Charles Town picks and analysis: May 7
Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $140,799
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
1-3-2-4
In the opening race on the first Saturday night card in May and expected to be offered not long after the 148th Kentucky Derby is made official, #1 Cruz In The Castle (9-5) gets a favorable inside draw for this two-turn event for claimers and should be the one to reel in late. #3 Mortal Storm (6-5) was second in each of last two outings and looks destined to play favorite’s role in this spot for trainer Ronney Brown. #2 Chit Chat Girl (7-2) has been third twice in four starts this year and can atone for fifth-place effort last out. #4 Whiz Pass (15-1) has been fourth twice this year and looks destined for similar finish at a generous price for trainer Natasha Aylor.
RACE 2
7-6-5-4
In this wide open one-turn claiming event that will cap the early daily double, #7 Henry Standingbear (5-1) gets favorable outside draw and gets the nod to forge mild upset here. #6 Agent Stone (8-1) should also benefit from post position and merits respect at a decent price. #5 Tapping (6-1) was good third in seasonal debut and could benefit from that outing here at a generous price. #4 Smellslikemoney (15-1) graduated in March and seeks to regain winning ways as major surprise here.
- 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 maiden $5,000 claiming event, #6 Ascended (7-2) has been second three times and third three times in 14 career tries for trainer David Walters but may finally earn diploma here. #5 Dinner Bell (5-1) has yet to hit the board in eight career tries but exits maiden special weight company and could forge mild surprise in this spot. #4 Hurricane Amigo (3-1) has been second three times in five tries this year for trainer Linda Dohlinger-Stehr and looms post time choice here. #3 Frosty the Bull (9-2) exits maiden special weight company in second local outing and merits respect in this spot.
RACE 4
6-4-3-1
In this one-turn allowance/optional $15,000 claiming event for fillies and mares, #6 Bahamian Girl (4-1) has won three straight, including allowance tally last Saturday for trainer Kristy Gazzier and should maintain sharp form here. #4 Coach Rube (9-2) has always been consistent sort and merits respect here for trainer Kevin Patterson. #3 Scarlet Tanager (7-2) has won four straight for trainer Kevin Joy and looms the tepid choice in competitive affair. #1 Captain Sam (9-2) has been second in each of last two and gives Patterson chance to run one-two in this spot.
RACE 5
8-1-10-4
In this two-turn maiden special weight event, #8 Fully Connected (8-5) makes local debut after series of efforts against tougher in Kentucky and could be odds-on in this spot for trainer Anthony Farrior. #1 Night Boss (10-1) also makes local debut following decent outings in Maryland and Delaware and certainly merits respect here with favorable inside draw. #10 More Please (10-1) was second two starts back and could atone for latest outing here for trainer Javier Contreras. #4 Toller (5-1) was solid second in career debut and looms a serious contender here for trainer Tim Grams.
RACE 6
5-6-1-2
In this interesting two-turn allowance event for state-breds, #5 Settlement Date (3-1) graduated smartly at first asking in one-turn maiden special weight event and gets the nod to repeat while stretching out to two turns for first time. #6 My Boy Clyde (2-1) was solid second last out at this level and looms the favorite here for trainer Javier Contreras. #1 Twilight Years (5-1) graduated last out and could repeat against winners and also gives Contreras chance to run one-two here. #2 C R’s Mandate (8-1) has hit the board consistently for trainer Raimondo Schiano-DiCola of Gabriel’s Smile fame.
- 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
8-9-5-7
In this intriguing and competitive three-turn allowance for fillies and mares, #8 Pettigo Girl (7-2) was solid second in local debut last out for trainer Gary Contessa and should benefit from that effort. #9 Trumpet Lilly (4-1) was fourth in local debut for trainer Norm Cash and certainly merits respect here. #5 Mady Rose (6-1) was fourth in each of last three tries against similar but could improve on those finishes in this spot. #7 Uncaptured Ruby (20-1) could complete several gimmicks at a very generous price.
RACE 8
4-7-1-2
In the Saturday finale on the first Saturday in May, #4 Commcat (9-2) was solid second last out after winning two back and gets the nod for mild upset here for trainer Javier Contreras. #7 Toolegittoquit (8-5) makes local debut for trainer Stacey Viands of Parisian Diva fame after facing tougher at Florida tracks and looms the favorite in this spot. #1 Howsafearemycolors (6-1) gets favorable rail draw for trainer David Walters and certainly cannot be overlooked here. #2 Undeniable Touch (8-1) exits much tougher last two and merits respect here.
LATEST NEWS
1st.My”Lil Sweetheart”here will be
“Boca Birdie”for Pickett.
2nd.I don’t care for”Henrystandingbear”
but “Agent Stone””Smellslikemoney”to me.
3rd.Only a dope could miss”Wayne’s Hope”taking this.
He is”Ascended”to my best bet today.
4th.There should be a “Heated”duel
and several of these will be “Lookingforanewspot”to lie down
and betting “China Cat”will make you fat.
1st.That big chalk completed my $148 Tri box.
2nd.”Agent Stone”-$25.60 should atone for any losers
like”Wayne’s Hope”that I gave out.
4th.”Heated”defeated but
China Cat”went flat.
5th.Don’t toss”Night Boss”
but say”Hello Amigo” when “More does Please”.
6th.I fears”Twilight Years”but won’t berate:Settlement Date”
or “My Boy Clyde”rides “With Secret Energy”.
7th.The only dilemma with”Jerusalema” is
can she nose”Mady Rose”and”Mi Cleopatra And I”
8th.”Undeniable Touch”don’t look like much
because”Howsafearemycolors”looks “Toolegittoquit”.
8th.
5th.I gave ya the Tri so don’t cry.
6th.”Twilight Years”made me shed tears.
7th.A sweet $16 for”Jerusalema”and a $57 exacta with”Mady Rose”
8th.Now youse knows I wanna close with another big one.
So don’t be afraid to invest some of rest you won.
8th.I gave ya the last exacta and that’s a facta: $12,40
Vaya con Dios,amigos.
Look for me at “Give Em the Finger Lakes” on Monday.