Charles Town: What we’re watching this weekend
Charles Town Races will host four days of live racing this week with eight-race cards each night. In addition to the betting opportunities, there are several engaging story lines.
Here’s what we’ll be watching this weekend at Charles Town:
NOTABLE DEBUT Wednesday’s third race, a $26,500 maiden special for state-bred fillies, is highlighted by the debut of Overnight Pow Wow, a daughter of Fiber Sonde who is a full-sister to $900,000 earner Muad’dib – who won his season debut last week – and multiple graded winner Late Night Pow Wow. Bred by the late John McKee and trained and owned by his widow Cynthia, Overnight Pow Wow has fired a couple of bullet works in preparation for her bow and will leave from the rail under jockey Reshawn Latchman.
NOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS The sales folks will tell you it’s “sire power” that drives the market. They probably had in mind something like Friday’s fifth, a maiden special for older runners going 6 ½ furlongs. The race features Lawyer Up Riley, a son of top national sire Into Mischief; Pilote Comete, who’s by Munnings, who stands for $75,000; Arrow of Time, by $150,000 sire Not This Time; and Dr Jack Flyer, who’s by up and coming young sire Maximus Mischief.
AND DON’T FORGET ABOUT… Honour’s Choice, who’s in that same race. He’s a son of Mawthooq (editor’s note: Who?!?). He’s notable less for who he’s by than where he’s from: a Montana-bred for owner-breeder Harold Fullerton. He’s trained by Marion Cuttino.
FALLING OR RISING? The Sky Is Falling won two stakes at two and two more by late August of her three-year-old season. But the now-five-year-old Cupid mare has just one win in eight starts since winning the ’22 Sadie Hawkins. Trained by Jeff Runco for David Raim, she’ll look to right the ship in Saturday’s fifth, a $27,400 allowance. Regular pilot Arnaldo Bocachica will ride.
PASTA TIME Papa Linguine impressed in his first two starts, winning both by open lengths and even getting nominated to the Triple Crown. Last time out, though, the sophomore tried older horses, a route distance (1 1/16 miles), and a muddy racing strip, all for the first time. The result was a disappointment, as he backed up readily in the last quarter-mile. He’ll drop back to his age group and to two turns – 6 ½ furlongs – in Saturday’s $28,400 allowance feature. He’s trained by Jamey Johnson for Raymond J. Funkhouser III, and the comebacking J. D. Acosta will ride.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!
LATEST NEWS
- Executive Order looks to bounce back in Maryland Juvenile
- Ms Notion looks for second win in Maryland Juvenile Filly
- “Gun-shy” horsemen sound off on Laurel Park track surface
- Post Time heads strong Midlantic Cigar Mile day group
- Colonial Downs awarded 44 live days for 2025
- MJC: Ken Brown retiring as track superintendent