[boxify cols_use =”2″ cols =”5″ position =”right” order =”none” box_spacing =”5″ padding =”3″ background_color =”gray” background_opacity =”25″ border_width =”1″ border_color =”blue” border_style =”dotted” height =”155″ ]UPCOMING STAKES

SATURDAY

  • Violet Handicap (CT) — Fillies and mares, four years old and up, 4 1/2 furlongs[/boxify]

With the Charles Town Classic card just three weeks away, the track is carding races to give some potential performers a last prep before the big weekend.  On Thursday, Charles Town ace and regional fan favorite Immortal Eyes (here) took the measure of his rivals in the $35,000 Ides of March Handicap under a confident ride by Travis Dunkelberger.

On Saturday at Charles Town, those prep races will continue, first with an allowance contest and then with the Violet Handicap.  In the 6 1/2 furlong allowance race, race 7, Lucy’s Bob Boy figures tough to beat at 2-5, a distance at which he’s three-for-three.  It’ll be the first start of ’14 for the five year-old, who’s won 16 of 22 career starts (20-16-3-0 at Charles Town) for earnings of over $634,000.  Arnaldo Bocachica rides the West Virginia-bred for trainer Sandra Dono.

In the eighth, the $35,000 Violet Handicap for older fillies and mares sprinting…

  1. Aix En Provence (15-1) — Low percentage rider and low percentage trainer team up with a mare that’s won two of 25 career starts, none since 2012, and carries a 20-race losing streak.  Only prior stakes try was a 23-length defeat in ’12 Maryland Million Distaff…
  2. Flip the Switch (8-1) — Ran willingly enough in two-length defeat to Jax and Jill in last try, in Decmeber, particularly since she lagged back in sixth early, a change from normal style that sees her up on the engine.  Weather conditions pose some questions, as last two tries in wet have seen her well back early.  Rates a chance to outrun her odds…
  3. Wardelle (4-1) — Odd spot for talented winner of more than $350,000, as last and only visit to West Virginia oval was to win 7-furlong, two-turn Pink Ribbon.  Does her best running on or near the pace, and may have to scramble to get close to it in short sprint.  Suspect 7-furlong Sugar Maple is the larger goal, and this just for the trip on the track…
  4. Red Penny Princess (20-1) — Both her wins are at 4 1/2 furlongs, but the positives end there for a horse whose career-best Beyer — 53 — is 30 to 40 points below several rivals…
  5. Joyous Music (7-5) — Hugh McMahon trainee enters the favorite after giving up the ghost in the lane and being wrapped up to the wire by J.D. Acosta in eight-length defeat last out, losing to several of these, including second favorite Jax and Jill.  Front-running sort owns seven wins at the distance and some gaudy Beyers but may face similar problem as last time — other, perhaps speedier, speed in the form of Jax and Jill…
  6. Mountain Echo (12-1) — Oregon-bred won only try at the distance but makes first visit to Charles Town from Bowie base.  Fifteen-time winner has banked over $300,000 and won a couple of minor stakes at Fort Erie.  Regular rider Mallory Strandberg makes the trip over.  In first try off a four month layoff, she ran well to be second against $25,000 optional claimers, but jump up to $40,000 level ill-advised.  A return to better form puts her in the mix here…
  7. Apparent Danger (15-1) — Speedy sort has the wheels to confound the pace scenario but would be a surprise if she stayed to the end of the party.  Ran fifth off a layoff last out after leading into the lane.  Though five, she has made just 11 career starts, so further improvement — necessary to compete with these — is not out of the question…
  8. Jax and Jill (2-1) — Doing the thing she loves best — sprinting 4 1/2 furlongs — this horse is an absolute beast, with eight wins and a second from nine tries, with her only defeat to similarly tough Down Town Allen.  Four of nine wins came in stakes company, and defeated similar impressively last out.  Breaks outside the main speed for regular pilot Gerald Almodovar and looks the one to beat…

ELSEWHERE…

Saturday is closing day at Laurel Park, and then on to Pimlico.  The training title will be decided on the last day of the meet, but the riding title is already done.  Trevor McCarthy takes the prize; the apprentice has won 54 races during the winter meet, 18 clear of Victor Carrasco…

One horse on the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll is in action this weekend.  Blueskiesnrainbows, the number 1 Midlantic-bred older horse, is the 5-2 morning line favorite in Saturday’s Grade 3, 1 1/2 mile Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita…

Another regional horse of interest in action this weekend: West Virginia-bred Giovanni Boldini is the 5-2 morning line favorite in the $2 million UAE Derby on Saturday.  A victory could yield a springtime trip to Kentucky for the Triple Crown nominee…

Rider David Cora inched closer to 2,000 career wins last weekend and again this evening, taking the first at Penn National.  He needs one more to get to the mark, and he has nine cracks to get it this weekend.