CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND ANALYSIS: February 12
Charles Town has a nine-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: None
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
3-4-1-6
In the Saturday night opener on the eve of Super Bowl Sunday, a one-turn maiden $5,000 claiming event, #3 Split the Pack (9-5) gets the slight nod to forge mild upset in this spot for trainer Scott Lane. #4 Ascended (8-5) will likely assume the favorite’s role at post time for trainer David Walters and certainly merits respect here. #1 Now I’m Broke (5-2) will have to overcome occasionally difficult inside draw in this one-turn dash for trainer Crystal Pickett and makes 17th attempt to garner diploma. #6 Nodus (20-1) deserves a look to round out several gimmicks at a big price.
RACE 2
5-3-7-2
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #5 Windrush Karma (9-5) could cap moderately chalky early daily double in local debut for trainer Tim Salzman. #3 Spunky Ali Cat (3-1) was humbled in seasonal debut late last month but should benefit from that effort and pose threat to the top two choices here. #7 Cheese Louise (8-5) rarely fails to hit the board and now looks to overcome outside draw here for trainer Ronney Brown. #2 City Princess (30-1) has delivered some big efforts in the past and now seeks to complete the superfecta at a big price.
- 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
3-5-6-2
In this intriguing, one-turn maiden special weight event for older fillies and mares, #3 Aadhanna (2-5) makes local debut after five tries in Southern California and looms the shortest-priced favorite of the night. #5 As It Should Be (2-1) arrives off two starts last spring against maiden special weight foes at Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park and should give the top choice a battle in the lane. #6 Midnight Fling (10-1) has been second twice in six previous outings and deserves a look in seasonal debut. #2 Lady Cinco De Mayo (12-1) also makes seasonal debut following three tries against similar local foes for trainer Dewayne Johnson.
RACE 4
3-1-4-2
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #3 Out of Romance (7-5) ended her previous campaign graduating against maiden claimers and looms the favorite in this spot for trainer Anthony Farrior. #1 My Dream Girl (2-1) gets favorable inside draw for trainer Mike E. Butts and looms main threat to the top choice here. #4 Lookin Back (7-2) already makes third seasonal outing and gives Butts outside chance to run one-two in this spot. #2 Rhythm Tree (12-1) actually graduated against maiden special weight foes here last May and seeks to end modest skid here for trainer James Cornwell, Jr.
RACE 5
4-6-7-1
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #4 High Print (4-1) has finished seventh in each of last two after winning three back but gets nod for mild upset here for trainer Mike E. Butts. #6 Lookin’ Smart (8-5) has been second in each of last two for trainer Jeff Runco and looms the solid favorite to end recent bridesmaid role. #7 Frathouse Music (2-1) won two straight last summer and looks to end mild drought here. #1 Hard Being Me (9-2) gets favorable inside draw for owner-trainer Edwin Tobin and could post mild upset here.
RACE 6
3-2-7-8
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #3 Holiday Bonus (2-1) makes local debut for trainer Mike Jones, Jr. following extensive travels and appearance in a pair of graded stakes earlier in his career. #2 Wall (6-1) won three starts back and looks to regain winning ways at a modest price here. #7 Quick Entry (5-2) won two starts back for trainer Anthony Farrior and could regain winning ways in this spot. #8 Positive Phil (3-1) ended previous campaign with a victory and seeks second straight for Farrior.
- 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
8-6-5-2
In this one-turn dash for $15,000 claiming three-year-olds, #8 Baytown Jakester (6-1) gets favorable outside draw and looks primed for mild surprise in this spot for trainer Stacey Viands of Parisian Diva fame. #6 Golden Hughes (5-1) makes seasonal debut and exits allowance event for trainer Anthony Farrior. #5 Cairo Calling (9-5) graduated two starts back against maiden special weight event and exits allowance event for trainer Jeff Runco. #2 Cajun Invasion (3-1) graduated three starts back and exits two allowance events for trainer Edward T. “Ned” Allard.
RACE 8
5-7-6-4
In this two-turn allowance for fillies and mares, #5 Boundtobebad (6-5) looks to continue her winning ways as the tepid favorite and represent state-breds against several invading distaffers for trainer John A. Casey. #7 She’s Dancing (7-5) certainly looms a formidable foe in this spot for trainer Flint Stites and could eventually assume favorite’s role. #6 Jamestown Road (10-1) has shown flashes of ability in the past and merits respect at a generous price for trainer James W. Casey. #4 Fudge Cake (15-1) looks to continue successful weekend for Maryland-breds following on the heels of Knicks Go getting Horse of the Year.
RACE 9
8-9-10-11
In the Saturday night finale, a competitive and contentious one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-bred three-year-olds, #8 Remys Gunsmoke (6-5) looks poised to graduate in this spot and continue superb week for trainer Tim Grams in similar events. #9 My Phoenix (5-2) gets favorable outside draw and certainly merits respect in this spot for trainer John McKee. #10 Man of the Cloth (10-1) makes career debut for owner-breeder-trainer Kathleen Hamlin and seeks to answer some prayers for longshot players. #11 Spirit of Windsor (15-1) deserves a look if he gets in off the also eligible list.
LATEST NEWS
1st.I wouldn’t be dependin on “Ascended”
and “Split The Pack”will take up the slack.
2nd.”Bass can get the cash,but Acosta is
looking for 3,502nd.
3rd.I’ll take a “Midnight Fling before I
bet a thing on an odds on newbie.
4th.”My Dream Girl”will be”Lookin Back”
at “Out Of Romance”.
5th.You won’t be”Lookin’ Smart”if you
bet on Runco here,but I can see it’s “Hard Being Me”.
6th.I’ll take an”Inside Risk”and put it all on”Wall”.
7th.You might be bawling if you bet”Cairo Calling”
but”Uottolikeit”when Allard makes a hit.
8th.”Boundtobebad”can be had,
watch out for that”Devilish Beauty”,”Nurse Tompkins”.
9th.”My Phoenix”can rise from the dashes,
but'”Fearnought”to bet this dreadnaught.