Charles Town picks and analysis: April 8, 2023
Charles Town has a nine-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $29,489
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
8-7-5-6
In the Saturday night opener, a one-turn maiden $15,000 claiming dash for fillies and mares, #8 Looking for Flare (5-2) gets favorable outside draw while exiting a pair of maiden special weight events and making her seasonal debut for trainer Robert Bailes. #7 Exclusive Rose (15-1) makes local debut for trainer and former jockey Calixto Juarez and gets favorable spot for genuine upset chance. #5 Kelsey’s Angel (3-1) exits maiden special weight company for trainer Anthony Farrior and will get ample backing in this spot. #6 Everydayisagift (12-1) offered little in career debut effort against maiden special weight company for trainer Jack Hurley but should improve in this spot.
RACE 2
7-2-3-6
In this interesting, two-turn allowance for state-bred older runners, #7 Coastal Mission (3-5) returns following a decent outing against stakes foes at Laurel Park and looms the shortest-priced favorite on the card for trainer Jeff Runco. #2 Late In the Game (6-1) won last out for trainer Ronald Sigler and seeks second straight while likely making late bid. #3 Icing (5-1) has won his last two and three of four starts already this year for trainer Norman “Lynn” Cash and will be a modest price while seeking third straight tally. #6 Candy Invasion (9-2) also does his best running from well off the pace for trainer Kristy Petty and late owner-breeder John A. Casey and closing kick could earn him more than minor spoils.
- Dean Delivers seeks return to winning ways in Dave’s FriendDean Delivers, winner of July’s De Francis Dash, returns to Laurel Park Saturday to headline the Dave’s Friend Stakes.
RACE 3
1-2-6-4
In this wide open, three-turn maiden $5,000 claiming event, #1 Big Redwhiteblue (10-1) gets favorable inside draw with genuine upset chance. #2 Enano (12-1) also gets a favorable draw and should be able to work out an ideal trip for possible generous exacta payoff. #6 Adara (9-5) looms the possible odds-on favorite in this event for trainer Stacey Viands of Parisian Diva fame and certainly merits respect here. #4 Only Get’n Better (8-1) cannot be overlooked in this spot for trainer Tim Shanley.
RACE 4
4-3-6-2
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #4 Mizzen (7-5) has been second once and third twice in four starts this year but looks poised for elusive first seasonal score as the solid favorite for trainer Anthony Farrior. #3 Kobe’s Girl (9-2) won her most recent outing for owner-trainer Mario Serey, Jr. and could repeat at a modest price here. #6 Tout Ensemble (5-2) won two back for trainer Greg Viands and deserves a chance to atone for latest outing. #2 Salamina (8-1) gets favorable draw for former jockey Calixto Juarez and cannot be entirely dismissed.
RACE 5
7-8-9-1
In this interesting, two-turn maiden special weight event for state-breds, #7 Just Murphy (5-2) has finished third once and fourth once in two career outings from trainer Jeff Runco and should garner dilpoma in this spot. #8 Ziggy Stardust (2-1) was sixth in seasonal debut and returns from three-month respite for trainer Javier Contreras. #9 Don’tcalltooearly (7-2) makes fourth seasonal start and 12th overall for trainer Michael Atkins while seeking elusive diploma. #1 Reverend Jack (8-1) makes seasonal debut for trainer John Carlisle and cannot be dismissed if fresh and fit.
RACE 6
2-3-6-7
In this two-turn starter/optional $5,000 claiming event, #2 Jayjaydee (9-5) returns from allowance outing at Penn National and won here two back for trainer Tim Kreiser and looms the solid choice in this spot. #3 Unequivocal (9-2) has yet to prevail from four seasonal tries for trainer Anthony Aguirre, Jr. but merits respect here. #6 Raise a4- Speights (2-1) has won twice and been second twice in four starts this year for trainer Anthony Farrior and certainly cannot be dismissed in this spot. #7 Welling (5-1) topped claimers at Laurel Park in seasonal debut but arrives off three-month rest.
- “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
10-7-6-4
In this very interesting and intriguing, one-turn maiden special weight dash, #10 The Clown (8-1) makes seasonal and local debut for trainer Tim Grams and gets favorable outside draw and genuine upset chance. #7 Runaway Road (7-2) finished solid second in career debut against maiden claimers here and makes the jump to this level for trainer Phil Capuano. #6 Colonel Cappy (9-5) makes local and seasonal debut following a pair of starts at Gulfstream Park and looms the likely favorite here for trainer Anthony Farrior. #4 Bodysiam (6-1) makes fifth seasonal and seventh career start seeking diploma for owner-trainer Crystal Pickett.
RACE 8
5-10-3-9
In this competitive, two-turn allowance for state-bred fillies and mares, #5 Keep On Spurrin (7-2) gets the nod for mild upset off a pair of good third-place efforts for trainer Kristy Petty. #10 Nearest N Dearest (5-2) was solid second in local debut after graduating against maiden claimers at Santa Anita and looms the tepid choice despite outside draw here for trainer Stephen Lyster. #3 Lucky Blonde (6-1) makes fourth attempt for first seasonal score and merits respect here for trainer Tim Grams. #9 Frenchies Gold (4-1) was solid third last out after graduating two back for trainer Jeff Runco and could forge mild upset here.
RACE 9
4-9-5-10
LATEST NEWS
1st.I’m not”Looking For a Flare”but will dare to
look a”Everydayisagift”horse in the mouth but am
wary of Farri-or.
2nd.”Coastal Mission”should”Steal The Cash”
but”Late In The Game”just might tame him.
3rd.I salute the”Big Redwhiteandblue”but do
not bet on him,I think”Chrome Heir”will get there.
4th.”Kobe’s Girl”might be worth a whirl
but”Mizzen”looks like a”Captivating Gal”.
5th.”Reverend Jack”looks ready to come back
if:Ziggy Stardust”does go bust.
6th.”Raise a Speights”has the rights tonight
but I see Magee willing”Welling”felling him but
“Jayjaydee”may be am-Busheying them.
7th.I’m told”Runaway Road”can carry the load
and”Take Aim”on “Bodyslam”to down”The Clown”.
8th.The”Nearest N Dearest”may be the farthest out
but can clout the”Lucky Blonde”and rout”Frenchie’s Gold”.
9th.West has come East so let’s”Turn To Me Sucree”to succeed,
add “China Cat”to get that last exacta.
1st.POW!Ted and Calixto strike for $34!
2nd,That was hard to”Coastal Miss-ion”
3rd.Better than a loser,
4th.”Mizzen did ‘comes izin.
5th.Ted did”…Calltooearly”for $30.80
6th.Another for us both.
looks like my last 3 didn’t make the cut.