CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND HORSES TO WATCH: JUNE 11

Sleepy Eyes Todd
Sleepy Eyes Todd won the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic. Photo by Coady Photography.

Charles Town Races has an eight-race card on tap for this evening. Post time for the opener is 7:00 p.m., and we’ve got Charles Town picks.

Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $35,616

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE NUMBERCONTENDERSCOMMENTS
Race 51-2-4-6Top choice #1 I’m a Total Diva (2-1) took a big step forward on the slop last time, yes, dead-heating for the win, but finishing nine ahead of everyone else with a big jump in speed fig. She should catch a wet track again here, which moves her above morning line favorite #2 Gitane (6-5). The Jeff Runco-trained Gitane won at first asking, defeating I’m a Total Diva and another next-out graduate in the process. She’d be no surprise in a race that should come down to these two… #4 Vintage Sparkle (10-1) finished just behind I’m a Total Diva two back and then returned to thrash maidens at Mountaineer last time. She’s shown early foot in her best efforts… #6 Charitable Any (8-1) has run a couple of competitive races at the level but would need to show more to contend with the top pair…

Saturday night’s Charles Town card features four allowance races, the last of which brings the return of the West Virginia-bred Horse of the Year. Star of Night (1-5) hasn’t race since edging Bridging the Gap in a thrilling renewal of the My Sister Pearl Stakes December 12. That was her third consecutive stakes triumph to cap a memorable season in which she won six of seven starts and earned $152,405. The Jeff Runco trainee is showing five works in the last two months, including a bullet five-furlong move in 1:00 3/5 May 14. Arnaldo Bocachica will ride.

Her main competition looks to come from Shutupn’kissme (9-2). John McKee and owns this homebred daughter of his stallion Fiber Sonde. She earned champion state-bred two-year-old filly laurels last year after a season in which she won twice, including in the Eleanor Casey Memorial Stakes November 28. She has a win from three starts this year and last out was a clear second in the 4 1/2-furlong Its Binn Too Long Stakes. Reshawn Latchman will ride.

The $30,800 contest at 6 1/2 furlongs is carded as race seven on the program.

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