Charles Town picks and analysis: January 28, 2023

  • userTed Black
  • dateJanuary 28, 2023

Charles Town has an eight-race Saturday card. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Good luck!

Carryovers: Jackpot Pick 6, $33,387

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1

2-5-3-4

In the opening race on the final live card of January at Charles Town, a two-turn maiden special weight event for state-bred older runners, #2 Nice But Naughty (9-2) was solid third in seasonal debut on opening night here and looks primed for mild upset here for trainer Angelo Jackson. #5 River Malbumoonrvf (4-5) has been second twice and third twice in first four career outings and makes seasonal debut as likely odds-on choice here for trainer Jeff Runco. #3 Don’tcalltooearly (5-1) was fourth in seasonal debut after ending previous campaign with a pair of runner-up efforts for trainer Michael Atkins and certainly merits respect here. #4 Irish Flight (8-1) was solid second in career debut last spring but will have to atone for latest two outings.

RACE 2

6-5-3-4

In this one-turn dash for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares to cap the early daily double, #6 Mi Yayis (7-2) kicked off the campaign with sharp local score and seeks second straight for trainer Ronney Brown. #5 Unlock (5-2) exits tough starter optional event and looks to benefit from class drop as the likely solid favorite here. #3 K K Can (5-1) was solid second in seasonal debut and could certainly benefit from that effort in this spot. #4 Ride On Beauty (8-1) prevailed in her local debut two months ago and could forge mild surprise here.

RACE 3

5-1-7-2

In this rare, three-turn maiden special weight event for older runners, #5 Taraashoq (3-5) has been second in each of two local tries against similar for trainer Miguel Ramos Agosto and should finally graduate in this spot at a very short price. #1 Shannonrun (10-1) was fifth in seasonal and local debut and gets favorable rail draw to give Agosto genuine chance at one-two finish here. #7 Adara (9-2) gets chance to atone for local debut last out for trainer Stacey Viands of Parisian Diva fame. #2 Shakin It Big Time (12-1) has been fourth in each of last two outings and should benefit from recent effort and inside draw here.

RACE 4

2-3-5-1

In this two-turn event for $5,000 claiming fillies and mares, #2 Jack’s Lilly (2-1) returns from Penn National for seasonal debut for trainer Anthony Farrior and looms the solid choice at post time. #3 Practically There (9-2) was solid second in seasonal debut for trainer Ernest Haynes for Lake Ponchatrain fame and could forge mild upset here. #5 Imagine Victory (5-2) returns from Laurel Park for seasonal debut for trainer Crystal Pickett and certainly merits respect in this spot. #1 Vicious Velma makes seasonal and local debut but gets the coveted rail here with an upset chance.

RACE 5

8-6-3-2

In this one-turn maiden special weight dash for state-bred older, #8 Officer Stone (5-1) makes career debut off series of solid works for trainer Ollie Figgins III of Dance to Bristol fame and gets the nod for mild upset courtesy of favorable outside draw. #6 My Phoenix (9-2) has been second in each of last two starts for owner-breeder-trainer John McKee and certainly merits respect in this spot. #3 Golden Arrow (3-1) makes career debut off several sharp gate drills for trainer Jeff Runco and looms the tepid choice here. #2 In the Limelight (7-2) makes eighth attempt at diploma and seeks to atone for dull effort last out for trainer Vernon Greaves.

RACE 6

2-3-1-4

In this rare, three-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #2 Excalibur (9-2) makes local debut off solid second-place effort at Laurel Park last out for trainer Kevin Dove, Jr. and gets the nod for mild upset. #3 Hanalai’s Houdini (8-5) makes local and seasonal debut. #1 Southside Warrior (8-1) makes seasonal debut off solid score last out for trainer Jack Hurley and certainly merits respect with coveted rail draw here. #4 Tappin for Glory (5-1) was decent fourth in seasonal debut last out for trainer Kevin Joy and should benefit from that effort.

RACE 7

8-6-7-10

In this one-turn allowance/optional $15,000 claiming dash for fillies and mares, #8 Manarola (3-1) makes seasonal debut for trainer Javier Contreras after facing stakes company several times and gets the nod in contentious affair. #6 Determined Love (7-2) makes seasonal and local debut off three straight victories at Fort Erie for owner-trainer Nick Guy Mileni, Jr. and certainly merits respect here. #7 Deemed Essential (5-1) also makes seasonal debut for trainer Anthony Farrior after concluding previous campaign with a win and could forge mild upset in this spot. #10 Willow Moon (8-1) also makes seasonal debut for trainer Joan Reynolds and seeks to atone for latest after winning two back.

RACE 8

1-4-8-9

In the Saturday night finale, a two-turn event for $5,000 claimers, #1 Kitten’s Man (5-1) arrives off a victory at Penn National in his seasonal debut and gets favorable inside draw for upset chance and repeat bid. #4 Better Boogie (9-2) was solid second in seasonal debut for owner-trainer Lela Hanagan and certainly merits respect in this spot. #8 Sugar Daddy (7-2) was decent third in seasonal debut off the class drop and looms the tepid post time choice here for trainer Anthony Farrior. #9 Happy Champ (4-1) makes seasonal debut off seven-month respite for trainer Ronney Brown and might need a start or two before attaining peak form.

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