CHARLES TOWN PICKS AND ANALYSIS: March 5
Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $53,059
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
4-5-3-2
In the Saturday night opener, a one-turn dash for state-bred $10,000 claiming fillies and mares, #4 Power Sonde (9-5) exits allowance races to start the season and looks destined to prevail in this spot for trainer Michael Weeks. #5 Handsome Joanie (5-1) was decent fourth in seasonal debut last month and gets favorable outside draw here for trainer Stacey Viands of Parisian Diva fame. #3 Sister Joann (3-1) was solid second last out and should make her presence known in this spot. #2 Dereka’s Bluff (5-2) was also second last out after exiting allowance company and looms a threat here.
RACE 2
7-6-5-4
In this one-turn dash for maiden $5,000 claimers, #7 Tempesta (5-2) gets favorable outside draw and should live up to billing as tepid favorite for trainer Chuck Lawrence. #6 Hurricane Amigo (7-2) was solid third last out and hoping 19th time is charge for trainer Linda Dohlinger-Stehr. #5 Now I’m Broke (4-1) was also good third last out and perhaps trainer Crystal Pickett is hoping 18th time is the charm here. #4 Channel Scent (8-1) makes career debut for owner-trainer John McKee and could graduate at first asking.
- 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
6-5-4-3
In this one-turn allowance dash for fillies and mares, #6 Always Mia (6-5) graduated in local debut for trainer Claudio Gonzalez and looks poised to repeat against winners at odds-on. #5 Shiny Penny (4-1) graduated last out in seasonal debut and fourth attempt overall and could foil favorite’s bid for repeat score. #4 American Bound (9-2) was solid second in local allowance last out and could forge mild surprise here despite modest layoff. #3 Reign On and On (12-1) was humbled in last at this level after graduating two back but could be a factor here at a very generous price.
RACE 4
5-4-2-1
In this two-turn event for $4,000 claimers, #5 Dance Lightly (2-1) was sharp second last out and could forge very mild upset here for trainer John Stahlin. #4 Carina (8-1) makes seasonal debut but won last time over the strip and certainly merits respect if ready off the modest break. #2 Take Charge Tina (7-5) has yet to hit the board in two seasonal outings but Anthony Farrior trainee is likely to get well backed here. #1 I Am I Will (12-1) could certainly round out the gimmicks at a big price with favorable inside draw.
RACE 5
2-1-5-4
In this two-turn allowance for older runners, #2 Ministry of Magic (2-1) won smartly over the strip last out and looks poised to notch second straight tally for trainer Anthony Rideoutt II. #1 Spunman (6-1) was good third in seasonal debut six weeks ago for trainer Jeff Runco and gets favorable inside draw in this spot and merits a look at decent price. #5 Tapit to the Wire (7-5) makes local debut after facing tougher at Gulfstream Park and gives Runco outside chance to run one-two here. #3 Remys Showtime (12-1) defeated allowance foes in final 2021 outing and can atone for fifth-place finish in seasonal debut for trainer Tim Grams.
RACE 6
2-3-5-6
In this two-turn allowance for fillies and mares, #2 Dubai Was Lit (5-1) gets favorable inside draw for trainer Javier Contreras and looks poised for mild upset in here. #3 House Wrecker (7-5) graduated against maiden claimers at Turfway Park last out and makes local debut here for trainer Anthony Farrior and will likely assume favorite’s role at post time. #5 Complete Surprise (5-2) has been consistent sort thus far for owner-trainer Ernest Haynes and makes seasonal debut off ‘bullet’ work on Tuesday. #6 Dazzle Me (6-1) bested claimers last out for trainer Russell Davis and seeks repeat score against much tougher.
- 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
5-6-3-9
In this two-turn allowance for fillies and mares, #5 Moonlit Shadow (3-1) was solid third in local debut last out for trainer Tim Grams and still seeking to duplicate form of talented full-sister Moonlit Song. #6 Mending (2-1) makes local debut off a series of decent outings at Laurel and certainly merits respect here. #3 Pretty Edgy (5-2) was solid second against allowance foes two back at Penn National and makes local debut for trainer Richard Sillaman. #9 Mady Rose (8-1) sports 3-3-3 slate in 14 previous outings for trainer Javier Contreras and makes seasonal debut here.
RACE 8
3-4-5-7
In the Saturday night finale, a two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #3 Totally Perfect (5-2) makes local debut following third-place effort last out at Penn National and appears likely to prevail here. #4 Travel Girl (3-1) also makes local debut after outings at Turfway Park and looms a threat to the top choice in this spot for trainer Joan Reynolds. #5 Rhythm Tree (10-1) was solid third last out and could forge mild surprise here. #7 California Suzy (7-2) was also solid third last out for trainer John McKee and merits respect despite outside draw.
LATEST NEWS
1st. Weeks may come up weak with the chalk
but Johnson may have enough with “Dereka’s Bluff”.
2nd.Let’s see the McKees run one-two,
“Channel may be heaven Scent”.
3rd.Often but not”Always Mia”may bounce
and :American Bound”could come around
and “Ding Ding”can ring ring that bell.
4th.Hummer threw in a bummer in his last
but I am still”Fonda Romana”and”Dance Lightly”mightly.
We both stunk up the first four
one winner mentioned in 16 selections
for Ted-I had a victory celebration
when”Mark Did It”bit the bullet
and didn’t run.
But have faith fans,I’m just warmed up.
5th.Tapit To The Wire”should fire
and”Strong Heart”could get part of the exacta.
6th.”Dubai Was Lit”can sit the trip
if”House don’t Wrecker”it.
7th.I’m tending towards”Mending” but
“Miss Wave”may not cave and Sillaman looks”Pretty Edgy”.
8th.”California Suzy”may be “Looking Back”on that”Travel Girl”who
is surely worth a whirl.
We’re down to the last and
have not a winner given,but if
the past is any indication let’s send it in
on”….Suzy”my”Travel Girl”.
I hope you followed me
that $19.50 5 times got me even.
vaya con Dios,amigos.