Charles Town picks and horses to watch: February 17, 2023
Frank Vespe- February 17, 2023
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, $34,421; Pick 5, $26,755
- 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
Race 2
CONTENDERS
4-2-1-8
ANALYSIS
Morning line favorite #4 El Lucerito (6-5) was 31-1 on debut and just missed after leading a long way, run down in the final stages by favored Runaldo, who was well beaten last night in his follow-up. You won’t get 31-1 this time, but a repeat of that should make him a winner tonight… The chart doesn’t entirely tell the tale of the debut race for #2 Court Tudor (20-1). This one walked out of the gate and was last a long way in the early going before making a sharp move into the fast part of the race and finally flattening out. Not a great debut by any means but better than it looked and perhaps a useful education. He get blinkers on tonight, and a sharper break could make a world of difference… #1 O’Rigsby (6-1) makes his debut here for owner-breeder-trainer Elizabeth Meehan. The work tab’s not bad, and this one is a son of Upstart, who stands for $30,000… Useful enough first outing for #8 Born to Sin (4-1). It’s been a bit of a slow start to the season for Tim Grams’s barn, but you know they’ll start to heat up sooner or later…
Race 5
1-3-8-4
Top choice #1 C R’s Mandate (9-2) had a couple of outstanding efforts in the fall, winning the WVBC Onion Juice (at 26-1) and the finishing less than a length behind Muad’dib in the Funkhouser Memorial at 34-1. His first start of this season wasn’t bad and could presage a return to his best form. If so, he’ll rate an upset chance tonight… If he is to score the upset, he could probably use an off night from morning line favorite #3 Coastal Mission (3-5). This Jeff Runco trainee has won his last two with ease, and his only defeat in four local tries came going 4 1/2 furlongs in the Coin Collector, not his best game. He’s a handful on best… We’re inclined to give another crack to #8 Monaasib (15-1). He didn’t run well last time out, but that was his first local try, first night race, and first on a bullring. The experience can’t hurt and could help… #4 Sargent Kobe (12-1) won nicely last out and arrives in good form…
LATEST NEWS
2nd.I don’t think”Born To Sin”will win
unless he can really come in from the outside box.
I think “El Lucerito”will bounce,maybe “Rocking Chair”can get there.
5th.I will avoid “Noid”because “Coastal Mission”is a Crowd Pleaser.
5th. “Coastal Mission”gave a 10% or 20% commission
on about 100 grand of the flat money.
8th.For my”Final Say”in “Triple Jeopardy”is
“Excalibur”will cut them all to ribbons,that’s
the “Edict”.