Charles Town picks and horses to watch: March 31, 2023

Charles Town Races has a nine-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, $7,924

Check out our other handicapping here!

Which Charles Town jockeys and trainers are hot right now?

RACE

Race 3

CONTENDERS

6-8-1-2

ANALYSIS

Six-year-old #1 Beverly Park (3-5) will make his 52nd start in this starter contest and goes in search of his 27th win. Last year he won 15 of 30 outings, and he’s got a win from four starts this year. He deserves the nod on top, but we can’t help but wonder if his globetrotting might catch up with him; this’ll be his fourth start since mid-February, and they’ve come, in succession, at Delta Downs, Parx, the Fairgrounds, and now CT. He’s been the beaten favorite in two of his last three… That all means we’ll try to beat him with the higher-priced Lynn Cash runner, #6 Pit Stop Man (4-1). He’d won a couple of starters at Laurel before finishing fifth against allowance foes in last, and he should be forwardly placed throughout. If the favorite falters, this guy likely wins… Maybe a puncher’s chance to #8 Qualifly (10-1)? He was off slowly, never asked, and didn’t run a step in last, but his figs at Mountaineer suggest he’s not too far off these on best, and you like to see the trainer protect him in this spot despite the off-color race in last. No reason he can’t have a bounceback effort today… #2 Cowboy At Heart (12-1) was a troubled seventh in last behind the ultra-speedy Storm Boarder and also needs to step forward…

Race 7

6-9-10-7

In this maiden contest, we’ll give the nod to first-time starter #6 Megeezer (9-2). The Divining Rod filly is out of WVBC Cavada winner My Sister Margaret, and two of this one’s sibs won at first asking. Trainer Javier Contreras wins with 15% of his first-time starters, and it appears to be a modest-enough group… #9 Our Great Notion (3-1) has been third in both of her starts to date with the group’s best speed figs… #10 Candy Loves Honey (12-1) had a disastrous trip in her first career outing but flashed a bit of talent. She broke slowly and was at the rear of the pack early, made a sharp, quick move rounding the turn into mid-flight but had to steady off heels. Still, she stuck with it OK and is eligible to take a big step forward… A few months off seems to have done some good for #7 Patti Blue Eyes (5-1), who led early and was right there into the final furlong in last…

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