Charles Town picks and analysis: August 23, 2024 * The Racing Biz

Charles Town picks and analysis: August 23, 2024

Picks and analysis for this evening’s card from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races:

RACE 1

NOTES	Interesting one-turn maiden special weight to kick off the card
3. Just a Rainbow	makes career debut for trainer Jeff Runco following a series of solid gate worrks
7. Thundar Cloud	unlucky in debut when promoted from third to second and could surprise
8. Gran Patrona	showed ample speed going two turns last out before fading to fifth and should make presence known early

RACE 2

NOTES	wide open one-turn event for $5,000 claimers
8. Areyougonnakissme	gets favorable outside draw and could forge genuine upset for trainer Cynthia McKee
6. Pink Dinghy	was solid favorite at this level last out for trainer Javier Contreras and should get solid backing here
5. Dicey Grey	graduated against maiden claimers last out for trainer Lela Hanagan and could repear while facing winners

RACE 3

NOTES	Competitive two-turn allowance for state-bred distaffers
2. Lucky Blonde	has been facing similar since graduating and may have found ideal spot for trainer Tim Grams
4. Emberly	won her firsr start off the claim for trainer Anthony Farrior last out against starter company and merits respect here
6. Whatta Notion	has won her last two starts against $5,000 claimers in sharp fashion for trainer Jesse Cruz

RACE 4

NOTES	Interesting allowance event for older males
1. Debit Card	rebounded from a disaster at Penn National to capture a similar two-turn allowance here for Flint Stites
7. Al Loves Josie	makes first start off the claim for trainer Anthony Farriior after gritty second-place effort
2. Gun Collector	returns from Mountaineer Park following a modest try in a salty open allowance

RACE 5

NOTES	$40,000 Last Enchantment Overnight Stakes
5. Duncan Idaho	full-brother to Late Night Pow Wow, Muad’dib and Overnight Pow Wow seeks second straight stakes score
1. Pork Chop Pete	won allowance last out after running second to the top choice in prior stakes outing
2. Jefferson Native	arrives as the defending champion of this event for trainer Linda Dohlinger-Stehr

RACE 6

NOTES	$75,000 Frank Gall Memorial Stakes
1. No Change	arrives as the defending champion for trainer Cynthia McKee off solid allowance score
4. Muad’dib	showed good late energy last out for trainer Jeff Runco and approaching millionaire status
6. Social Chic	ultra-consistent sort was gritty allowance winner last out for Runco

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RACE 7

NOTES	$75,000 Sadie Hawkins Stakes
1. Hessica	ended a brief skid last out for trainer Kristy Petty and prepping for possible Cavada three-peat
9. Great Spirit	has won her last two for trainer Crystal Pickett and seeks second two-turn stakes tally
2. Barbers Point	had won three straight until finding a disdain for the off-going last out

RACE 8

NOTES	$500,000 Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon Stakes
4. Clearly Unhinged	was good third in Grade II stakes at Saratoga last out and could make amends here
1. Spirit Wind	captured Grade II Honorable Miss last out for trainer Saffie Joseph, jr and retains Mike Smith
3. Apple Picker	has enjoyed ample success for trainer Brittany Russell in minor open stakes in Maryland

RACE 9

NOTES	$500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes
5. Tapalo	was stellar two starts back in Laz Barrerra romp out west for trainer John Sadler; liked this one regardless but with Book’em Danno expected to scratch for G1 Jerkens at the Spa, like him even more
9. Jubawithatwist	has won four straight for trainer Kristy Petty including 13-length romp in Robert Leavitt Memorial
4. Bentornato	Won four straight to kick off career; no shame in third-place finish in Saudi Derby behind Book’em Danno and Forever Young

RACE 10

NOTES	Grade 2, $750,000 Charles Town Oaks
4. Haulin Ice	arrives off sharp score in minor stakes at Gulfstream Park for trainer Saffie Joseph, jr
10. My Mane Squeeze	was solid third in Grade I Test Stakes at Saratoga last out and certainly merits respect here
3. Overnight Pow Wow	has won three straight for trainer Cynthia McKee and full-sister to Late Night Pow Wow looking to follow closely in her footsteps

RACE 11

NOTES	Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic
7. Skippylongstocking	arrives as defending champion of this event for trainer Saffie Joseph, jr. and good efforts in two Grade I events following Grade II Oaklawn score
6. Coastal Mission	has been second in two straight graded stakes for trainer Jeff Runco, boasts 10 wins in 11 local tries and romped in only previous three-turn outing
5. Bendoog	was solid second as the odds-on choice in Grade II Suburban last out for trainer Bill Mott who saddled two-time hero Art Collector

RACE 12

NOTES	$40,000 Autumn Overnight Stakes
10. Maggie’s Girl	gets favorable outside draw for trainer Tim Grams while seeking to end stakes bridesmaid status
9. Snowy Juba Cat	has won three straight against lesser and has the speed to be a factor early
3. Dreamy Sonde	conistestant sort for Runco makes stakes debut in winnable spot

RACE 13

NOTES	Interesting maiden special weight dash
6. Subtle Storm	makes career debut for trainer Jeff Runco following good gate works
2. Candy Tricks	has been second four times in eight starts and was beaten fave twice in last three
5. Aim’s Redirect	has been third six times in eight career outings and looks to improve on that trend here

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