CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND ANALYSIS: October 9

Art Collector
Art Collector and Luis Saez won the 2021 G2 Charles Town Classic. Photo by Allison Janezic.

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

Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $2,618

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RACE 1

2-4-7-6

In the opening race on the 35th edition of the West Virginia Breeders Classics night, the $75,000 Vincent Moscarelli Memorial for state-bred two-year-olds, #2 Run to Daylight (4-5) has won both of his starts in smart fashion, including the recent Henry Mercer Memorial, and he should be able to stretch his speed two turns for trainer Jeff Runco. #4 Amidships (7-2) won going two turns last out and gives Runco solid chance to run one-two in the opener. #7 Roll Dem Bones (12-1) has finished second twice in four starts for trainer Ollie Figgins III and can rebound from Laurel venture last out. #6 Jungle Beast (10-1) rates a chance to complete several gimmicks at a decent price for trainer Javier Contreras.

RACE 2

5-8-2-4

In the $75,000 Triple Crown Nutrition BC for two-year-old fillies going two turns, #5 Fancy Her Up (1-1) has won both of her local tries in razor sharp fashion for owner-breeder-trainer John A. Casey, including the recent Rachel’s Turn Stakes, and clearly looms the one to beat attempting to carry her speed two turns for the first time. #8 O K Smarty Pants (5-1) was second to the top choice in the Rachel’s Turn after graduating two back and merits respect here for trainer Michael Sterling. #2 Cousin Winnie (6-1) was good third in the Rachel’s Turn last out after graduating at first asking and could forge mild upset for owner-breeder-trainer Jon McKee. #4 The Sky Is Falling (8-1) has shown little speed early in first two starts but added distance may give Runco trainee upset chance here.

RACE 3

3-7-5-4

Up next in the $75,000 West Virginia Dash For Cash BC, arguably the most contentious event on the card, #3 Golden Key (9-5) gets the nod to atone for third-place effort as the chalk in the Last Enchantment Stakes last out for trainer Ronney Brown. #7 Hypothesis (8-5) rallied to take the Last Enchantment last out and is the only starter on the card for trainer Crystal Pickett who won the previous two editions of this event with the late Dr. Feelgood. #5 Aaron’s Tap (3-1) bested this group two back and would not be a surprise here for Runco. #4 Laughing Cat (10-1) gives McKee another chance to forge a mild upset in the early portion of the program.

RACE 4

1-2-6-7

Then in the $75,000 West Virginia Lottery BC for state-bred three-year-olds going two turns, #1 Youthinkthatsfunny (5-2) followed third-place effort in the Robert Leavitt with a sharp allowance score and gets the nod to forge mild upset here for McKee. #2 Social Chic (9-5) has been solid all season for Runco and gives conditioner chance to saddle another morning line choice on the card. #6 Boss E Boogs (10-1) has has shown glimpses of promise for trainer Joseph Stehr and merits respect here at a generous price. #7 No Change (2-1) has been second in each of last two, including the Leavitt, and gives McKee outside chance to run one-two in this event.

RACE 5

6-7-9-4

In the $75,000 West Virginia Tourism Office BC for three-year-old fillies going two turns, #6 Door Buster (8-5) won the Sadie Hawkins last out for Figgins and looms the one to beat in wide open affair. #7 CV’s Powerpak (4-1) prepped smartly last out with solid allowance score for trainer Tim Grams and rates solid chance to upset here. #9 Mady Rose (5-2) could be decent price in this spot and can atone for dull showing in the Sadie Hawkins here for Contreras. #4 Moonlit Shadow (9-2) has been consistent sort throughout her career and gives Grams lukewarm chance to run one-two in this event.

RACE 6

7-4-10-2

In the $75,000 Onion Juice BC for older runners going two turns, #7 Fancy Concho (2-1) has only been worse than second twice in 15 lifetime outings for Grams and can rebound from dull outing in the Frank Gall last out. #4 Boaster (4-1) exits three-turn allowance tally and appears to be peaking at the right time for Runco. #10 Penguin Power (9-5) is the two-time defending champion of this event but has failed to hit the board in four starts this year for Runco and merits a shaky proposition at a short price here. #2 Command The Cat (10-1) finished with good energy in the Last Enchantment last out for McKee and could forge mild surprise stretching out to two turns.

  • CT: Septarian off to speedy start
    Two-year-old Septarian has hit the ground running, winning first out at Charles Town and then doubling up with a win at Laurel for Javier Contreras.

RACE 7

10-2-5-8

Then in the $175,000 Cavada Breeders Classic for fillies and mares traveling two turns, #10 Star of Night (1-5) has won all three of her starts this year, including the Sadie Hawkins last out for Runco and the reigning West Virginia-bred horse of the year is tough to overlook in this spot. #2 Bridging the Gap (9-2) is actually the defending champion of this event for McKee, but she will have to rebound from puzzling effort against allowance foes last out to overtake the top one. #5 Miss Wave (30-1) was sharp allowance winner first start off the claimer for trainer Ronney Brown and merits respect at a big price here. #8 Coach Rube (30-1) has shown ample promise in the past and rates the best of two in here for trainer Mike Jones, Jr.

RACE 8

8-7-6-4

Up next in the centerpiece event on the program, the $300,000 Classic for older runners traveling the three-turn distance of one-mile and one-eighth, #8 Muad’dib (8-5) has won all seven of his career efforts to date, including the Frank Gall last out in his stakes debut for Runco and gets the nod to remain perfect while attempting to navigate distance and third turn for the first time. #7 North Atlantic (2-1) makes his fifth attempt at Classic success and eight-year-old gelding is as good as ever right now for Runco and could finally shed bridesmaid role in main event. #6 Awsome Faith (15-1) arrives as the defending champion of this event for owner-breeder-trainer Jeff “Scotty” Allen and could be even bigger price than 37-1 longshot status of a year ago. #4 Chief Randel (12-1) has always shown a modest fondness for this oval in limited local starts and could round out the gimmicks here.

RACE 9

10-4-8-9

In the WVBC finale, the $75,000 Roger Ramey Distaff for fillies and mares going three turns and nine furlongs, #10 She Figures (5-1) arrives as the defending champion of this event for Brown and gets the nod for mild upset here. #4 Boundtobebad (4-1) has every right to be good in this spot and possible lukewarm post time choice for trainer John A. Casey. #8 The Better One (8-1) gives owner-trainer and former jockey Kristy Petty outside chance for a surprise here. #9 See Ya Manana (9-2) gives Runco chance to sweep the last three races on the card.

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