Defending champion Teachintherelease topped a full field of ten with two alternates in this year’s renewal of the Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders’ Classic, the richest race for West Virginia-breds on the 40th annual West Virginia Breeders Classics card. The Charles Town Races 10-race, all-stakes program boasts over $1 million in purses and is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET Saturday night.
The 6-year-old son of Teachintherelease built a strong resume at Castle Windsor when he was claimed by Robert Cole, Jr. Stephen Murdock and his teacher. Last year he won the Sam Huff WVBC, followed by two wins at the Frank Gall Memorial and the Randy Funkhouser Memorial. On the line 4/5 morning favorite from post four under the driver Carlos Lopez.
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Jubawithatwist was a 1-5 favorite in this race in 2024 before finishing third last. After only two starts at 4 years old, Juba’s son rounded into top form as a 5-year-old. He followed up a trio of unlikely second-place efforts with a win over top West Virginia-bred groomer Duncan Idaho in his final prep for Sam Huff. Antonio Lopez will have to work his way from behind ten to 9/2 in line for second choice this morning.
Instructor Jeff Runco will be represented by a pair of entrants: Spotafreeone (5/1 ML, post 2) and Audible Tempest (15/1 ML, post 1). Spotafreeone is the more accomplished of the two, winning the West Virginia Russell Road Breeders Classic and the Robert Leavitt Stakes for 3-year-olds. He went on to finish third in the Frank Gall Memorial behind Teachintherelease and Jubawithatwist in the Charles Town Classic last night. Arnold Bocachica has called Spotafreeone, while Jeiron Barbosa has been named to ride Audible Storm.
Xcellent Start, Neverpopthecork, Defiance of Giants, Gimmethatsugar, Fiber Proof, and Juice B Solve around the rest of the field off the rails, Juvenal Energy and Royal Pain would be some failures on the also-eligible list. The Classic will continue as stage 9 in the 10th program, with a post time of 11:02 pm ET.
The headline event of the night is the $125,000 West Virginia Cavada Breeders Classic, which ends as race 8 and features the last two race winners – 2024 winner Overnight Pow Wow for trainer Cyndy McKee and year-round winner Petty Perfect for trainer Kristy Petty. Wow Pow was installed overnight as this year’s Cavada morning line 3/5 favorite, with a small second choice finishing at 5/1.
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The West Virginia Breeders Classics kick off the festivities Friday, Oct. 9, with the Sam Huff Golf Classic in the morning at Locust Hill Golf Course followed by the Breeders Classics Gala that night at Beau Ridge Farm. Eclipse Award winner and multiple Hall of Fame inductee Chris Lincoln will emcee the gala. Doors will open at 6pm on Saturday, with live food on the club’s track, plus outdoor dining and drink options. Two-time Sam Huff West Virginia Breeders Classic winner Muad’dib will be honored before the race on the first night.
$300,000 SAM HUFF WEST VIRGINIA BREEDERS ATTIC
Race 9 – Post time 11:02 pm ET, 3& up, 1 1/8 Miles
Audible Storm, Jeiron Barbosa, 123, Jeff Runco
Spotafreeone, Arnaldo Bocachica, 126, Jeff Runco.
Xcellent Start, Fredy Peltroche, 126, Wade Sanderson
Teachintherelease, Carlos Lopez, 126, Stephen Murdock
Neverpopthecork, Reshawn Latchman, 126, Kristy Petty
Defiant Giant, Jose Diaz, 126 Timothy Shanley
Gimmethatsugar, JD Acosta, 126, Kristy Petty
Fiber Testing, Moises Santaella, 126 Michael Jones, Jr.
Hic Succus B solve, Jevian Toledo 126, Anthony Lucas
Jubawithatwist, Antonio Lopez, 126, Kristy Petty
(AE) Youthful Energy, Jacqueline Davis, 126, Anthony Lucas
(AE) Royal Pain, Jeiron Barbosa, 126 David Walters
This story was first published by Paulick Report on Oct. 8 2026, when first in the church News section Add the Paulck Report as Preferred Source by clicking here.