Charles Town picks and analysis: January 28, 2023
Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $33,387
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
2-5-3-4
In the opening race on the final live card of January at Charles Town, a two-turn maiden special weight event for state-bred older runners, #2 Nice But Naughty (9-2) was solid third in seasonal debut on opening night here and looks primed for mild upset here for trainer Angelo Jackson. #5 River Malbumoonrvf (4-5) has been second twice and third twice in first four career outings and makes seasonal debut as likely odds-on choice here for trainer Jeff Runco. #3 Don’tcalltooearly (5-1) was fourth in seasonal debut after ending previous campaign with a pair of runner-up efforts for trainer Michael Atkins and certainly merits respect here. #4 Irish Flight (8-1) was solid second in career debut last spring but will have to atone for latest two outings.
RACE 2
6-5-3-4
In this one-turn dash for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares to cap the early daily double, #6 Mi Yayis (7-2) kicked off the campaign with sharp local score and seeks second straight for trainer Ronney Brown. #5 Unlock (5-2) exits tough starter optional event and looks to benefit from class drop as the likely solid favorite here. #3 K K Can (5-1) was solid second in seasonal debut and could certainly benefit from that effort in this spot. #4 Ride On Beauty (8-1) prevailed in her local debut two months ago and could forge mild surprise here.
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RACE 3
5-1-7-2
In this rare, three-turn maiden special weight event for older runners, #5 Taraashoq (3-5) has been second in each of two local tries against similar for trainer Miguel Ramos Agosto and should finally graduate in this spot at a very short price. #1 Shannonrun (10-1) was fifth in seasonal and local debut and gets favorable rail draw to give Agosto genuine chance at one-two finish here. #7 Adara (9-2) gets chance to atone for local debut last out for trainer Stacey Viands of Parisian Diva fame. #2 Shakin It Big Time (12-1) has been fourth in each of last two outings and should benefit from recent effort and inside draw here.
RACE 4
2-3-5-1
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #2 Jack’s Lilly (2-1) returns from Penn National for seasonal debut for trainer Anthony Farrior and looms the solid choice at post time. #3 Practically There (9-2) was solid second in seasonal debut for trainer Ernest Haynes for Lake Ponchatrain fame and could forge mild upset here. #5 Imagine Victory (5-2) returns from Laurel Park for seasonal debut for trainer Crystal Pickett and certainly merits respect in this spot. #1 Vicious Velma makes seasonal and local debut but gets the coveted rail here with an upset chance.
RACE 5
8-6-3-2
In this one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-bred older, #8 Officer Stone (5-1) makes career debut off series of solid works for trainer Ollie Figgins III of Dance to Bristol fame and gets the nod for mild upset courtesy of favorable outside draw. #6 My Phoenix (9-2) has been second in each of last two starts for owner-breeder-trainer John McKee and certainly merits respect in this spot. #3 Golden Arrow (3-1) makes career debut off several sharp gate drills for trainer Jeff Runco and looms the tepid choice here. #2 In the Limelight (7-2) makes eighth attempt at diploma and seeks to atone for dull effort last out for trainer Vernon Greaves.
RACE 6
2-3-1-4
In this rare, three-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #2 Excalibur (9-2) makes local debut off solid second-place effort at Laurel Park last out for trainer Kevin Dove, Jr. and gets the nod for mild upset. #3 Hanalai’s Houdini (8-5) makes local and seasonal debut. #1 Southside Warrior (8-1) makes seasonal debut off solid score last out for trainer Jack Hurley and certainly merits respect with coveted rail draw here. #4 Tappin for Glory (5-1) was decent fourth in seasonal debut last out for trainer Kevin Joy and should benefit from that effort.
- CT: Septarian off to speedy startTwo-year-old Septarian has hit the ground running, winning first out at Charles Town and then doubling up with a win at Laurel for Javier Contreras.
RACE 7
8-6-7-10
In this one-turn allowance/optional $15,000 claiming dash for fillies and mares, #8 Manarola (3-1) makes seasonal debut for trainer Javier Contreras after facing stakes company several times and gets the nod in contentious affair. #6 Determined Love (7-2) makes seasonal and local debut off three straight victories at Fort Erie for owner-trainer Nick Guy Mileni, Jr. and certainly merits respect here. #7 Deemed Essential (5-1) also makes seasonal debut for trainer Anthony Farrior after concluding previous campaign with a win and could forge mild upset in this spot. #10 Willow Moon (8-1) also makes seasonal debut for trainer Joan Reynolds and seeks to atone for latest after winning two back.
RACE 8
1-4-8-9
In the Saturday night finale, a two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #1 Kitten’s Man (5-1) arrives off a victory at Penn National in his seasonal debut and gets favorable inside draw for upset chance and repeat bid. #4 Better Boogie (9-2) was solid second in seasonal debut for owner-trainer Lela Hanagan and certainly merits respect in this spot. #8 Sugar Daddy (7-2) was decent third in seasonal debut off the class drop and looms the tepid post time choice here for trainer Anthony Farrior. #9 Happy Champ (4-1) makes seasonal debut off seven-month respite for trainer Ronney Brown and might need a start or two before attaining peak form.
LATEST NEWS
1st.”Its Only Money”but I can’t go
up the”RiverMalbumoonfry”so “Irish Flight”might be right.
2nd.I’ll”Ride On Beauty”to “K K Can”,man.
3rd.I,too have gusto for Agusto but:Shaakin It Big Time”will be mine.
4th.I can’t”Imagine Victory”for anyone
because”Jack’s Lilly:is a real dilly and you
wold be silly to bet against her.
5th.”Officer Stone”is in a bad zone,
new runners tend to break for open space,
but”Golden Arrow”should shoot straight.
6th.I have no love for Kevin Dove but Jack Hurley
is”Tappin For Glory”with KL Joy.
7th.I have some”Determined Love”forNick G
but his is not my pick,Deemed Essential”is the potential winner.
if”Manarola”rolls over.
8th.”Kitten’s Man”sure can but he “Better Boogie”
if he wants to beat”Jimmy The Kid”you not in this spot.
8th.”Jimmy The Kid”did hit the skid late
and I am sorry to report that I did not cash that exacta