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

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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.

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.

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

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