Charles Town picks and horses to watch: March 17, 2023

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Charles Town Races has a nine-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, $139,300

Check out our other handicapping here!

Which Charles Town jockeys and trainers are hot right now?

RACE

Race 7

CONTENDERS

8-7-1-2

ANALYSIS

Let’s look to a first-timer in this maiden event in the form of #8 Gladriel (7-2). This daughter of Dialed In is out of the Creative Cause mare Theonewewaitedfor, who won the only two starts of her too-brief career, including a minor stake at Santa Anita. Her only offspring to date, Cairo Calling, took a little time but has developed into a useful local horse. This miss has been training well enough, including a couple of bullet moves, and attracts the services of leading rider Arnaldo Bocachica, who rode the seven-horse in here in that one’s credible debut but lands here instead… Speaking of #7 Kelsey’s Angel (6-1), that was a perhaps better-than-it-looks bow. She broke in air, made a middle move into contention, and flattened out a bit late. She’s showing two works since and has a big chance to improve today… #1 Calera Love (9-2) showed promise in her debut but will need to get back to that level today… Coming out of the same last race as Calera Love is #2 Irish Valentine (5-1), who if nothing else is the St. Patrick’s Day hunch play of the century…

Race 8

9-2-8-3

Two back #9 Drinkwiththestars (7-2) was favored over Amidships in a race in which both had to check at the break, this one especially sharply. He didn’t run a step thereafter but came back with an improved second, behind Amidships last out. If he can get away without incident, he’s got a shot to bounce back to his best efforts, which would quite possibly put him in the winner’s circle today… #2 Fiber Strong (9-2) ran a huge one last out, defeating Amidships among others. That was two months ago, and a repeat would likely be good enough… #8 Amidships (5-2) may be speed of the speed, which means you certainly have to respect him, and the outer post is a plus, too. He ran a freakish race three back when checking out of contention early, rushing up, and fighting on for second, and followed that up with a win. But last out he disappointed as the favorite, and while that’s not the end of the world by any means, the way he lost is something of a concern, as he pretty much threw in the towel late, ultimately finishing a well-beaten third… #3 Majestic Seas (5-1) has finished third against similar twice recently, and trainer Anthony Farrior wins at a 36% clip first off the claim at CT…

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