By J.N. Campbell
Banishing (Ghostzapper) spoiled a bid by Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) to win the GII Charles Town Classic for the third year in a row when he successfully shipped in for West Virginia's biggest night at the races on Friday.
The veteran who is co-owned by trainer David Jacobson scored his biggest triumph in the GIII Oaklawn Mile in Hot Springs Mar. 29 when he dueled and then defeated GISW Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming). Banishing was bested by First Mission (Street Sense) in the GII Oaklawn Handicap the next month, but he did finish one better than Skipplongstocking. The gelding continued to take on divisional foes and was game in defeat when Mindframe (Constitution) rallied in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes to get his picture taken by a neck. Banishing was the runner-up in a dead heat with 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist). The chestnut was last seen winning the Jefferson Hill Memorial Stakes by a nose over 'TDN Rising Star' Booth (Mitole) at Ellis Park July 20.
Tabbed as the 5-2 second choice on the tote behind favorite Skippylongstocking, Banishing dropped back and appeared a touch rank shifting off the rail heading into the first turn of three. Meanwhile, the chalk made the front and began to serve as the controlling pace as the field moved past the grandstand for the first time. With Tyler Gaffalione at the controls, Banishing suddenly accelerated around the entire field up the backstretch and took control as Skippylongstocking faded. That jump by the 5-year-old made the difference since no one could mount a successful charge down the lane–though Willy D's (Lookin At Lucky) tried valiantly.
Pedigree Notes:
Banishing's sire (by Awesome Again) claims Canadian Horse of the Year Moira, current sire Mystic Guide and dual GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine Goodnight Olive among his many graded winners. The Jacobson trainee is on the same Ghostzapper-A.P. Indy cross as another Charles Town Classic victor, Moreno.
Dowager is responsible for current 2-year-old filly in-training Take the Helm (Astern {Aus]) and she foaled a colt by Speaker's Corner earlier this year. Banishing's second dam is MGSW Marietta (Machiavellian) and his extended female family includes GSW Watershed (Bernardini).
Friday, Charles Town
CHARLES TOWN CLASSIC S.-GII, $1,000,000, Charles Town, 8-22, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:53.26, ft.
1–BANISHING, 121, g, 5, by Ghostzapper
1st Dam: Dowager, by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Marietta, by Machiavellian
3rd Dam: Minister Wife, by Deputy Minister
($80,000 4yo '24 FTKHRA). O-Lawrence P. Roman and David Jacobson; B-Godolphin (KY); T-David Jacobson; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $582,000. Lifetime Record: 23-9-5-2, $1,890,709. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Willy D's, 119, g, 4, Lookin At Lucky–Boston Mine, by Mineshaft. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($60,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Paradise Farms Corp.; B-Beau Lane (KY); T-Michael Maker. $194,000.
3–Gould's Gold, 119, c, 4, Goldencents–Goose Martini, by Bernardini. ($100,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT). O-4 G Racing LLC, Lance Gasaway and Magdalena Racing; B-Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $97,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 3, HF. Odds: 2.70, 4.90, 9.50.
Also Ran: Awesome Aaron, Komorebino Omoide (Jpn), Trademark, Alexander Helios, Skippylongstocking.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
💥 BANISHING ($7.40) exiled the rest in the $1 million Charles Town Classic (G2) at @RaceCharlesTown. @Tyler_Gaff gave a masterful ride on the Ghostzapper gelding trained by David Jacobson. Congrats to all the connections! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/U0p2BxLhbw
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 23, 2025
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