Charles Town picks and analysis: October 7, 2023

RACE 1

1-7-5-6

In the Saturday night opener, a competitive, two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #1 Flat Discount (5-2) gets favorable inside draw for trainer Ray Ginter, Jr. and gets the nod to prevail as tepid choice here. #7 Stylish Paint (7-2) won last out for trainer Ronney Brown and gets added marks for consistency throughout her career. #5 Urkillingmebeth (3-1) won her belated seasonal debut off a 15-month layoff and seeks third straight tally for trainer David Walters. #6 Marketability (4-1) has been second in each of her last two outings and merits respect for mild upset chance here.

RACE 2

7-6-2-1

In this one-turn dash for $5,000 claimers to cap the early daily double, #7 So Courageous (7-5) gets favorable outside draw and exits much tougher for trainer Kevin Patterson. #6 Trappe the Gold (6-1) won last out for trainer Linda Dohlinger-Stehr and seeks repeat with mild upset chance here. #2 Speights Your Mind (5-2) makes local debut after facing tougher at Laurel Park and Pimlico and looks to benefit from five-month respite for trainer Crystal Pickett. #1 Primetime Jet (4-1) gives Patterson solid chance to run one-two here despite often tricky rail draw.

RACE 3

3-6-7-1

In this two-turn event for state-bred $5,000 claimers, #3 Modern Day Romance (4-1) seeks to regain winning ways for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. while making third start back since Mountaineer Park outing. #6 Felicias Castle (5-2) seeks second straight for trainer Anthony Farrior and looms the tepid choice in this spot. #7 Get Off My Cloud (3-1) has faced tougher of late and looks for first victory since late January here. #1 Air Medal (9-2) gets favorable inside draw for trainer Ronney Brown and could complete several gimmicks.

RACE 4

8-5-3-7

In this one-turn dash for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #8 Golden Sweets (9-2) gets favorable outside draw for trainer Curtis Bass and also gets the nod for mild upset here. #5 Willow Moon (2-1) is accustomed to facing tougher and merits respect in this spot off the six-month layoff for trainer Joan Reynolds. #3 Ding Ding (9-5) looms the tepid choice here while exiting much tougher company last three outings for trainer Javier Contreras. #7 Miss Wild (15-1) gets favorable outside draw for trainer and former rider Keturah Obed-Letts and could complete several gimmicks at a very generous price here.

RACE 5

6-8-9-1

in this competitive, two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #6 Riverview Stevie (5-2) seeks third straight win for trainer Anthony Farrior and gets the nod to prevail as mild upsetter. #8 Midnight Regret (9-5) has been solid second in each of last two tries for trainer Raimondo Schiano-DiCola and could end bridesmaid status here as the tepid choice. #9 Holding Court (9-2) returns after several good tries in Maryland for trainer Stacey Viands of Parisian Diva fame and merits respect here. #1 Dallas (10-1) returns from several tries at Penn National and gets favorable inside draw with chance to complete several gimmicks at a decent price.

RACE 6

5-6-7-3

In this interesting, two-turn allowance for older runners, #5 Tap Secret (4-1) has been second in each of last two outings against similar after graduating against maiden special weight company and merits respect in this spot. #6 Askin for a Baskin (3-1) won two back at Laurel Park and looms the tepid choice in local debut for trainer Anthony Farrior. #7 Zen Master (5-2) won last out at Timonium and seeks second straight while giving Farrior decent chance to run one-two here. #1 Silipo (6-1) won last out at Belmont Park and gets favorable inside draw with modest upset chance in this spot.

RACE 7

8-7-6-4

In this one-turn allowance dash for state-bred older runners, #8 Xcellent Start (7-5) returns following good effort at Mountaineer Park and gets favorable outside draw while seeing first victory since graduating on debut 14 months ago for trainer Jeff Runco. #7 George (4-1) has offered several decent outings since graduating against maiden special weight company for trainer David Walters and cannot be overlooked here. #6 Missionary (9-2) returns from six-month layoff for trainer Ronald Sigler and deserves a look off the break. #4 One Candy Castle (12-1) makes second attempt against winners after graduating against maiden claimers and could complete several gimmicks at a generous price for trainer Kristy Petty.

RACE 8

2-4-6-8

In the Saturday night finale, a wide open, two-turn event for state-bred $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #2 Pearly Ghost (8-1) gets favorable inside draw and chance to atone for dull outing last out for trainer Stacey Viands. #4 Makinlimmargaritas (9-5) was solid second last out and won three back and looms the solid choice here for trainer Anthony Farrior. #6 Micheaux (12-1) returns after three modest outings at Colonial Downs and cannot be completely dismissed. #8 How Is She (8-1) has been second in each of last two for trainer Jamey Johnson of Stryda fame and could forge mild surprise in the nightcap.

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