Charles Town picks and analysis: January 21, 2023
Ted Black- January 21, 2023
Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $14,799
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
3-4-7-6
In the Saturday night opener, a two-turn maiden $15,000 claiming event for state-bred three-year-old fillies, #3 Appealing Road (5-2) exits maiden special weight company for the first time and should benefit from class drop and recent outing for trainer Kevin Joy. #4 Isle Be There (9-5) also exits a pair of maiden special weight events for trainer Jeff Runco and makes seasonal debut in this spot off two-month break. #7 Awesome Moon (7-2) also exits maiden special weight company for the first time for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. and could forge mild upset in second seasonal try. #6 Showthemoneyhoney (6-1) also exits a pair of maiden special weight outings for trainer Kristy Petty and merits respect here.
RACE 2
4-8-7-3
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers to cap the early daily double, #4 Scinitillio (5-2) finished third last out and won two back over the strip for trainer John (Jerry) Robb of Little Bold John and Anna’s Bandit fame and gets the nod for mild upset here. #8 Mad Genius (9-5) returns from Laurel Park for trainer Anthony Farrior and fared well in previous two outings over the strip and looms a danger here. #7 Urban Warrior (8-1) was solid third two back and should benefit from last outing two weeks ago. #3 Tapit to the Wire (5-1) makes seasonal debut for trainer Jeff Runco and gives him outside chance at early daily double sweep.
- Sea Dancer gets valuable stakes win in CarouselSea Dancer, a younger half-sis to one of the top turf horses in the country, earned her first stakes win in Saturday’s Carousel at Laurel Park.
RACE 3
5-9-1-8
In this interesting one-turn starter/optional event for fillies and mares, #5 Tiz the Reason (4-5) has already prevailed this season and seeks third straight score overall for trainer Ronney Brown. #9 Cruz in the Castle (6-1) exits tough allowance group and won two back and gets favorable outside draw for upset bid in this spot. #1 College Kid (4-1) was solid second last out in seasonal debut and looms a threat despite tricky rail draw. #8 Distorted Splendor (20-1) makes seasonal debut for trainer Joseph Stehr but favorable draw gives her a chance to complete several gimmicks at a very generous price.
RACE 4
8-6-3-1
In this two-turn starter allowance for fillies and mares, #8 Dulcimer Dame (4-5) already owns a win against similar this year and seeks third straight overall for trainer Anthony Farrior as serious odds-on proposition. #6 Divine Fashion (8-1) has already won a pair of seasonal tries against claimers here and seeks third straight score for Farrior while making a modest class jump. #3 Targe (5-1) makes seasonal and local debut off Laurel Park score and merits respect here for trainer Gina Perri. #1 Valid Reason (12-1) gets favorable rail draw for owner-trainer John McKee and could complete several gimmicks at a generous price.
RACE 5
8-4-1-7
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #8 Tiz Michelle’s Way (7-2) seeks second straight tally while looking to overcome four-month respite for trainer and former jockey Keturah Obed-Letts. #4 Miss Wave (8-5) exits a pair of tough allowance events for trainer Kevin Patterson and looms a potential odds-on prospect here. #1 Platinum Frolic (6-1) prevailed two weeks earlier against similar and seeks second straight here for trainer Jeff Runco. #7 Mae Sai Princess (12-1) has been consistent sort throughout her career and makes seasonal debut for trainer Keith Brown.
RACE 6
10-9-8-5
In this one-turn dash for $5,000 claimers, #10 Loved Again (15-1) makes local debut off seasonal debut at Parx and gets the nod for surprise courtesy of favorable outside draw. #9 Johnny Swish (12-1) also gets favorable post draw for seasonal debut and merits respect at a generous price. #8 Forest Frost (5-1) makes seasonal debut for trainer Kevin Patterson after graduating against maiden claimers in most recent outing. #5 Saafen (7-5) looms the solid choice in this wide open affair while making season debut.
RACE 7
8-3-7-2
In this contentious, one-turn allowance dash for older runners, #8 Mr Tingles (3-1) gets favorable outside draw for trainer Anthony Farrior and gets the nod for mild upset in the Saturday feature. #3 Storm Boarder (5-2) makes seasonal debut off a solid second-place effort against similar for trainer Kevin Patterson and looms the tepid choice. #7 Hey Congrats (6-1) ended previous campaign with sharp score and makes seasonal debut seeking second straight for trainer Javier Contreras. #2 Ruling (6-1) posted a victory against claimers in his seasonal debut for trainer Jack Hurley and makes leap into allowance company here.
RACE 8
6-11-4-12
In the Saturday night finale, a two-turn event for maiden $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #6 Why Lea (7-2) was solid second two starts back and gets the nod for mild upset in seasonal debut for trainer Kristy Gazzier. #11 Sweet Valeria (7-5) exits local maiden special weight event after arriving from Churchill Downs for trainer Anthony Farrior and looms a possible odds-on play is she gets in off the also eligible list. #4 Mangorita (9-5) has been worse than third only once in last five tries for trainer David Walters and merits respect here. #12 Unbridled Irish (8-5) also deserves a look for Farrior if she gets in off the loaded AE list.
- “Miracle” horse All Caps wins first in two yearsAll Caps nearly died from an infection two years ago. So how did she get to the winner’s circle at Charles Town Saturday? “A miracle,” says her owner.
LATEST NEWS
4th.I “Betcha By Golly”might show
his”Hidden Identity” tonight.
5th. “Miss Wave”will cave and
” Clearly Visible”is risible and has
some”Marketability “.
6th.” Mi Gusto Es”, “Loved Again”,my friend.
7th.Say”Hey Cingrats”to”Ruling”who will.
8th.” Mangorita “is my”Sweet Valeria”in the last.
I hope you had a blast.