This week’s racing action at Charles Town promises some compelling storylines, with a mix of rising local stars and consistent veterans competing across Thursday and Friday.

Saturday brings a compelling version of the Coin Collector Stakes for three-year-olds; look for a preview Friday.

In the meantime, here are some key contenders to watch Thursday and Friday:

Thursday, May 8 – Race 5: Connect the Dots
Connect the Dots (8-1), a 3-year-old West Virginia-bred colt by Connect, enters a state-bred allowance event going 7 furlongs. Trained by Anthony Farrior and owned by Jill Daniel, he’s lightly raced with just five starts, having broken his maiden earlier this year.

Though his record stands at just one win and one place, there’s more beneath the surface. He’s a half-brother to the prolific Dr. Feelgood, who racked up 13 wins from 15 starts, and multiple stakes winner Great Spirit.

His last outing saw him compromised at the start when bumped, and while regular jockey Arnaldo Bocachica opts for another runner this time, replacement rider Angel Cruz has had good success at Charles Town. This will be just his second try around two turns.

Thursday, May 8 – Race 7: Time to Rock
Later on the card, Time to Rock (7-2) returns in a 4½-furlong $28,800 allowance. This 4-year-old gelding by Uncle Lino is another homebred for Jill Daniel and is trained by Stacey Viands.

He’s already shown more talent than his dam, Animation, who managed just one win in 13 tries. Time to Rock, by contrast, has won four of his nine starts and was a game second last time behind undefeated Moonlit Notion, despite a very poor break.

He was a winner two back, that effort following a lengthy nine-month layoff, and he now makes his third start back—a pattern often associated with peak performance. He’s drawn attention for his consistency and determination, and a clean break could see him return to the winner’s circle.

Friday, May 9 – Race 8: Charge Nurse
The Friday night feature is highlighted by Charge Nurse (3-1) in a starter allowance sprint going 6½ furlongs. This durable 6-year-old chestnut mare by Alpha has been a revelation since joining trainer Kent Knudsen’s barn in November.

Owned by Neal M. Allread and Dan Langlais, she boasts a record of seven wins and five places from 20 starts, with over $127,000 in earnings. She arrives in top form, riding a three-race winning streak and looking to make it four straight and six in eight outings.

Her dam, Clean Jean, was a minor stakes winner who earned nearly $275,000, and that class has clearly carried forward. With three wins and two additional in-the-money finishes in five starts under Knudsen, Charge Nurse looms as a formidable presence.