Charles Town picks and horses to watch: August 12
Frank Vespe- August 12, 2022
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, $7,051
- Dean Delivers seeks return to winning ways in Dave’s FriendDean Delivers, winner of July’s De Francis Dash, returns to Laurel Park Saturday to headline the Dave’s Friend Stakes.
RACE
Race 3
CONTENDERS
3-7-6-1
ANALYSIS
State-bred juvenile maiden fillies take center stage in this heat. Trainer Crystal Pickett sent out the top pair in a similar event July 22 at the track, and runner-up #3 Let’s Do This (7-2) returns in this spot. She was no match for winner Great Spirit in last but did finish a couple clear of the rest… Pretty good genes for #7 Sail On Breeze (3-1), and that’s not all there is to like. The Street Boss filly is a half-sister to half-million dollar earner Lewisfield, the talented Coastal Mission, and others. Runco has a strong record with first-time starters, and this one has a good worktab in preparation for her bow. For good measure, top rider Bocachica is signed on after having ridden the Farrior-trained #5 Owe You One (4-1) in her first two… #6 Jackysinthecastle (8-1) makes her debut for trainer James Casey, who wins at a 19% clip with first timers. This one is a half to the stakes winner Jacky’s Notion… Leading trainer Farrior has two in this spot, and while #1 Patti Blue Eyes (9-2) will have to work out a trip from the rail — a good break is imperative — she gets top bug rider Mendez in the irons. Half-brother Blushing Owen won at first asking…
Race 4
5-2-4-3
Top choice #5 Thunder Punch (2-1) ran a good one first off the Kevin Joy claim against open $10,000 claimers, now returns to state-bred company. In a race filled with need-the-lead types, she’s demonstrated the ability to sit just off it and pounce… #2 Goodness Gracious (5-1) returns to action for the first time since March; trainer Contreras wins at a 15% clip off the bench. This one won nicely two back to graduate; last time she was a step slow leaving the gate and didn’t have the most comfortable trip, but she kept trying all the way to the wire. A clean break would go a long way towards making her a major player against these… #4 Witness the Energy (6-1) seems to be moving in the right direction. Her only off-color outings in her last half-dozen came with excuses. She’ll get tested for class here, though… Morning line favorite #3 Worth a Peek (6-5) galloped last time out at Mountaineer going 5 1/2. That was two months ago, and that was her first in almost a year, which suggests there are some issues they’ve had to work on. Plus, the kind of early speed needed for a 4 1/2-furlong is different from that going 5 1/2, and if she finds herself off the lead, or fighting it out with multiple others, how will she react? All in all, there are too many queestions to take odds this short, in our view…
LATEST NEWS
3rd.Lopez may say”I Owe You One”to Bocachica;
This”Cat Has A Notion” that”Jackysinthecastle”may give her a hassle.
I can’t pick them all but “Lets Do This”; “Patti Blue Eyes”flies on the inside.
I guess I”I Owe You”an apology Mr Bocachica,you do know where to go,
this will influence my future handicapping decisions,maybe Frank’s too.
We gonna do this again,Frank?
Where’s my 4th. race remarks?
I suspect what’s happening, Rick, is that you’re seeing a cached version of the page because all of these comments show up normally on my end and have not been moderated.
4th.”Goodness Gracious”I can’t go against Contreras
but have a hunch”Thunder Punch”may be “Worth a Wager”.
I guess Kevin Joy has lotsa fans,
but Oh Boy did those Chalkistas get disappointed
by my man Contreras