CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND ANALYSIS: JANUARY 30
Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is the normal 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6: $63,898
RACE 1
5-2-6-3
In the opener on the last Saturday night card of the month at Charles Town, #5 Juba Early (3-1) makes second start of the year and exits maiden special weight company for the first time for owner-breeder-trainer James W. Casey and looks capable of scoring in two-turn maiden $12,500 claimer. #2 In the Gospel (8-5) was second in lone try against maiden claimers and seeks first triumph in 11 tries here for owner-breeder-trainer John McKee. #6 Stringfella (9-2) also exits maiden special weight company for first time in seasonal debut for trainer Ollie Figgins III. #3 Emperor Penguin (4-1) also exits maiden special weight in his seasonal debut for trainer Jeff Runco.
RACE 2
1-2-3-4
In the lone, three-turn event on the card, #1 Imagoodchatterbug (8-5) makes drop from $10,000 claiming company to this $5,000 claiming event for fillies and mares and looks to regain winning ways from the rail for trainer Ronney Brown. #2 Upsy Daisy Do (4-1) won seasonal debut versus similar going lone here for trainer Michael Sterling and eyes repeat score. #3 Blazing Bourbon (3-1) won two-turn event for claimers here two weeks ago for trainer John Carlisle and looks to stretch out in repeat bid. #4 Pimm And Proper (7-2) was easily second best in three-turn try last out for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. and could forge mild upset here.
- Maryland Juvenile: A mystery solved, decades laterSaturday’s Maryland Juvenile Stakes should be a fun race, but it’s unlikely to launch the careers of two Classic winners, like the 1982 edition did.
RACE 3
8-7-5-2
In this one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-bred older males, #8 Showtime Cat (1-1) has been second in each of his last three tries and looks to finally shed bridesmaid role in 11th career outing for trainer Tim Grams. #7 Bigairtothethrown (10-1) was solid third in his debut last month for trainer Anthony Lucas and looms a threat here at a generous price. #5 Banner Man (5-1) has been second and third in two tries against maiden claimers and makes the jump into maiden special weight company for Brown. #2 Becoming Smitty (8-1) has been second twice and third twice and seeks diploma in 12th try for trainer Doug Adams.
RACE 4
3-2-1-4
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #3 Rocket Road (2-1) returns from Laurel Park and could be in ideal spot to earn first win since last January for trainer Kristy Gazzier. #2 Righteous Man (7-2) ended the previous campaign with a win for trainer David Walters and seeks repeat score here. #1 Set’em Up Joe (5-2) was fourth in seasonal debut and should benefit from that effort for trainer Tim Grams. #4 The Seven Five (3-1) was fifth in seasonal debut and won two starts back in October for trainer Elizabeth Meehan.
RACE 5
6-2-3-4
In this intriguing, one-turn, open maiden special weight event for three-year-olds, #6 Reds Image (7-2) makes career debut for trainer James Chapman off a series of sharp workouts and looks ready to graduate at first asking. #2 Moss Boss (5-2) was second last out and has been runner-up three times in five tries and looms a major player here for trainer Ernesto Perez. #3 Swing Your Sword (3-1) returns from Laurel and was third in lone previous local attempt at this level for trainer Anthony Farrior. #4 Golden Answer (4-1) makes career debut for trainer Ronney Brown and could garner his diploma at first asking.
RACE 6
6-4-2-7
In this one-turn dash for $4,000 claimers, #6 Equus Novus (3-1) makes slight drop in price and gets favorable outside post for trainer Kevin Joy and gets the nod in wide open affair. #4 The Forty Factor (4-5) makes local debut for trainer Stephen Murdock and well-traveled sort is likely odds-on choice here. #2 Delayed Engagement (6-1) is one of two runners entered here for trainer Sherry Kirk. #7 Gattosing (15-1) merits upset chance courtesy of good draw for trainer William Aylor, Jr.
- Maryland Juvenile: A mystery solved, decades laterSaturday’s Maryland Juvenile Stakes should be a fun race, but it’s unlikely to launch the careers of two Classic winners, like the 1982 edition did.
RACE 7
4-2-5-1
In this two-turn event for $15,000 claiming fillies and mares, #4 Azzurra (5-2) exits allowance and stakes company in recent starts and looks poised to score in this spot for trainer Raimondo Schiano-Dicola. #2 Secret Castle (2-1) also exits allowance company including two wins at the level for trainer Ronney Brown. #5 Eloquent Lady (3-1) makes local debut for trainer Sergio Pradenas following pair of runner-up efforts at Laurel Park. #1 Gandari (5-1) exits allowance company and seeks first tally since July for trainer Sara Kopecki.
RACE 8
3-4-7-9
In the Saturday finale, #3 Violane (5-1) exits allowance company for this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers for fillies and mares for trainer John McKee and gets the nod in this wide open group. #4 Afandi (3-1) has been second in each of her last four starts and could shed bridesmaid role here for trainer Steve Epley, Jr. #7 Midnight Banker (6-1) makes third local start off a pair of decent efforts for trainer Laura Carson. #9 Bustin Bunny (6-1) has been facing tougher and should benefit from latest outing for trainer Tonya O’Neill.
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2nd: I think “Upsa Daisy can Do it”,
in this small field,I’ll put her on top of my
Exacta wheel,the only way to get a little yield.
Upsa didn’t Do,but “Showtime Cat” should give Ted his first of the night.
The Cat did just that,
but “Rocket Road”looks like a toad and “The Seven Five”looks live.
“The Seven Five”took a dive
and “Rocket Road”carried the load,
Mr Black has 2 in a row.
5th: I can’t toss”Moss Boss”
but think”Jess’s Reserve”deserves some respect.
Farrior is a terrorer and cannot be denied.
Jess’s Reserve”got a bump and for a first time starter
that can be frightening.She wasn’t gonna win but does
deserve a close look at her next outing.
6th “Ice Kaufy”was hot tonight,me and Black were taken aback.
7th.”Secret Castle”should not have much of a hassle with that “Eloquent Lady”
or giving the razz to “Azzurra” and “Gandari”ain’t worth a Kopecki.
8th:”Violane”must be lame,she sold once for $210,000.
Mr Black has the idea that the outside is the place to be,
who am I to dispute an expert-“Line of Roses”is all mine.
You know what they say,Let’s go cash those tickets.
Me and Mr Black finished in the red,
but know Whattimeittizzz”-time for bed.