Charles Town picks and analysis: August 25, 2023

  • userTed Black
  • dateAugust 25, 2023

Charles Town has a 13-race Saturday card. Post time is 5:00 p.m. Good luck!

The card features the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks, and a bevy of other stakes for both open and state-bred company.

CARRYOVERS

  • Jackpot Pick 6, $54,491

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1

4-3-5-6

In the opening race on a stakes-filled card highlighted later by a pair of lucrative, graded events, #4 Just Have Faith (7-5) was second last out against similar foes at the distance and gets the nod in this two-turn maiden special weight event for state-bred fillies and mares for trainer Tim Collins. #3 Very Venus (6-5) was sharp second in one-turn maiden special weight dash for trainer Cynthia McKee and figures to be well backed here. #5 Taptap (10-1) was good fourth last out for trainer Joseph Pyke and merits respect in thus spot. #6 Luzia (6-1) has been fourth three times in six tries at the level for trainer Kristy Gazzier.

RACE 2

4-2-5-3

In this one-turn allowance dash for state-bred fillies and mares to cap the early daily double, #4 La Maddelena (7-5) has been close several times at this level for trainer Crystal Pickett and looms poised to finally prevail in this spot as a possible odds-on choice. #2 Phantom Queen (9-2) was sharp maiden special weight winner last out and flattered when runner-up came right back to score. #5 Scarlet Rebel (8-1) graduated last out against maiden special weight foes following runner-up effort behind Phantom Queen. #3 Silver Rules (7-2) has been close several times at a big price for trainer Sara Kopecki and merits respect here.

RACE 3

8-6-3-1

In this three-turn allowance for older males, #8 C.R’s Mandate (4-1) has stellar closing kick and last year’s Onion Juice Breeders Classic champ is looking for one last prep for the WVBC card. #6 Noballstwostrikes (7-2) owns one win and a pair of second-place efforts at the distance for trainer Jeff Runco and merits respect here. #3 Buddy Buddy (8-1) has been consistent sort all season for trainer Tim Collins and could complete several gimmicks at a big price. #1 Vail Of Honor (10-1) won last two against claiming foes and gets favorable rail draw for trainer Anthony Farrior.

RACE 4

5-9-3-8

In this interesting, two-turn allowance for state-breds, #5 Paymengold (3-1) has shown plenty of ability throughout his brief career for trainer Dewayne Johnson and sophomore tackles older foes in this spot. #9 Foxy Sista (7-5) has trounced her foes twice in four outings and now tackles males rivals for the first time for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. and merits respect here. #3 Grumpy’s Buddy ((5-1) has been consistent sort for trainer Jeff Runco and cannot be dismissed. #8 I’lltakecareofit (6-1) could complete several gimmicks while tackling older foes for trainer Kristy Petty.

RACE 5 – The $75,000 Last Enchantment Stakes

In the first nine consecutive stakes on the card, #2 Penguin Power (7-2) notched first seasonal score last out and durable sort looks to tune up for WV Dash For Cash title defense here for trainer Jeff Runco. #4 Little Roo Roo (6-5) arrives having won three straight stakes for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. and talented sophomore will have older foes chasing him through the far turn. #3 Golden Key (6-1) has never ducked serious one-turn sprint specialists and certainly cannot be overlooked here for trainer Ronney Brown. #5 Youthinkthatsfunny (6-1) has also faced stakes foes repeatedly and merits respect here for trainer Cynthia McKee.

RACE 6 – The $75,000 Autumn Stakes

6-8-2-3

In this one-turn dash for state-bred fillies and mares, #6 Great Spirit (9-5) has displayed her ability in one-turn and two-turn events for trainer Crystal Pickett and half-sister to Dr. Feelgood looms the one to beat here. #8 Maggie’s Girl (5-2) has won all three of her starts in style for trainer Tim Grams and gets favorable outside draw in stakes debut here. #2 Silky Serena (5-1) has enjoyed past success in one-turn stakes for state-bred fillies and merits respect here for trainer Cynthia McKee. #3 Stryda (12-1) has ample early speed and could complete several gimmicks at a generous price.

RACE 7 – The $250,000 Russell Road Stakes

1-8-10-2

In this contentious edition of the Russell Road, named for one of the most durable, talented and richest West Virginia-bred runners of all-time and an inaugural member of the West Virginia-bred Hall of Fame, #1 Coastal Mission (6-1) looks to pit state-bred runners in the spotlight for trainer Jeff Runco having won all five of his starts over the strip at this distance and eight of nine overall. #8 Benevengo (9-5) arrives off sharp allowance score at Monmouth Park last out and looms the favorite here for trainer Jorge Cruz. #10 Baby Yoda (6-1) was beaten favorite in tough allowance at Saratoga last out for trainer Bill Mott and could atone in lucative spot. #2 Pro Oxidant (5-1) boasts three allowance victories in last four starts for trainer Eddie Kenneally and certainly merits respect here.

RACE 8 – The $250,000 Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon Stakes

4-7-8-6

In this very interesting and intriguing edition of the Pink Ribbon Stakes for fillies and mares, #4 Frank’s Rockette (7-2) seeks repeat in this event for trainer Bill Mott after seeing three-race stakes streak end when third behind odds-on Echo Zulu last out. #7 Society (6-5) returns to site of sharp score in last year’s Charles Town Oaks for trainer Steven Asmussen and arrives off very sharp stakes score at Ellis Park last out. #8 Bluefield (8-1) was solid second in stakes at Prairie Meadows last out and appears logical trifecta candidate. #6 Early Edition (20-1) sports three allowance wins this year and could complete several gimmicks at very generous price.

RACE 9 – The $350,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes

4-10-1-7

In this wide open event for three-year-old boys, #4 Super Accelerate (8-1) has won three straight including Maryland-bred stakes last out at Laurel Park for trainer Robin Graham and should be able to work out ideal trip at this distance. #10 Ryvit (9-5) saw five-race win streak snapped when fifth in the Grade II Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga last out for trainer Steven Asmussen and looms the logical choice despite outside draw. #1 Swirvin (9-2) won Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth last out and certainly merits respect here in local debut. #7 Prince of Jericho (6-1) won minor stakes at Laurel last out for trainer Brittany Russell and cannot be immediately dismissed in contentious affair.

RACE 10 – The Grade 3, $750,000 Charles Town Oaks

6-10-1-2

In this competitive edition of the Grade III Charles Town Oaks, now the richest sprint race in the country for either gender outside of the Breeders Cup, #6 Hoosier Philly (3-1) sports ample back class and looms the one to beat here for trainer Tom Amoss. #10 Undervalued Asset (4-1) was solid allowance winner at Saratoga last out for trainer Chad Brown and looms serious contender despite outside draw. #1 Vahva (7-2) gets favorable inside draw for local debut and could forge mild upset here for trainer Cherie DeVaux. #2 Late Frost (30-1) gets acid test while facing open stakes foes but arrives in sharp for for trainer Michael Matz.

RACE 11 – The Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic

5-2-4-9

In this competitive edition of the Grade II Charles Town Classic for older males at one-mile and one-eighth, #5 Skippylongstocking (3-1) has grown accustomed to facing grade I and II foes and figures to get an ideal trip in the nine-furlong affair for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. #2 Giant Game (5-2) faded to fifth after setting the early fractions in the Grade I Whitney Stakes at Saratoga last out and will be the one to run down in the final furlong. #4 Doppelganger (6-1) already sports a Grade I victory this year for trainer Brittany Russell and should handle the distance. #9 Muad’dib (15-1) was the runner-up in last year’s edition of this event won by the late Art Collector and two-time defending West Virginia-bred horse of the year could complete several gimmicks as an overlooked outsider despite two recent scores for trainer Jeff Runco.

RACE 12 – The $75,000 Sadie Hawkins Stakes

8-10-6-4

In the final local prep for the Cavada Breeders Classic for this division, #8 Lucylou Who (4-1) was beaten favorite against allowance foes last out and gets chance to atone for trainer Emanuel “Mike” Geralis. #10 The Sky Is Falling (3-1) prevailed smartly in local allowance for trainer Jeff Runco and appears to be peaking again at the right time. #6 Change the World (7-2) was solid second behind stablemate late out and gives Runco chance to run one-two here. #4 Hessica (8-1) won two back and was last year’s Cavada heroine for trainer Kristy Petty and gets one last chance to tune up for potential lucrative title defense.

RACE 13 – The $75,000 Frank Gall Memorial Stakes

7-5-3-10

In the Friday night finale and final prep for several WVBC events for state-bred older males, #7 Jungle Beast (8-1) closed well in allowance won by Muad’dib last out and gets the nod for mild upset in the nightcap. #5 Social Chic (8-5) crossed the wire first in last year’s edition of this event but was disqualfied for an infraction and seeks to atone for trainer Jeff Runco. #3 Fancy Concho (6-1) overcame slow start to finish third behind Muad’dib and Jungle Beast last out and arrives as defending champion of this event after being promoted from runner-up spot for trainer Tim Grams upon demotion of Social Chic. #10 No Change ( 7-2) has ample stakes experience and looks to cap the card in style for trainer Cynthia McKee.

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