Charles Town picks and analysis: December 12

Charles Town has a 10-race Saturday card. Post time is the normal 7:00 p.m. Good luck!

RACE 1

4-1-3-5

In this two-turn starter allowance to open the card, #4 So Red the Rose (2-1 morning line) notched her first win of the year last out for trainer Anthony Farrior and looks poised to repeat here. #1 Sherwood Lady (7-5) won two starts back and could atone for fifth-place effort last out for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. as the tepid favorite. #3 Country Magic (10-1) was third eight nights ago here and looms an upset chance here for trainer Analia Larrosa. #5 Scottish Denis (15-1) won two straight in July and is seeking to regain that form in this spot.

RACE 2

7-6-3-4

In this one-turn maiden $12,500 claiming event for two-year-old fillies, #7 Stop Talking (4-1) was second last out in first local outing after four tries elsewhere and looms the one to beat with favorable outside draw. #6 Great Cause (5-1) arrives off four subpar efforts at Laurel but gets first Lasix and good draw here for trainer John Salzman, Jr. #3 Single Mom (8-5) makes local debut for trainer Tim Grams following three decent outings at Delaware Park and likely plays favorite’s role. #4 Princess Kokachin (3-1) makes career debut here for Farrior and merits respect.

RACE 3 

8-5-6-4

In this wide open one-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #8 Island Cadger (8-1) gets favorable outside draw and seeks first win in 11 seasonal outings for trainer Lyn Dee Venham and rates serious upset chance here. #5 BJ’s Big Boy (5-2) has been second in each of last two starts for Grams and certainly merits respect in this spot. #6 Grecian Admiral (12-1) graduated three starts back and sophomore is heading back in right direction for trainer Vernon Greaves. #4 Be Be Bop (8-5) won at first asking three months again and is seeking to regain that form here for Farrior.

RACE 4

7-2-1-5

In this two-turn event for $8,000 claimers, #7 Meldon (5-1) looks to notch first win in eight starts this year for trainer Kristy Gazzier. #2 Pagan Smart (5-1) also seeks first win in eight starts this year for trainer Anthony Rideout III. #1 Righteous Man (5-2) has been consistent throughout the year for trainer David Walters and looms the tepid favorite here. #5 Wish in the Castle (3-1) owns two wins from eight seasonal tries for owner-trainer John A. Casey and could emerge with another here.

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

RACE 5 

6-3-4-9

In this interesting one-turn maiden special weight event for state-bred two-year-old boys, #6 Juba’s Fancy (3-1) has been second in each of last two at the level for owner-breeder-trainer John A. Casey and looks poised to finally graduate in this spot. #3 No Change (7-2) was good third in debut effort for owner-breeder-trainer John McKee and looms a threat here. #4 Spinish (5-2) makes career debut off three good recent works for trainer Javier Contreras, including ‘bullet’ three-furlong drill. #9 Vidmer’s Courage (12-1) rates an upset chance for trainer Anthony Lucas courtesy of good outside draw in this spot.

RACE 6

2-8-5-1

In this two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #2 Intoxicologist (7-2) has won two of last three at Penn National and makes local debut here for trainer J. Michael Rogers. #8 Mackenzie’s Star (4-1) won two starts back for trainer Jeff Runco and looks to atone for latest outing. #5 Mandy (5-1) was good second last out for trainer Joan Reynolds and merits respect in this spot. #1 Singindownthelane (3-1) exits allowance company and already owns three wins this season for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. and looms the tepid choice from the rail,

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 7 

2-3-7-1

In this three-turn allowance, #2 Final Say (7-5) has won his last two and three of four over the strip for Farrior and could be the shortest priced winner on the card. #3 Bacoli (9-2) defeated claimers last out for trainer Ronney Brown and deserves a look in here to upset. #7 Brother Corbin (7-2) sports two wins and two second-place efforts in last four starts and could score despite outside draw. #1 Southern Saviour (12-1) was good third last out and could be in contention throughout with rail draw.

RACE 8 

5-8-4-6

In this wide open two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #5 I Am I Will (5-2) returns off brief freshening and should be ready for minor upset here. #8 Put Position (8-5) seeks first win in 12 starts this year but was good fourth last out. #4 Sweet Lady Sue (5-1) seeks first win in six seasonal outings. #6 Earned the Shot (12-1) has been fourth in each of her last two tries and deserves a look at a big price in this group.

RACE 9 — MY SISTER PEARL STAKES 

6-9-4-1

In this very contentious renewal of the $50,000 My Sister Pearl Stakes for West Virginia-bred fillies and mares, #6 Star of Night (2-1) has won three straight and five of six this year for Runco and talented sophomore gets the nod while trying older and attempting route of ground for the first time. #9 Bridging the Gap (9-5) saw her four-race win streak snapped last out but McKee trainee has been the dominant force in state-bred action and merits respect going nine furlongs. #4 She Figures (6-1) won WVBC Distaff last out first off the claim for Brown and seeks second straight stakes score. #1 B’s Wild Cork (10-1) arrives as defending champion of this event and was solid second to She Figures in Distaff last out for trainer James W. Casey.

RACE 10 

12-11-9-8

In the Saturday finale, a one-turn dash for state-bred $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #12 Spunky Ali Cat (4-1) gets the nod in this wide-open affair if she draws in off the also eligible list. #11 Mojo Matters (7-2) also merits respect here if she can draw in off the AE list. #9 Castle of Caylee (3-1) looms the one to beat among those that drew into the body of the race. #8 Sharp’s Mission (15-1) gets favorable draw just inside the likely favorite and could be a threat late at a big price. 

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