CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND ANALYSIS: MAY 15

Aaron's Tap
Aaron’s Tap won the 2019 It’s Only Money Stakes. 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

4-5-6-1

In the opener on the Saturday night card scheduled to go postward not long after the Preakness Stakes is made official, #4 Miss Wave (3-1) looks primed for her second victory of the season for owner-trainer-breeder John McKee. #5 Lady Licious (10-1) certainly merits an upset chance in here for trainer Ollie Figgins III of Dance to Bristol fame while seeking her first win in four seasonal tries. #6 Privately (7-5) has been idle since winning consecutive starts in the fall of 2019 and may need a start or two before regaining her winning ways for trainer Javier Contreras. #1 Undeniable Touch (7-2) exits allowance company for trainer Anthony Farrior and will be dangerous here despite rail draw. 

RACE 2

6-2-4-5

in this intriguing, open, one-turn maiden special weight event for three-year-old males, #6 Don’t Dare Me (6-5) was second last out and three times in first four starts and looks poised to graduate here with favorable outside draw for trainer Anthony Farrior. #2 Aces Up (8-1) makes career debut in this spot but merits an upset chance for trainer Juan Carlos Gotera. #4 Little Bold Bandit (9-5) makes local debut for trainer John (Jerry) Robb of Little Bold John and Anna’s Bandit fame and could provide mild upset in sixth career outing. #5 Runaway Crown (5-1) steps up from maiden claimers but gives Farrior chance to run one-two here. 

RACE 3

6-3-5-7

In this competitive, two-turn allowance for state-bred fillies and mares, #6 Door Buster (5-2) captured the It’s Binn Too Long Stakes last out and seeks her third straight score for Figgins. #3 Suzysellsseashells (2-1) looms the mild favorite in here while seeking her first win of the season for trainer Damon Dilodovico of Immortal Eyes fame. #5 That Kenney Kid (3-1) is looking to regain her winning ways since capturing the Triple Crown Nutrition Breeders Classics last fall for trainer Jeff Runco. #7 Boundtobeok (5-1) has won twice in three starts this year for trainer James W. Casey and certainly merits respect in this spot. 

RACE 4

6-2-5-3

In this wide open, one-turn maiden special weight dash for fillies and mares, #6 Stacia Wildfire (15-1) makes career debut against a suspect group and looks poised to an upset for owner-trainer Greg Viands. #2 Fifth Illusion (12-1) also merits respect at a price for trainer Ernesto Perez. #5 English Heiress (8-5) has been idle since running in a stakes at Colonial Downs in the summer of 2019 and may need a race or two. #3 In Speight Of Sara (9-5) has been idle since a fall 2019 maiden special weight outing at Hawthorne and might also need a race or two to graduate. 

RACE 5

8-7-4-3

In this one-turn dash for $5,000 claimers, #8 Ticker Tape Parade (7-2) should benefit from outside draw here and forged a mild upset for trainer Mario Serey, Jr. #7 London Werewolf (15-1) also should benefit from outside post and loom a threat at a big price for trainer Ronney Brown. #4 Taptaptap (9-5) won earlier this year and has been second and fourth since but has also been idle since late February and could be tough to back at a short price. #3 Fluent in Sarcasm (5-1) has won twice in four starts this year and gives Brown an outside chance to run one-two here.

RACE 6

1-4-7-3

In this interesting, two-turn maiden special weight event for three-year-olds, #1 Fashionable (6-1) makes second start for Contreras following a decent debut outing going one-turn and should be a factor stretching out here. #4 Heart and Hope (6-5) is the lone sophomore filly trying boys in her career debut for trainer Anthony Margotta, Jr. and New Jersey shipper looms the solid choice. #7 One More Factor (5-2) finished nondescript seventh against maiden claimers in his career debut for Jonathan Maldonado but merits respect here. #3 Subject to Change (3-1) makes his career debut off a series of good workouts at Laurel and Pimlico for Robb. 

RACE 7

7-5-4-2

In this contentious, one-turn allowance dash for older males, #7 Command The Cat (3-1) looks to regain his winning ways for owner-breeder-trainer McKee and gets favorable outside draw in this spot. #5 Stretch the Truth (5-2) makes local debut for trainer Claudio Gonzalez and certainly merits respect in this spot. #4 Vic’s Pick (5-1) makes second start of the season for owner-breeder-trainer Michael Sterling and should improve off seasonal debut. #2 Brother Corbin (8-1) makes seasonal debut in a tough spot but could prove to play a spoiler role here. 

RACE 8

8-4-2-6

In this two-turn maiden $15,000 claiming event for state-bred males to cap the Saturday card, #8 Another Move (12-1) rates more than an upset chance for trainer and former local jockey Lenworth Kirlew. #4 Cocky Winchell (9-2) may have found the right spot to graduate for owner-trainer Farrior. #2 Blue Collar Boy (9-5) exits maiden special weight company first two outings and looms the likely favorite here for trainer Tim Grams of Runnin’toluvya and Moonlit Song fame. #6 Stride On By (8-5) is one of only two sophomores trying older here for trainer Tim Shanley. 

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