Charles Town picks and analysis: May 14
Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
Carryovers: None
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
1-4-5-3
In the Saturday opener, an interesting, two-turn allowance for older runners, #1 Prairie (4-1) gets favorable rail draw for trainer Anthony Farrior and has been first and second in two local outings. #4 River Crosroad RVF (7-5) won two starts back but will seek to atone for fifth-place effort last out for trainer Jeff Runco. #5 Fancy Concho (2-1) won two starts back as well and exits Confucius Say Stakes for trainer Tim Grams. #3 Like Segal (9-2) won last out for trainer Javier Contreras but has been idle since late February tally.
RACE 2
1-6-5-2
In this contentious, two-turn event for state-bred $15,000 claiming fillies and mares, #1 Hook the Chain (9-2) was solid second last out after graduating against maiden claimers two back and gets favorable rail draw for trainer M. Joanna Boggs. #6 Bonnie Bluetooth (1-1) was placed third following apparent victory last out for trainer Ollie Figgins III of Dance to Bristol fame and could atone as the solid choice here. #5 Sooey’s Princess (3-1) was solid third last out after graduating against maiden claimers two back and could forge mild upset in this spot for trainer Ronney Brown. #2 Princess Halo (4-1) has yet to hit the board against allowance foes since graduating against maiden special weight company and merits respect here for owner-trainer Lewis Craig, Jr. of Help a Brother 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 3
1-6-8-2
In this two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #1 Floating By (7-2) exits tougher and gets favorable rail draw for seasonal debut for trainer John Stahlin. #6 Dustwhirl Wonder (9-5) was solid second last out and again seeks his first win in eight tries this year for trainer Mike Jones Jr. #8 Mary’s Jewel (5-2) has been third three times in six previous outings and could continue pattern here. #2 Nationalist (10-1) gets favorable inside draw for trainer Crystal Pickett and should benefit from seasonal debut at Laurel last out.
RACE 4
7-6-5-1
In this intriguing, one-turn allowance dash for state-bred fillies and mares, #7 Dixie Yodeler (3-1) graduated in career debut last month and gets favorable outside draw for trainer Ollie Figgins III in first try against winners. #6 Denali d’Oro (12-1) draws alongside top choice and could forge genuine surprise here. #5 Slewing (4-1) was second two starts back at this level and gets chance to atone for latest outing. #1 Castle Lights (2-1) looms the tepid choice despite tricky rail draw.
RACE 5
5-4-11-8
In this one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-breds, #5 Secret Swirl (2-1) has finished second once and third once at the level for trainer Tim Grams and gets the nod for mild upset here. #4 Primetime Jet (8-5) was solid second in career debut and likely assumes favorite’s role here at post time for trainer Ronney Brown. #11 Entry Time (9-5) merits respect for owner-trainer-breeder John McKee if he draws in off the also eligible list. #8 Cats Diamond Boy (15-1) was second three starts back at the level and could complete several gimmicks at a generous price.
RACE 6
2-3-8-7
In the lone three-turn event on the card, #2 Midnight Shift (4-1) has been second twice and third once in six winless outings this year for trainer Anthony Farrior but could finally prevail in this spot. #3 Charging Lion (6-1) returns after two outings at Penn National for trainer Brandon Kulp and merits respect at a decent price here. #8 Martin Man (2-1) won two starts back against starter company and looms the likely favorite in this spot for trainer Wade Sanderson. #7 Alpha Queue (5-2) won last out against claimers and gives Farrior outside chance to run one-two here.
- 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
2-4-5-6
In the feature race on the card, the $75,000 Coin Collector Stakes for West Virginia-bred three-year-olds contesting the one-turn distance of 4 1/2-furlongs, #2 Coastal Mission (3-5) returns to the site of his career debut after four tries against open company at Laurel Park and looks poised to prevail as the shortest-priced favorite on the card for trainer Jeff Runco. #4 Math Man Marco (5-1) posted a sharp allowance tally last out and looms the only genuine threat to the choice for trainer Irving Velez. #5 Run to Daylight (9-2) won his first three starts over the strip last fall but is looking to end brief drought here for Runco. #6 Spirit of Windsor (20-1) graduated at first asking and makes stakes debut for owner-breeder-trainer Tim Collins and could complete several gimmicks at a very generous price.
RACE 8
1-8-3-4
In the Saturday finale, #1 Mountain Time (7-2) won two starts back in his local debut against maiden claiming foes and gets favorable rail draw for mild upset. #8 Flat Cat (5-2) graduating against maiden claimers last out for trainer Anthony Farrior and will likely be tepid favorite in the nightcap. #3 Plonder (6-1) makes local debut after numerous efforts at several ovals for trainer Norm Cash. #4 Holiday Avenue (9-2) was solid second last after graduating two back and could forge mild surprise here for owner-trainer Ronney Brown.
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1st.I kinda “Like Segal”but
am leery of “Prairie”.
2nd.”Shoofly Pie”will give it a good try
but forsooth “Bonnie Bluetooth”looks sharp.
3rd.I don’t buy”Floating By” but think
“Mary”s Jewel”will shine tonight.
4th.I’ll be doing with”Slewing”
but ain’t”Got Any”real faith because
“Castle Lights”just mights.
1st.”Segal didn’t Like”me….
“2nd.”Shoofly Pie” at 25-1 just missed completing my Exacta.
3rd.”Mary’s Jewel”shined bright tonight.
4th.”Slewing”stayed out and “Castle Lights” didn’t come in.
5th.”Nice But Naughty”may make me and Angelo haughty
but I “Siente El Amor”for Tabitha.
“Primetime Jet”may be over bet.
6th.”Martin Man”can but
the”Charging Lion”can eat him up.
7th.”Coastal Mission”can be a “Royal Pain”
to the chalk players,”Math Man Marco”adds up again.
8th.I’ll give a big thank if”Walk The Bank”
doesn’t make me walk the plank down”Holiday Avenue.
and the”Cat goes Flat.
5th. “Nice was Naughty”and stumbled at the start
and the overbet”…Jet”came in.
6th.”Martin was the Man” at $10.40
and “Charging Lion”did complete the Exacta
for a lousy $16.70-is somebody reading my stuff?
7th.I warned all you Chalk eaters.
“Math Man Marco”can and did-$10 even.
and the exacta paid a respectable $14.10
Saturday at the Races.
I hope you all made some money.
I just do it to be funny.
Vaya con Dios,amigos.