BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Langvad tries to extend his win streak to three Friday night at Charles Town Races when he faces seven other 3-year-olds off a two-month break in the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial. Named for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s longtime assistant, Sabine Langvad, the Florida-bred colt also looks for his second straight stakes victory at seven furlongs having won the $91,000 Carry Back at Gulfstream Park on June 27.
In addition to the winner’s share of the purse, an out-of-state victory in a non-graded stakes by Langvad could earn breeder John B. Penn of Ocala, Florida a $4,000 Export Incentive paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Langvad broke his maiden in November versus state-breds at Gulfstream Park then had three unsuccessful bids in stakes company. He was third in $102,000 Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs in December, sixth in the $150,000 Swale at Gulfstream in January and after a three-month break, was fifth in the $100,000 FHBPA Sprint versus Florida-breds at Gulfstream on April 25.
Joseph next tried him in a first condition allowance against older Florida-breds going six furlongs on May 23 and he responded with a victory, winning by five-and-a-quarter lengths after leading from the start. Last out on June 27 at Gulfstream, he again went wire-to-wire to take the seven-furlong Carry Back by three lengths.
Langvad is by Ocala Stud stallion Awesome Slew out of Malibu Melody, by Malibu Moon and has won three of seven career starts with a second and a third. A $23,000 purchase by Saffie Joseph Jr. out of Sue Vacek’s consignment at the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale, Langvad has since generated $149,610 on the track.
Micah Husbands has ridden Langvad in five of seven career starts, including his last three, and will get get the leg up Friday night. Langvad is 6-1 on the morning line and has post four.
Langvad is one of three entered for Joseph, who also saddles even-money program favorite Solitude Dude and Bravaro, a 8-1 choice on the morning line.
Solitude Dude has won four of seven career starts and comes into the Hilton after finishing second last time, just a neck off winner Local Knowledge in the Grade 2 Amersterdam going six-and-a-half furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on July 31.
Three of his wins have come in stakes including a victory ahead of Langvad in both the $102,000 Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs in December and in the Swale. He also took the $139,000 Bay Shore (Listed) at Aqueduct going seven furlongs in April.
Owned by Chris Fountoukis, the son of Yaupon was a $300,000 purchase by the trainer out of the Julie Davies consignment at the 2025 OBS June Sale.
An earner of $350,720, Solitude Dude will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione from post three.
Bravaro, who has not won since taking last year’s restricted Sleepy Hallow going a mile during the Belmont at Big A meet at Aqueduct in October, enters off a second to Sabino Canyon in the $102,000 Petramalo Mile at Colonial Downs on August 1.
Paco Lopez has the call on Bravaro from post two.
Completing the Robert Hilton Memorial line up are Corona de Oro, who will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Ryan’s Run with Arnaldo Bocachica in the saddle, Jaime Rodriguez will take the reins on Sculcos Folly, Tab At Zanzibar has Manny Franco named to ride and Ricardo Santana Jr. has the call on Volendam.
Return to the August 27 issue of Wire to Wire
