CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND ANALYSIS: DECEMBER 18
Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $166,458 (mandatory payout today)
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
2-3-5-6
In the opening race on the final card of the 2021 racing season at Charles Town, a two-turn maiden special weight event for two-year-old fillies, #2 Timeisgolden (2-1) has been second in each of her last three starts for trainer Stacey Viands and owner-breeder Troy Rankin, including gritty effort behind odds-on winner last out and finally looks poised to shed bridesmaid role and graduate in this spot. #3 Ten Twenty One (5-1) exits four tries against maiden special weight company in Maryland and looms a serious contender in local debut. #5 Enjoy Summer (7-2) was good third in local debut last out for trainer Jeff Runco after two outings at Belmont Park and Saratoga and certainly merits respect here. #6 Jacrodra’s Devil (9-5) has been second twice in five tries at four different ovals against maiden claimers and makes local debut here.
RACE 2
5-8-1-2
In this this two-turn event for $10,000 claimers, #5 Let’s Get Physical (7-2) prevailed against claimers two starts back and returns after a try against allowance foes. #8 Bull Meechum (9-5) won last out off an eight-month layoff and likely assumes favorite’s role in repeat bid here. #1 Crossthebay (4-1) gets favorable inside draw after four tries at Mountaineer Park and merits respect off two-month break. #2 In the Gospel (5-1) has been fourth in each of last two outings and could be destined for similar in this spot.
- Executive Order looks to bounce back in Maryland JuvenileExecutive Order, a debut winner at Saratoga, leads a nine-horse field into Saturday’s Maryland Juvenile Stakes at Laurel Park.
RACE 3
10-6-2-7
In this one-turn dash for state-bred two-year-olds, #10 Roll Dem Bones (7-2) gets favorable outside draw and could finally garner his diploma in eighth attempt for trainer Ollie Figgins III of Dance to Bristol fame. #6 Thunder Kitten (8-5) has been knocking on the door all four outings for trainer Javier Conteras of Late Nite Pow Wow fame and looms the solid favorite in his this spot. #2 My Phoenix (3-1) has already tried stakes foes twice and could graduate here for trainer John McKee. #7 Remys Gunsmoke (12-1) was decent fifth in career debut and figures to improve off that effort for trainer Tim Grams.
RACE 4
4-1-8-10
In this two-turn event for state-bred $10,000 claimers, #4 Prince Jacob (9-2) has been second in each of last two starts since returning from Mountaineer Park and could finally attain first win of the season here. #1 Eisele (5-1) gets favorable inside draw and exits allowance company for this spot. #8 Modern Day Romance (7-2) exits several allowance events since graduating against maiden claimers and could forge mild upset here for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. #10 Mio’s Graceland (4-1) has been third in each of last two outings and could improve here for trainer Victor Espinosa of Noble’s Honey fame.
RACE 5
2-11-9-7
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #2 Suzysellsseashells (8-5) has been fourth in each of last two but gets the nod to end four-month drought here for trainer Ronney Brown. #11 Risksrhighpayislow (4-1) returns from brief freshening and merits respect here if she gets in off the AE list. #9 Suzzette Star (5-1) has been improving each of last three outings and could forge mild upset in this spot. #7 Dial Emma Reilly (6-1) graduated here against maiden claimers and returns following several starts at Laurel.
RACE 6
8-9-10-6
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #8 Twobitsaride (5-1) won two back and was solid third last out and gets the nod for mild upset here. #9 Nazca Mystery (9-2) won last out for trainer Kristy Gazzier and could repeat in this spot. #10 Mean to Amend (4-1) makes long overdue seasonal return and looms a threat despite the lengthy layoff. #6 Castle Bound (8-1) scored WV Breeders’ Classic Shocker two years ago and seeks latest tally against bottom level claimers.
- CT: Septarian off to speedy startTwo-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
1-2-5-7
In this two-turn allowance for state-bred fillies and mares, #1 My Best Friend (9-5) gets favorable inside draw and arrives off nice win at Delaware Park two months ago. #2 Practically Dizzy (8-1) was solid second last out against similar and certainly merits respect here. #5 Boundtobebad (3-1) was sharp allowance winner last out and was solid second in stakes two starts back and looms a threat here. #7 Miss Wave (15-1) has shown glimpses of promise for trainer Ronney Brown and could cap several gimmicks at a big price.
RACE 8
10-7-12-11
In the Saturday night feature, a two-turn allowance for older runners, #10 Bubba Grump (3-1) has worked well since finishing ninth in the Onion Juice and gets the nod despite outside draw. #7 Tapping the Glass (9-5) has performed well in allowance races elsewhere and makes local debut for trainer Gary Capuano of Captain Bodgit fame. #12 Cielo Azul (5-2) was sharp second in local debut for trainer Joan Reynolds and looms a factor if he gets in off the AE list. #11 Buff’s Eye View (10-1) was runner-up in the 2020 WV Breeders’ Classic and seeking to regain that form here.
RACE 9
6-2-11-1
In the Saturday night finale, the ultimate “get out” race for players on the calendar, #6 Life in Flash (7-2) was solid second two back here and gets the nod to attain first win in 11 starts this year. #2 Dance Lightly (8-5) makes local debut following trio of decent efforts at Penn National and likely inherits favorite’s role in finale. #11 Mortal Storm (7-5) would make local debut if he gets in off the AE list for trainer Gary Capuano of Cherokee’s Boy fame. #1 Catherine’s Warrior (20-1) was good second two starts back and could round out several gimmicks at a big price in the finale.
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1st.I do”Enjoy Summer”and
and”Fear Not N Believe”she will not be a bummer.
2nd.If it’s”In The Gospel”I gotta believe that I can
walk”Crossthebay”to play and pick up some
“Omega Gold”today.
3rd.I did”Roll Dem Bones”too many times and
now look to see”Thunder Kitten”blow some “Remys Gunsmoke”.
4th.”Mr Hostler”may hustle outa da gate
and get to”Mio Graceland”before”Rock File”does.
1st.Well Ted had the”…Devil” to pay way down,I did not have him around.
2nd.Second,third and forth don’t pay a lot.
3rd.”Remys Gunsmoke”did promote a nice exacta and Tri with those other two.
4th.”Rock File”did defile my fine ticket with”Mr Hostler”$12.80 and”Mio Graceland” $46.60 Exacta.
5th.”Susiesellsseashells”but not to me,
I’ll go far with”Suzette’s Star.
6th.Castle Bound”may rebound with
“Twobitsaride”by his side.
7th.I tend towards”My Best Friend” but
I had”Boundtobebad”before and will not
close the door on her or”Awesome Alana”
8th.”Tapping The Glass”is the class,but”Mr Hoover”
could take over”Bubba Grump”for the place.
9th.”Dance Lightly”in the nightly but I am”Fonda Romana”
and”Life In A Flash”in this elongated dash.
5th.Susiesellsseashells”to suckers once again
but”Suzette’s Star”did not get very far.
6th.”Castle Bound”was not around but’Twobitsaride”did salvage my pride.