CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND HORSES TO WATCH: April 1

Charles Town Races has an eight-race card on tap for this evening. Post time for the opener is 7:00 p.m., and we’ve got Charles Town picks.

Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $154,346 (mandatory payout today)

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE

Race 5

CONTENDERS

3-5-1-8

ANALYSIS

Let’s give the nod to second-time starter #3 Talented Corinna (8-1) in this maiden contest. The sophomore ran evenly on debut going 4 1/2 furlongs; she’ll get more ground today, and trainer Ronney Brown adds blinkers. She’s a full sister to the talented Uncle Ernie, recently third in the Fishtown Stakes at Parx… Leading trainer Anthony Farrior tried #5 Startwithabang (5-2) against better at Laurel last out first off the claim, which didn’t go all that well as she was an even fifth as the favorite. This looks to be a better spot for the Jump Start filly… #1 Lady Cinco de Mayo (6-1) just missed last out in a one-turn dash locally. Her only prior try going two turns was not good, but that came on a sloppy track back in October. Let’s see if she can continue her good form today with the added ground… #8 Spunky Zoey (9-5) has been second or third in four consecutive starts against special weight company at Penn National…

Race 7

8-1-5-7

We’ll try to beat the strong favorite (more on him in a minute) here with #8 Primal Destiny (3-1). This guy returned from a freshening with a good second last out and makes his second start following a five-month break today. He’s got plenty of early speed to get the early front, and today he has the benefit of being drawn outside the other speed types. Look for an improved effort… The big favorite here is #1 Beverly Park (1-1), but we’re inclined to try to beat him on top for a couple of reasons. First, this’ll be his 10th start of 2022, his second in a week; he’s been remarkably consistent so far this year, but you have to imagine that if he keeps this torrid schedule, at some point he throws in some clunkers. Additionally, while he’s speedy, he doesn’t appear to have the speed to make the front early; in his lone prior local try at 4 1/2, he was sixth after the opening quarter-mile. Breaking from the one-hole, that might pose a challenge to jockey J. D. Acosta to work out a trip. He’s arguably the most likely winner, but the value proposition doesn’t seem likely to be there… #5 To the Front (12-1) has won at this level a number of times… #7 Ruling (12-1) makes his season bow here; two back he bested similar…

LATEST NEWS