Charles Town Races hosts three nights of competitive spring racing this weekend, featuring a mix of seasoned local standouts, promising 3-year-olds, and returning runners from extended layoffs. Highlighting the cards from May 1 through May 3 are several horses worth watching, representing top regional stables and familiar silks.

Below is a preview of the weekend’s most notable entrants, presented in race order by date.

Thursday, May 1

In Race 3, 3-year-old filly Serenade Me makes her career debut for owner Timothy Freitag and trainer Ryan Gillespie. Bred in Maryland by Marathon Farms, Inc., and sired by Paynter, she’s out of Quiet Inferno, making her a half-sister to two stakes winners including multiple stakes victor Circle P. With jockey Jackie Davis aboard, she’ll try 4 1/2 furlongs in a maiden special weight at 15-1 on the morning line. While she may be a work in progress, her pedigree makes her debut one to watch.

Later on the card in Race 7, Hammer returns to Charles Town after taking a swing at the Henry S. Clark Stakes on turf at Laurel Park, where he went off at over 100-1. Owned by David Porto and trained by Kristy Gazzier, the 4-year-old gelding by Kantharos has been a force at this oval, finishing in the money in eight of nine local starts and entering on a two-race win streak here. With jockey Marshall Mendez in the irons, Hammer draws the rail for this 6 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claiming race and figures to use his tactical speed early.

Friday, May 2

Race 7 marks the seasonal return of Dadsnumbronehelpr, a homebred for KP Racing Stables LLC trained by Kristy Petty. This 3-year-old gelding by Juba out of Romantic Cork won second time out as a juvenile and then held his own against tough company when fifth in the Hickory Tree Stakes at Colonial Downs. Full-brother Jubawithatwist and half-brother Teachintherelease are both multiple stakes winners, and Dadsnumbronehelpr will look to follow in their footsteps under jockey Gustavo Larrosa. He’s entered in a 6 1/2-furlong state-bred allowance and returns off an extended layoff dating back to August 3.

Saturday, May 3

In Race 6, Omo Dada makes a much-anticipated comeback for owner and breeder Germania Farms, Inc. The 5-year-old gelding by Golden Lad was last seen nearly two years ago racing in Maryland and now enters the barn of top local trainer Jeff Runco. He flashed significant promise early in his career, including a 12-length maiden win, but couldn’t sustain that success against winners. With Arnaldo Bocachica riding, and now gelded, he’ll aim to rediscover that early form in a first-level allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Wrapping up the weekend spotlight in Race 7, Lona Lee also makes her 2025 debut for KP Racing Stables LLC and trainer Kristy Petty. The 4-year-old filly by Juba improved steadily through her 2024 campaign, closing out the season with two wins and two seconds in her final five races. She’s been lightly worked this year with just three published drills, but Petty has had success off similar layoffs. Jockey Antonio Lopez takes the call in this 7-furlong West Virginia-bred allowance where Lona Lee looks to continue her upward trajectory.