Charles Town picks and analysis: October 10

Photo by Coady Photography.

It’s West Virginia Breeders Classics night! Charles Town has an nine-race Saturday card. Post time is the normal 7:00 p.m. Good luck!

RACE 1 – Dash for Cash

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In the first of nine stakes for West Virginia-breds on the 34th annual West Virginia Breeders Classics card, #5 Dr. Feelgood (1-5 morning line) puts his perfect season on the line when seeks to defend his title in the $70,000 Dash For Cash for trainer Crystal Pickett. #3 Rescue Five (4-1) has run well against the top one and looms the main threat. #2 Sagebrush (10-1) has ample speed and could make the choice run early. #4 Grumpelstiltskin (6-1) gives Pickett a chance to run one-two in this event.

RACE 2 – WV Tourism Office

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#7 Star Of Night (3-5) seeks her second stakes for Runco in the WV Department of Tourism for three-year-old fillies and leads quartet for the trainer. #4 Coach Rube (6-1) has shown plenty of promise in spots for trainer John A. Casey and could threaten the choice here. #2 Boundtobebad (4-1) looks to regain her freshman form for trainer James W. Casey. #6 Campania (20-1) looms a live longshot in this group for trainer Ollie Figgins III and could find a spot in the trifecta.

RACE 3 – Roger Ramey Distaff

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In the first three-turn race on the card, #7 B’s Wild Cork (5-2) looks to defend her title in this event for trainer James W. Casey while also seeking her first win of the season. #1 She Figures (8-1) drew the coveted rail and could be primed for an upset for trainer Ronney Brown. #2 Dubai Was Lit (8-5) is the likely favorite in this spot for trainer Javier Contreras. #3 Amelia Bedelia (7-2) will seek to regain freshman and sophomore form in this outing for Runco.

RACE 4 – Vincent Moscarelli Memorial

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In the first of two stakes for two-year-olds on the card, #3 Hopping Henry (6-5) seeks his second straight stakes tally while attempting two turns for the first time for owner-breeder-trainer Michael Sterling in the Vincent Moscarelli Memorial for boys. #6 Pilot In Command (4-1) looks to atone for being the beaten choice in the Henry Mercer last out and merits respect here for Runco. #1 Uncle Funky (10-1) should thrive at the distance as did his dam, Julie B. #2 Youthinkthatsfunny (5-1) has ample speed and will have to avoid dueling with the top choice.

How’d we do last week? Check out our picks and analysis here!

RACE 5 – Triple Crown Nutrition

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In the second two-turn stake for freshmen, #5 Shutupn’kissme (6-1) will look for a much better trip in the Triple Crown Nutrition after encountering trouble in the Rachel’s Turn for trainer John McKee. #7 That Kenney Kid (3-1) will seek to rebound from modest effort as the choice in the Rachel’s Turn for Runco. #2 Theladyistrue (9-2) forged a mild upset in the prep for McKee and looms a danger to repeat. #1 Juba Train (8-1) graduated smartly last out for trainer John A. Casey and should be a factor off that score.

RACE 6 – Onion Juice

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#1 Penguin Power (3-5) seeks to defend his title in the Onion Juice for Runco and will be among the handful of odds-on favorites on the card. #2 K Town Brass (8-1) gives Runco a chance to run one-two in this event while drawing alongside his stablemate. #7 Ellie’s Lil Man (6-1) has been consistent throughout his career and gives Brown a live chance for an upset here. #8 Rush to the Castle (5-1) was good fourth in the Frank Gall last out and gets another shot at the choice here.

Check out our other WVBC coverage here!

RACE 7 – Cavada

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In the co-featured, $100,000 Cavada for fillies and mares, Bridging the Gap (3-5) looms another short-priced winner for McKee having won three straight, including the Sadie Hawkins last out in a genuine gritty effort. #5 Grace Elizabeth (12-1) pressed the choice last out and figures to try a different tactic here. #6 Lady Storm (5-1) has tactical speed and should be prominent throughout. #4 See Ya Manana (4-1) had the ideal setup in the Sadie Hawkins but could not overhaul the favorite in the lane.

RACE 8 – WV Breeders Classic

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In the co-featured, nine-furlong, $150,000 Classic for three-year-olds and up, #6 Runnin’toluvya (3-5) seeks his second win in last three tries in this event for trainer Tim Grams and arrives off a win in the Gall that was preceded by third-place finish in the Grade 2, $600,000 Charles Town Classic as the state-bred millionaire seeks to erase memories of ’19 debacle in this event. #9 Opera Nite (10-1) was second in this event last year and runner-up in subsequent A Huevo for Runco but has not regained that form yet. #4 North Atlantic (9-2) makes his fourth attempt in the Classic – he was second twice and third once – and arrives off good second-place finish behind the choice in the Gall for Runco. Boasts solid 17-16-9 slate and $600,000 bankroll from 47 career tries. #1 Castle Bound (20-1) forged a 68-1 shocker in this event last year and could be an equally high price in his repeat bid for trainer James W. Casey.

RACE 9 – WV Lottery

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In the finale on the WVBC card, a two-turn race for three-year-olds, #8 Stowe Angel (9-5) will seek her second straight stakes tally against the boys as the lone filly in this event for Runco. #3 Fancy Concho (4-1) will look to give Grams the lucrative late daily double in his stakes debut here. #9 Chief Randel (3-1) will look to overcome outside slot and is the only runner here not on Lasix. #4 Hypothesis (8-1) is cross-entered for the opener but will likely opt for this spot for Pickett.

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