Charles Town picks and analysis: May 13, 2023
Charles Town has a nine-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
CARRYOVERS
- Jackpot Pick 6, $5,597
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
4-2-7-6
In the Saturday night opener, a two-turn $5,000 claiming event for older horses, #4 Nomo Ron (8-1) gets the nod for mild upset here for trainer Kristy Gazzier off a decent fifth-place effort in his local debut here last month. #2 Royal Thunder (5-2) exits a quartet of allowance events for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. and figures to get solid support from favorable inside slot. #5 Tringale (3-1) exits allowance and starter allowance events for owner-trainer Kevin Joy and merits respect here. #7 Happy Champ (9-2) has been second in each of his last two tries for trainer Ronney Brown and deserves a look in this spot.
RACE 2
6-2-5-4
In this interesting and competitive, one-turn allowance for state-breds, #6 Juba’s Hat Trick (9-5) won at first asking and seeks second straight for trainer Ronald Sigler and owner-breeder Taylor Mountain Farm. #2 Teachintherelease (5-2) makes seasonal debut for trainer and former rider Kristy Petty and appears a major player here if fresh and fit. #4 I’lltakecareofit (5-1) graduated at first asking but will need to atone for ninth-place outing in first try against winners last out for Petty. #3 Talking Teddy (20-1) could complete several gimmicks at a very big price here for owner-trainer-breeder and former local rider Keturah Obed-Letts.
- Sea Dancer gets valuable stakes win in CarouselSea Dancer, a younger half-sis to one of the top turf horses in the country, earned her first stakes win in Saturday’s Carousel at Laurel Park.
RACE 3
2-4-7-8
In this contentious two-turn allowance for older, #2 Never Compromise (7-2) won last out and already sports three wins in five tries this year for trainer Ollie Figgins III of Dance to Bristol fame. #4 Out of Cents (5-2) was second two back for trainer Jeff Runco and seeks first score in four seasonal tries as the likely post time choice. #7 Buff’s Eye View (9-2) has run well in spots in the past including a runner-up effort in the West Virginia Breeders Classic several years ago for trainer David Walters. #8 Aaron’s Tap (4-1) also has ample back class for trainer Wade Sanderson and has been second twice in four winless outings this year.
RACE 4
1-8-3-5
In this interesting one-turn allowance dash for state-bred fillies and mares, #1 Full Moon Lover (9-5) makes seasonal debut for trainer Ronney Brown and will look to overcome layoff and tricky rail draw for eighth victory in 13th career outing. #8 Manarola (8-1) gets favorable outside draw for trainer David Walters while seeking to regain winning ways. #3 Moonlit Shadow (2-1) has typically been better in two-turn events but cuts back in distance here for trainer Tim Grams. #5 Mackenzie’s Music (9-2) also makes seasonal debut for trainer Jeff Runco and seeks fourth win in ninth lifetime try.
RACE 5
10-4-2-1
In this competitive one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-bred three-year-olds, #10 George (6-1) gets favorable outside draw for trainer David Walters and looks poised to graduate here. #4 jazz With Denis (5-2) was good third in career debut last out and should improve off that effort here for trainer Ronald Sigler and owner-breeder Taylor Mountain Farm. #2 Pink Dinghy (2-1) has been second in each of his first two outings for trainer Javier Contreras and owner-breeder O’Sullivan Farms and will get ample support here seeking diploma. #1 Big Bad Brass (9-2) makes career debut for trainer Jeff Runco and owner-breeder James Boyer and fired ‘bullet’ work from the gate last month.
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RACE 6
2-7-6-9
In this interesting two-turn allowance for older runners, #2 Icing (5-2) sports three wins in five tries this year for trainer Norm “Lynn” Cash and gets favorable inside draw in this event. #7 One Night Mike (3-1) has one win and finished second twice in four good outings this year for trainer Javier Contreras and owner-breeder O’Sullivan Farms and merits respect in this spot. #6 Mr. Pete (4-1) makes long awaited local debut or trainer Tim Kreiser and owns a pair of wins in five tries this year and 14 tallies in 61 previous career outings. #9 Auburn Mill (6-1) has been second twice in five winless tries this year but boasts 13 wins in 36 career outings.
- “Miracle” horse All Caps wins first in two yearsAll Caps nearly died from an infection two years ago. So how did she get to the winner’s circle at Charles Town Saturday? “A miracle,” says her owner.
RACE 7 – The $75,000 Coin Collector Stakes
6-2-8-5
in this very competitive and interesting edition of the $75,000 Coin Collector Stakes for West Virginia-bred three-year-olds, #6 Great Spirit (7-2) suffered a narrow setback as the odds-on choice in the It’s Binn Too Long Stakes here late last month but gets the bod to upset the boys for trainer Crystal Pickett. #2 Honeyquist (8-5) was last season’s champion West Virginia-bred two-year-old male and looks to kick off sophomore campaign with stakes score for trainer Anthony Farrior. #8 Juba’s Notion (4-1) gets favorable outside draw for trainer Kristy Petty and late owner-breeder John A. Casey of Down Town Allen fame. #5 Little Roo Roo (6-1) has displayed plenty of ability against state-breds for owner-trainer Mike Jones, Jr. and certainly deserves a look at a generous price.
RACE 8
9-6-5-4
In the Saturday night finale, a competitive one-turn dash for $5,000 claimers, #9 Stevethevandriver (6-1) gets favorable outside draw and also gets the nod for mild upset to end the card for trainer Ronney Brown. #6 Big Hambone (5-1) has shown glimpses of promise in recent outings and could forge mild surprise here. #5 Kukulkan (3-1) won three back and has been second and third in two subsequent outings and merits respect in this spot. #4 Ruling (5-2) won two back and gets chance to atone for latest outing as the likely post time choice here in the nightcap.
LATEST NEWS
1st.If “Royal Thunder”makes a blunder
“Tringale”may prevail.
2nd.”Juba’s Hat Trick”looks very slick
but”Bertram’s Flight just might get in”High Gear”here.
3rd.”Buff’s Eye View”can do it for you
if Bass does not get the cash.
4th.This race was writ for”Manarola”
but”MacKenzie’s Music”comes ready to play.
5th.The outside post will cost”George”the place
and the inside will sink the”Pink Dinghy”which leaves
“Jazz With Denis”in the driver’s seat.
6th.”Icing”is Built Wright” but might succumb
to “Mr Pete”who can run him off his feet.
7th.I can’t Pickett”Great Spirit”
because”Honeyquist”looks ready for this.
\
8th.I’m a fan of”Kukulkan”but won’t
toss “Moss Boss”.
The first and last exactas
and a few winners in between
made this a winning night for me.