Charles Town picks and horses to watch: July 29

Charles Town Races has an eight-race card on tap for this evening. Post time for the opener is 7:00 p.m., and we’ve got Charles Town picks.

Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $12,001

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE

Race 7

CONTENDERS

5-7-6-2

ANALYSIS

We’re gonna take a swing here in this $10,000 N2L claimer. #5 Divining Dancer (15-1) graduated locally at the $12,500 level and then tried allowance company three times. Two of those were on the slop, and the third was against a rugged group in which this one was 57-1 while coming off a seven-week break. He drops into the sort of company his ledger says he needs, and on his second off the bench, he can move forward… Heavy favorite #5 Pistol P (7-5) has the best figs of the group, already owns four wins, and projects to be the controlling speed. So why not just eat the chalk? This horse is 0-for-9 at the seven-furlong trip, some pretty unsightly, and while he’s still the most likely winner, the value proposition of very short odds on a horse with that record just isn’t there… #6 Playboy Roy (5-2) has competed with similar in two prior starts, shifts into the Reynolds barn here; she’s 17% first off the claim… #2 Political Decision (10-1) looked to be a bit outfooted sprinting last time and ought to appreciate a bit more ground today…

Race 8

8-10-7-9

Top choice #8 One Night Mike (5-2) had a credible season bow last time, running evenly against similar to be third. He’s since been gelded and gets blinkers on, and this lightly raced sort has the right to improve… #10 Kvellion (12-1) got loose in the post parade of his debut outing and then ran like it; up close early, he faded when the serious running started in the final three eighths. Look for improvement today… Trainer Javier Contreras has our top choice and also #7 Personable (5-1). This one has been training forwardly for his debut, and Contreras wins with 14% of his debut maiden special weight runners… #9 Juba Bound (7-2) will try two turns for the first time off decent efforts going short…

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