklawn, winning four of his five starts, including the Oaklawn Mile (G3) on March 29. His lone setback, by only a head, was in the Razorback H. (G3), where he split Alexander Helios and First Mission in a three-way photo.

The Razorback was the first stakes win for Alexander Helios, a stablemate of Skippylongstocking in the barn of Saffie Joseph Jr. Multiple graded winner First Mission, who was making his first start in nearly six months, is a candidate to improve second off the bench.

Trainer Steve Asmussen will rely on a pair of closers, including last-out Essex H. (G3) scorer Red Route One. Joining him is Grade 3 winner and 2023 Travers (G1) runner-up Disarm, an allowance winner at Oaklawn in mid-March.

Among the undercard stakes on Saturday is the $200,000 Bath House Row S. for three-year-olds, a nine-furlong test that might yield a contender for the May 17 Preakness (G1).

Instant Replay is the most logical threat to win the Bath House Row following a belated third-place effort in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2). The Brad Cox trainee earned only 25 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points for the effort and was unlikely to make the field for the Churchill Downs classic.

Caldera was a troubled eighth in the Louisiana Derby after being beaten a nose in the Sunland Park Derby, while trainer Bob Baffert ships in third-time starter Tiz Secure.