Charles Town picks and horses to watch: January 13, 2023

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, $14,552

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE

Race 2

CONTENDERS

1-2-3-5

ANALYSIS

We’ll shoot for a bit of an upset in this allowance contest for sophomore fillies. #1 Bella Mela (8-1) won nicely — by six lengths — in her debut going one turn. Her follow-up, in the WVBC, which was her first two-turn try, was a mess. She actually took a bit of a step forward in last, though she was thrashed again; this time, she ran against the boys and caught the talented Honeyquist, who’d been second in an open stake at Laurel, and next-out allowance winner Juba’s Notion. She can step up today with blinkers on and Marshall Mendez up… #2 Impressionism (2-1) would benefity if there’s a lively pace to tee up her late kick. She ran well when second last time… Trainer Javier Contreras could fill out the exacta with our top choice and #3 Best Virginia (6-1), who graduated nicely last out… #5 Xanthe (3-1) made a middle move in last versus similar before flattening out…

Race 3

3-5-4-1

Top choice #3 My Silver Lady (7-2) stopped abruptly at the quarter-pole in her debut, so the cutback to 4 1/2 furlongs today makes some sense. The Violence filly did show good early zip, and the connections indicate they’re not quite ready to part with this miss by shifting her to an easier spot but one where she still is not for sale… “Always the bridesmaid” #5 Talented Corinna (9-5) has been second three straight versus similar and five times in nine outings. Will tonight be the charm? If #4 Sizzling Hot (9-2) can find the form she flashed last year, before a lengthy layoff, she can win against this group. Recent tries are less encouraging, but it’s good to see Eclipse finalist Barbosa in the irons… The offspring of Holy Boss have been pretty good on dirt, not so much on turf, which perhaps gives hope for #1 Seap (4-1), who tries the main track for the first time. Half-bro Fiya was a multiple stakes winner on the lawn…

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