CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND ANALYSIS: April 10
Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is the normal 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
RACE 1
2-3-4-1
In the opening race on the first Saturday card in April, a two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #2 Ragtime Cowboy Joe (8-5) finished fourth as the odds-on choice last out against similar and should atone here for trainer Jeff Runco. #3 Charge Ahead (7-5) makes local debut after dull effort at Laurel last out for owner-trainer Stephen Murdock. #4 Brother Skye (6-1) graduated last out against maiden claimers and seeks second straight here for trainer Glenn Harrison of Mean Bean fame. #1 Crown and Coke (5-1) finished fourth last out and seeks to improve in this spot for trainer John Carlisle.
RACE 2
4-6-1-7
In this three-turn maiden $5,000 claiming event, #4 Stephanopoulos (7-2) has been third three times in five starts and looks to finally graduate here for trainer Stacey Viands of Parisian Diva fame. #6 Yes Means No (5-2) was second two back and has been second 11 times in 33 career tries and looks to continue or shed bridesmaid status here for trainer Joan Reynolds. #1 Prince Valeski (7-5) was good second last out for trainer Ronney Brown and could graduate as the favorite here. #7 Bank On Candy (9-2) gives Viands an outside chance to run one-two here.
- What we learned on Maryland Juvenile Stakes dayHere’s what we learned at Laurel Park for Saturday’s Maryland Juvenile and Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes.
RACE 3
3-5-2-4
In this one-turn allowance dash for state-bred older runners that could easily pass for a stake, #3 Aaron’s Tap (2-1) looks to regain his winning ways for trainer Jeff Runco in a wide open affair. #5 Sagebrush (9-5) has no shortage of speed and looms a major danger in this serious one-turn dash for trainer Tim Grams. #2 Hypothesis (5-2) has shown ability in one-turn and two-turn events for trainer Crystal Pickett and could forge a mile upset in this spot. #4 Unrideabull (9-2) is looking to regain his from from earlier stakes success locally for trainer Michael Sterling.
RACE 4
2-3-5-1
In this two-turn maiden special weight event for older runners, #2 Suspiros (6-5) makes local debut for trainer Aaron West and tries seventh different track in eight career outings but figures to graduate here as the odds-on choice. #3 Bloke (6-1) arrives following six tries at Gulfstream Park against maiden claimers and looms a factor here in local debut for trainer James Dean Lockear. #5 Gold Czar (4-1) finished solid third in local debut last out and should benefit from that outing in this spot for trainer Paul McEntee. #1 Native Courage (9-2) has been second three times and third four times in previous 13 outings from trainer Kristy Gazzier and could forge a mild surprise here.
RACE 5
1-2-4-7
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #1 Katie’s Bayou (3-1) has been second in each of her first two starts this year for owner-trainer Mark Shanley and could finally emerge victorious in this spot. #2 Mackenzie’s Star (9-5) defeated similar last out and seeks second straight score here for trainer Jeff Runco. #4 Sainte Therese (2-1) already owns one win and a pair of runner-up efforts this year for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. and could add to that resume here. #7 Captain Anne (8-1) has showed glimpse of ability locally for trainer John Capellini.
RACE 6
6-3-1-2
In this two-turn open maiden special weight event, #6 Malibu Circle (5-2) has been second twice at the level and could rebound from latest effort to graduate here for trainer Javier Contreras. #3 Grey Invasion (2-1) has been second and third in last two local outings for trainer Adam Ingram and could score here as the tepid choice. #1 Desert Lion (5-1) makes career debut off a series of solid workouts at Fair Hill for trainer Corby Caiazzo and could be poised to score at first asking. #2 Political Decision (10-1) gives Contreras an outside chance to run one-two in this spot.
- 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
7-5-1-4
In this one-turn allowance/optional $15,000 claiming event for fillies and mares, #7 Tel Aviv (2-1) defeated claimers last out and seeks second straight score here vaulting back into allowance company for trainer Kevin Patterson. #5 Three Bops (8-1) has been third in last two outings for trainer Lewis Craig, Jr. of Help a Brother fame and could forge a mild upset here. #1 Captain Sam (9-5) has faced much tougher at Gulfstream Park recently and makes local debut for trainer Robert “Butch” Reid. #4 Gold and Strike (7-2) won latest and sports three wins in last four local tries for trainer Ben Feliciano, Jr. and looms a threat here.
RACE 8
8-7-4-2
In the Saturday night finale, a wide open, one-turn dash for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #8 Papparoxy (5-1) looks to regain winning ways from favorable outside draw for trainer Jack Hurley. #7 Ginger in Disguise (15-1) finally gets outside draw and could forge a serious upset in this spot. #4 Best to Be Me (6-5) has been consistent at the level for trainer Mike Jones, Jr., and looms the solid favorite in the finale. #2 Love Happy (9-2) could be in prime position throughout to prevail in this wide open finale for trainer John A. Casey.
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2nd.That’s what I get for eating when I
should be betting on Mr Black,a box wooda
netted the Exacta:$41.30 and Tri:$49.10 not to
mention the sweet $16 win price-NICE.
3rd. At these prices I won’t rush to bet “Sagebrush”
but “Unrideabull” looks like he should be full of run.
“Unrideabull”was unbettable but
Black’s box didn’t pay lots,it did come in.
4th.West does look best in here,but
Oh dear,at 1 to 2,I’ll not see you
at the betting window.
5th.”Katie can’t get Bayou”,because
McKenzie’s Star can go this far and she can’t.
6th.Contreres to popular opinion,
Bennett put a lot of money down on “Anchor Up”
and he should “Burn These Ships” and
then stop the “Grey Invasion”
So much for that”Political Decision”,
“Anchor didn’t pull it Up” until way too late.
7th.”Gold may”Strike” Tel Aviv before the Iranians do,
but if:First Lady Maggie” is given her head she will take
it to both of them.
Ted didn’t have “Three Bops” on tops,
but a mighty fine second choice at $18.60.
8th.I’ thought it was “Best To be Me”but
didn’t see that “Stylish Paint”ain’t seeing
it that way.Seeya next week.
Vaya con Dios,amigos.