Charles Town picks and analysis: January 17, 2026

RACE 1

3-1-2

#3 Go Go Prancer (1-1) arrives in good form and looks to be the speediest of the bunch and should be able to employ that speed effectively with good gate rider Acosta up… He packed it in on the turn in latest, but veteran #1 Colt Rock (6-1) has run plenty of races that would put him in the mix with this group… #2 The Commish (4-1) ran pretty well when stretched out in latest and is 2-for-3 at this dash distance… In the table below each writeup, the Rating is not a speed figure but could be considered indicative of the horse’s level of accomplishment in the last year. Click on the plus sign next to each to see the horse’s trainer and jockey and their stats…

RACE 2

6-2-5

Top selection #6 Blameitonmyroots (8-5) arrives off a sharp maiden victory in which he was involved in the early action with a runner who faded to eighth while this one drew away to the win. He’s also the only one of our top three with a start in recent months, so while this is a step up in first against winners, the combination of the good-looking score and recency put him on top… #2 T Rex Union (1-1) takes the drop from allowance to claiming company in his first off the bench. Trainer Runco has a 34% strike rate off similar breaks, so it’s reasonable to think this one will fire, but we’re not inclined to take even money on a horse coming off an eight month vacation… #5 Abolitionist (12-1) had a couple of near-misses against similar but, like #2, arrives off a few months away…

RACE 3

8-7-5

In a pretty tepid group, let’s take a big swing with #8 Fernando’s Gold (15-1). The five-year-old Ballado’s Gold gelding switches into the Lori Bourne barn and (at long last) drops into maiden claiming ranks. He has enough early foot that, in a race light on speed, he ought to be able to work out a trip, and he had a couple of pretty good outings at the Mountain that would compete here… #7 Smooth Sailor (3-1) ran evenly last time when dropped down to this level and makes his second start of the form cycle here. He exits the same race as our second race top choice, Blameitonmyroots… #5 Buzz Bunny (2-1) was a bit slow into stride in that same race as #7 but mounted a strong late rally and actually galloped out in front of the winner…

RACE 4

6-1-3

Top choice #6 Golden Years (4-1) has run good races when against similarly talented rivals but has struggled against better, like last out when throttled by the talented Overnight Pow Wow and next-out Laurel two-other-than winner In My Memories. But two back against similar to these, she galloped. Looking for a bounceback effort here… Look for #1 Ran the Red (9-2) to be involved in the early action with her combination of early foot and the rail draw, but note that she finished well behind #6 two back… #3 Maci’s World (9-5) has that big Beyer fig last out when winning at MNR, but she’s failed to win the N1X multiple times there, which makes taking short odds on her here a dicey proposition…

RACE 5

6-10-2

So here’s the deal: #2 Deeds of Love (6-5) obviously wins this race if she can return in the form she had when last seen. She’d been running versus much better and at times competitively. But… that was back in 2024, as she missed all of last year, and while she was a $30,000 claim from that last start, she’s entered her for just $5,000. Maybe trainer Farrior is trying steal a march by getting her eligible for starters, or maybe he’s trying to get her sold and out of the barn. Either way, we have too many questions to endorse her on top with what will certainly be short odds… Her form’s a bit in-and-out, but #6 Itzayana (10-1) runs occasional good races, and a return to her two-back form would contend here at an alluring price… #10 Dame Catherine (10-1) arrives in good form, with her last-out win marking her fourth straight in-the-money finish…

RACE 6

1-6-7

OK, that last outing at MVR was putrid, and she is a filly facing off against the boys, but the first two efforts from #1 Kass N Kiki (12-1) were solid, and it may be that the six furlongs was too much to ask. She looks to be the speediest of all in here, and with Christian Hiraldo, who won on her previously, in the irons, look for her to come out running… #6 No Time to Boogie (4-1) is competitive here but has lost this race several times and is winless at the trip… Morning line fave #7 York Tavern (9-5) has generally better figs while racing at the Big A, but the 7yo is 1-for-26 and has been away nearly a year…

RACE 7

7-2-4

Speedy sort #7 Amalfi Sunset (5-2) beat similar last out going two turns and now cuts back to a one-turn distance at which she has won previously. She’s probably not the fastest early runner here — that’s likely #3 Determined Love, a winner twice this year going two furlongs — but she has good foot and the helpful outside draw… In a race where several may be vying for early supremacy, one who won’t but will try to pick up the pieces is #2 Kluvyameanandnasty (4-1)… #4 Coal Country (2-1) finished behind our top choice three back but arrives off a win…

RACE 8

8-5-2-11

The King barn has been winning at a 33% clip since the beginning of last year, and #8 Subject to Change (4-1) arrives off a win versus similar. His early speed should enable him to get a good spot on or near the lead… #5 Valhalla’s Palace (5-2) stuck with it after seeming to tire in latest… #2 Mr Sandman (7-2) could be the main speed in the group but makes his first start since September, first at CT, and first in the Joy barn…

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