Charles Town picks and analysis: December 5

Photo by Coady Photography.

Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is the normal 7:00 p.m. Good luck!

RACE 1

1-6-5-4

In this three-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares to open the card, #1 Walkntheplank (8-1 morning line) already sports three wins this year for trainer Russell Davis and gets favorable inside draw here. Maryland shipper #6 Cold Hearted Cat (6-5) arrives off a pair of efforts in New York for trainer Kevin Boniface. #5 Wakes Up Happy (9-5) has been second three times in his last five outings and could emerge on top in this spot. #4 Personal Server (5-1) has run well in several previous local tries for trainer Paige Rodriguez.

RACE 2

2-4-6-3

In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #2 Katman Quick (3-1) seeks first win in 14 seasonal tries but was solid second last out for trainer Lind Dohlinger-Stehr. #4 The Seven Five (7-5) scored last out for trainer Elizabeth Meehan and looms the favorite in this spot. #6 Rocket Road (2-1) is typically among the contenders at this level for trainer Kristy Gazzier and could complete the triple. #3 Owl Run (8-1) was a good third here last week and could be a factor off the quick turnaround.

RACE 3 

7-6-4-1

In this one-turn dash for maiden $5,000 claimers, #7 Wild Cork (8-1) has been third each of last two outings, gets favorable outside draw and could finally garner her diploma in 26th lifetime try. #6 Spooky Moon (5-1) was also third last out but has been idle over two months heading into this outing. #4 Marleesbeebee (5-2) showed speed versus tougher last out and looms the favorite despite four-month break. #1 Shesauptowngirl (2-1) was solid second last out and could graduate here.

RACE 4

1-5-6-3

In this two-turn starter allowance for fillies and mares, #1 Charity Stripe (7-5) arrives off sharp second at Penn National last out for trainer Tim Kreiser and has been a model of consistency throughout her career. #5 Lovely Lady Lexi (3-1) has won her last two outings here, four straight overall and six of eight this year and looms a serious factor in this spot. #6 Take Me Home (5-2) gives Kreiser a chance to run one-two here. #3 Super Twenty Five (5-1) has been second in last two local outings and merits respect in this spot for owner-trainer Irving Velez.

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

RACE 5 

2-8-5-6

In this open, two-turn maiden special weight event for fillies and mares, #2 Pyrrhic Victory (6-5) was sharp second in local debut last out and looms the one to beat as the solid choice here for Runco. #8 Morality Clause (2-1) was good third behind the favorite in last outing and deserves a look in this spot for trainer Jack Hurley. #5 Callinghercollins (7-2) was second two starts back and gives Runco chance to run one-two in this spot. #6 Anshi (20-1) has been third recently in last two against maiden claimers and merits an outsider’s chance here.

RACE 6

8-7-4-5

In this two-turn event for $8,000 claimers, #8 Meldon (5-1) seeks first win in eight starts this year for trainer Kristy Gazzier. #7 Pagan Smart (5-1) exits allowance company and also seeks first win in eight seasonal tries for trainer Anthony Rideoutt II. #4 Righteous Man (5-2) seeks to regain winning ways for trainer David Walters after taking an allowance back in May. #5 Wish in the Castle (3-1) won last out for trainer John A. Casey and merits respect in this spot seeking repeat score.

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 7 — A HUEVO STAKES

8-9-7-2

In the $50,000 A Huevo Stakes for West Virginia-bred older runners, onlookers are simply going to ask, “Will the real #8 Runnin’toluvya (5-2) please stand up?” The one-time dominant force in the division arrives off a puzzling sixth-place effort in the West Virginia Breeders Classic. Granted, he had been last in the same event one year earlier following a genuine gate mishap, but he had prepped for the Classic by taking the Frank Gall Memorial and was third in the Grade II, $600,000 Charles Town Classic one month earlier. #9 North Atlantic (5-1) was solid third in WVBC Classic and is always a contender in these three-turn events for trainer Jeff Runco. #7 Buff’s Eye View (9-2) has been second four times in six winless outings this year for trainer David Walters, including solid runner-up effort in the Classic. #2 Awsome Faith (6-1) forged a 37-1 shocker in the Classic last out for trainer Scott Allen but looms a shorter price here.

RACE 8 

11-10-9-6

In the Saturday night finale, #11 Spunky Ali Cat (7-2) seeks second straight and looms a threat if she draws in off the also eligible list. #10 Meet Ms. Bobbi Rae (9-5) graduated two starts back and looms the favorite here for trainer Ollie Figgins III courtesy of favorable outside draw. #9 Quite Suggestive (9-2) was sharp second last out for owner-trainer Crystal Pickett and should be a factor here. #6 Natural Sonde (4-1) graduated last out and merits respect facing winners for the first time.

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