Charles Town picks and analysis: December 17
Ted Black- December 17, 2022
Charles Town has a nine-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: None
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
5-6-10-1
In the opener on the final card of the 2022 season at Charles Town, #5 Gandhi’s Orion (7-2) should benefit from recent outing over the strip for trainer Kristy Gazzier and garner his diploma in this two-turn maiden $5,000 claiming event. #6 Stavanger (5-2) exits maiden special weight company last out for trainer Anthony Farrior and looms the logical post time favorite in this spot. #10 Are You Happy (3-1) was solid second at the level last out and is seeking to score in 13th outing this year and 25th career try for trainer Kevin Joy. #1 Turtleneck Ted (10-1) gets favorable inside draw and could complete several gimmicks at a generous price here.
RACE 2
1-3-6-7
In this two-turn allowance for state-bred two-year-old fillies to cap the early daily double, #1 Music Lass (5-2) was sharp second against male rivals in the recent West Virginia Futurity for trainer Clifford Tuomisto and looks poised to regain her winning ways here as the solid choice. #3 Xanthe (3-1) graduated last out in her third try against maiden special weight foes and seeks second straight tally while trying winners for the first time for owner-trainer Gerasimos Moschonoas. #6 Lucky Blonde (4-1) graduated last out after exiting a pair of stakes and seeks second straight tally here for trainer Tim Grams. #7 Keep On Spurrin (6-1) exits a pair of state-bred stakes for owner-trainer Kristy Petty and merits an upset chance.
- Im the Director solid fave in WV FuturityIt’s last call for state-bred 2-year-olds, and Im the Director will look to add a second stakes win to his resume.
RACE 3
1-8-4-2
In this two-turn event for maiden $5,000 claimers, #1 Rip It (7-2) makes second start over the strip for trainer Donnovan Haughton and gets favorable inside draw with solid chance at diploma. #8 Gorun (6-5) finished solid third last out and looms the odds-on choice in this group for trainer Anthony Farrior. #4 To Live Is To Love (5-1) finished 10th in career debut against maiden special weight company at Colonial Downs in August and seeks improved effort in local debut for trainer Javier Contreras. #2 My Miracle Man (8-1) could complete several gimmicks at a decent price here for trainer Tim Shanley.
RACE 4
10-13-7-8
In this one-turn dash for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #10 Lunar Prayer (9-2) was solid third last out and gets favorable outside draw for trainer Ralph Comi, Jr. with chance to end seasonal drought. #13 Jalebi Baby (8-5) could be odds-on in this spot for trainer Anthony Farrior if she gets in off the AE list. #7 Risksrhighpayislow (3-1) has been in good form of late for trainer Michael Atkins and certainly merits respect here. #8 Red Priestess (5-1) graduated against maiden claimers last out in her 17th career outing and seeks second straight score while facing winners for the first time.
RACE 5
6-10-9-3
In this one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-bred two-year-olds, #6 Gold Fiber (3-1) was solid second in career debut at this level and looks destined to graduate here for owner-breeder-trainer John McKee. #10 La Maddalena (5-1) was also second in her career debut for trainer Crystal Pickett and looks to garner her diploma against primarily male rivals here. #9 Gettin Spicy (9-1) makes career debut off a series of solid gate works for trainer Tim Grams and merits respect in this spot. #3 Two Room School (7-2) was third in each of last two for trainer Greg Viands and cannot be overlooked here.
RACE 6
1-3-2-4
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #1 Dance to the Beach (7-5) makes local debut for trainer Anthony Farrior after winning three of her first four starts at Finger Lakes and looms the odds-on choice despite the three-month break. #3 Social Exclusion (12-1) exits allowance company in local debut following a win at Finger Lakes and merits an upset chance at a generous price. #2 Lady Kaza (9-2) won two back against similar and gets chance to atone for allowance outing last out for trainer Kevin Joy. #4 Torch Carrier (5-1) prevailed last out over the strip for trainer Charles Frock and seeks second straight here.
- “Bittersweet moment” as Hessica hits retirementTwo-time WVBC Cavada winner Hessica couldn’t get one last win, settling for second November 9, but she’s had quite a career for owner-trainer Kristy Petty.
RACE 7
10-11-8-5
In this one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-breds, #10 In the Limelight (5-1) showed improvement last out at the level and gets favorable outside draw for solid upset chance for trainer Vernon Greaves. #11 Officer Stone (9-2) appears set for career debut off a series of solid recent works for trainer Ollie Figgins III and merits respect if he draws in off the AE list. #8 My Phoenix (5-2) makes second start off lengthy respite for trainer John McKee but has yet to hit the board in eight previous outings. #5 It’s Only Money (10-1) is looking to live up to the reputation of his previous namesake for trainer Crystal Pickett.
RACE 8
9-8-11-6
In this one-turn dash for $6,250 claimers, #9 Father Walsh (4-1) exits a pair of allowance events at Finger Lakes and gets favorable outside draw for local debut for trainer Ollie Figgins III of Dance to Bristol Fame. #8 Moss Boss (7-2) won last out and twice in his last three tries for trainer Kevin Joy and certainly merits respect in this competitive group. #11 Campeador (3-1) has certainly faced much tougher at Gulfstream Park and deserves a look off the five-month break for trainer Anthony Farrior if he gets in off the AE list. #6 Jungle Warrior (5-1) exits a pair of recent allowance events and gives Joy a modest chance to run one-two in this spot.
RACE 9
1-7-6-5
In the Saturday night and season finale and the ultimate “get out” race for local players, #1 Shesahumblehustler (4-1) gets coveted rail draw and should finally graduate in this two-turn maiden $5,000 claiming event for fillies and mares for trainer Tim Shanley. #7 Why Lea (3-1) was solid second last out and merits respect here for trainer Kristy Gazzier. #6 Can’t Figure (5-2) has spent much of the season facing maiden special weight foes for owner-trainer john Stahlin and looms the solid choice in this spot. #5 Little MIss Minion (9-2) makes second start over the strip for trainer Jamey Johnson and could forge a mild upset here in the season finale.
LATEST NEWS
1st.I’m always waryer of Farrior
but “Brother Merle” looks worth a whirl.
2nd.I can’t get past”Music Lass”she makes a good”Impression”
and just may be “Strong Willed”.
3rd.`”My Miracle Man”can but I think “Gorun”will win for fun.
1st.An early squeeze doomed “Bro Merle”
2nd.Nobody could get past”Musical Lass”
and “Impressionsm” completed the exacts.
3rd.I hope you boxed my two for second Exacta in a row.
4th.”Lunar Prayer”may be a stayer tonight
but that “Red Priestess” looks like a “Diva Gal”and she shall.
5th.”Getting Spicy”looks nicey
but”Astrayal”is thegelding for me.
6th.I can’t”Dance To The Beach”so I’ll
reach fora”Shiny Penny”to be”Practically There”.
4th.Third exacta in a row
and the night is still young.
5th.”Strollininthewind”had us blowing in the wind….
6th.OH_That hurt,nosed at the wire maybe I should retire.
7th.I see”Donnie B”to make
it “In The Limelight” tonight.
8th.”Campeador”looks ready to score
but I won’t toss”Moss Boss”and”Attuck”
could get unstuck.
9th.I”Can’t Figure”Why Lea”should be
anywhere except the Winners Circle.
7th.Are they reading my picks?
They bet this one down like they knew something.
8th.”Hey Congrats”Ted
you had the last winner of the year.
It’s been fun,
vaya con Dios,amigos
I hope you’re right, I’m betting everything you wrote!