The first stakes race of the year for the boys at Charles Town is shaping up to be a highly competitive renewal of the Confucius Say Stakes, with 10 confirmed runners and two also-eligibles vying for a $75,000 purse at the demanding seven-furlong trip.

Topping the field in both class and credentials is millionaire Muad’dib, who has won 17 of 30 starts and boasts over $1 million in earnings. The Jeff Runco trainee hasn’t claimed a stakes victory since 2022, but he remains a major threat if he returns to form. The gray gelding was a flat fourth in his seasonal debut last month, but improvement is expected. Arnaldo Bocachica is up.

His stablemate Social Chic is another top contender. A 12-time winner with over $440,000 banked, he was favored in last fall’s WVBC Onion Juice Stakes but could do no better than fourth. He’s been freshened since and returns for a redemption run with Angel Cruz aboard.

Trainer Javier Contreras sends out a powerful one-two punch of his own in Dorado and Jungle Beast. Dorado looked sharp winning an allowance on March 15, showing the kind of form that could carry him to his first stakes win. Wesley Ho has the mount. Jungle Beast, a hard-trying six-year-old with deep stakes experience, should be rolling late and can’t be overlooked.

No Change, who took the Onion Juice last fall, makes his 2025 debut here. Though he hasn’t raced since November, he’s a proven 7-furlong specialist with 11 wins at the distance, and could be dangerous if ready off the bench for Cynthia McKee.

Marshall Peanut is a sneaky contender as well. The lightly raced four-year-old has won his last two two-turn starts and could sit a nice stalking trip under A.J. Bocachica for owner-trainer Michael Atkins.

Little Roo Roo‘s recent form has tailed off, while the speedy Paymengold is capable if ready off the layoff.

Rocket Appeal and Big Joe B appear to be up against it in this deep group. Also-eligibles Nocashrefunds and Lord of Cork need help from scratches to draw in, with the latter in particular having a legit shot if he does make the field.

Bottom Line: This year’s Confucius Say brings together stakes veterans, rising talents, and seasoned grinders in a very evenly matched field. With familiar names and multiple angles to play, it’s a race that could go several ways — and should be a highlight of Saturday night under the lights at Charles Town. The Confucius Say is the eighth race on a nine-race program.