CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND ANALYSIS: February 26

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, $27,203

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1

1-2-5-7

In the Saturday night opener, a two-turn event for state-bred $4,000 claimers, #1 Buff N (3-1) won three starts back and should benefit from seasonal debut last out and regain winning ways for trainer Crystal Pickett. #2 Risksrhighpayislow (6-1) already makes fourth start of the year for owner-trainer Michael Atkins and merits respect in this spot. #5 Suzysellseashells (7-2) rarely runs a bad race and looks to end six-month drought here for owner-trainer Ronney Brown. #7 Imagoodchatterbug (6-1) makes seasonal debut here but boasts 10 wins in 42 previous career tries.

RACE 2

2-4-6-3

In this two-turn event for maiden $12,500 claimers, #2 Sooey’s Princess (3-5) exits maiden special weight company for second seasonal outing and looks poised to graduate here for trainer James W. Casey. #4 Ex Rated (6-1) dropped to similar level last out and should atone for that performance while likely settling for minor spoils here. #6 Nicky D (5-1) was solid second at this level last out for trainer Jamey Johnson and merits respect in this spot. #3 Warriorinthehouse (8-1) was fifth in seasonal debut last out but could improve off that effort for trainer Natasha Aylor.

RACE 3

5-4-3-1

In this one-turn allowance dash for state-bred older males, #5 Nico (7-5) looks to atone for latest outings and regain winning ways here for trainer Javier Contreras of Late Night Pow Wow fame, #4 Derby Day Dreams (6-1) was good third in seasonal debut last out after ending previous campaign with a solid score and could forge mild upset here. #3 Fiber Strong (4-1) was solid second last out for trainer Jeff Runco but rarely puts together two good efforts in consecutive races. #1 Shameless Risk (7-2) makes seasonal debut off nine-month respite for trainer Ronney Brown and looms a threat if re

RACE 4

7-5-3-1

In this one-turn dash for state-bred $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #7 Miss Morgantown (9-2) finished solid third two starts back and could atone for latest effort with favorable outside draw here for trainer Ronney Brown. #5 Meet Ms Bobbi Rae (5-2) has been third three times in last four outings for trainer Ollie Figgins, III of Dance to Bristol fame and merits respect in this spot. #3 Not for Gold (3-1) was sharp second two starts back and can improve off fourth-place effort last out for trainer Keith Brown. #1 Iamthebesttoo (7-2) was solid second last out against similar and could forge mild upset here despite rail draw.

RACE 5

3-4-6-1

In this two-turn allowance/optional $25,000 claiming event for older runners, #3 Rookie Salsa (9-5) has won both of his local starts for trainer Claudio Gonzalez and seeks three-peat here as the logical favorite. #4 No Change (2-1) also arrives having won both of his starts this year for owner-breeder-trainer John McKee and will give the top choice a serious challenge in the lane. #6 Boaster (7-2) has finished third in each of his two tries this year against similar and appears destined for similar role here for trainer Jeff Runco. #1 Martinkelly (8-1) has been fourth and fifth in two local outings and could improve with favorable inside draw.

RACE 6

2-1-5-6

In this two-turn event for $6,250 claimers, #2 Black Steel (5-1) exits allowance company and could regain winning ways at a generous price here. #1 E J’s Revenge (8-1) won last out and already sports two wins from three starts this year and could forge mild surprise in this spot. #5 King Nekia (5-2) also won last out and seeks second straight for trainer Ronney Brown. #6 Scottsdale (3-1) has been second in each of last two outings at Penn National and returns to potentially winnable spot.

RACE 7

5-4-3-1

In this one-turn allowance dash for state-bred fillies and mares, #5 My Pretty Eyes (3-1) triumphed in seasonal debut and looks poised to continue newfound winning ways for owner-breeder-trainer John McKee. #4 Gary Doing Biz (4-1) was sharp second last out and merits respect here for trainer David Walters. #3 Jeanie’s Angel (7-2) makes local debut off series of good efforts against claiming company at Laurel Park for trainer Gary Capuano. #1 Deemed Essential (5-2) graduated three starts back and seeks first tally at the entry level for trainer Anthony Farrior.

RACE 8

6-7-8-4

In this two-turn allowance for state-bred older boys, #6 Hot Fudge Sonde (2-1) was sharp second last out and has yet to finish worse than second in promising start to career for trainer Jamey Johnson. #7 Master This (4-1) won two back and appears set to atone for fourth-place effort last out for trainer Dale Capuano. #8 River Warrior Rvf (3-1) has been third in each of last two tries at this level for trainer Jeff Runco and seems destined for similar effort here. #4 Bright Dawn (8-1) makes seasonal debut here for trainer A. Ferris Allen III and seeks first win since Coin Collector Stakes score 21 months ago.

RACE 9

9-8-10-11

In the Saturday night finale, a two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #9 Big Mamba (7-2) won last out in local and seasonal debut and seeks repeat score here for trainer Kristy Gazzier. #8 Talkthetalk (5-2) won two starts back and was solid third in seasonal debut last out and looms the post time choice in this spot for trainer David Walters. #10 Wild Cappucino (10-1) won last out in seasonal debut and seeks second straight tally at a generous price despite outside post. #11 Dustwhirl Wonder (10-1) merits respect if she draws in off the AE list here for trainer Mike Jones , Jr.

LATEST NEWS