Charles Town picks and analysis: March 21, 2026

RACE 1: 2-3-4

Top choice #2 Bella Italia ran pretty well in her debut, pressing the pace for the most of the way before fading in late stages; the Russell barn has a good record off the bench and is 3-for-4 at the meet, and a repeat of the debut wins here… #3 Amendment was keen early last out and opened up a long lead before tiring late, but she still was well clear of the rest; winner Ineedyoubabe repeated at LRL on 3/20… #4 Starship Polaris makes her first start in the Joy barn after toiling at Gulfstream…

RACE 2: 5-2-3

Probably a fool’s errand to try to beat the favorite in here, but that’s never stopped us before… Sharp debut win for #5 Cappucino Crunch, who was bet down to 2-5 and ran like it in winning by a half-dozen lengths; note that that came against open maidens and not state-restricted, and the runner-up graduated next-out… #2 Priority One has dominated her rivals in two starts to date by a combined total of more than 15 lengths; this race, with a couple who have some talent, looks to be her sternest test yet… The ‘other’ Farrior trainee, #3 Edy’s Flame, won last year’s WVBC Triple Crown Nutrition and placed in two other stakes and arrives with a bullet work readying for her season bow…

RACE 3: 4-6-7

With speedsters like Marilyn Moonroe and Oscor signed on, the pace might be lively, and that could play into the hands (hooves?) of the formful #4 Kiss Cam; she’s getting a class test in this contest as she leaves the claiming ranks but arrives on a two-race heater since claimed by Tim Shanley and should be running at the end; the price should be right… #6 Oscor, like Kiss Cam, arrives on a two-race win streak but unlike her, should be involved from the jump; drawn outside her main speed rival, she may be able to work out a good trip if not caught in a speed duel… #7 Magic Moon Spell ran a pair of good ones in her two most recent, easily breaking her maiden and then overcoming a rough beginning to be second behind the 3-5 fave in her first try against winners, but coming off the bench and going three turns, we’ll take a bit of a wait-and-see approach…

RACE 4: 5-3-1

Sharp score in latest for #5 Noble Ruling, who broke well and managed to seal off the 1-2 favorite before spurting away in the lane; drawn outside again, he’s a threat to double up… #3 Hell Ofa Hillbilly has faced better at Laurel, and his best, including a good fourth in the Maryland Million Nursery, would make him tough in this contest, in which he adds Lasix, but we’re inclined to try to beat him on top in his first since December… #1 Coach Siggy galloped at second asking back in late November, returns for his season bow…

RACE 5: 6-7-3

#6 Roark has been stuck at the two-life condition for a while, so caution is advised odds-wise; ought to be able to work out a good trip not too far off the pace, and Contreras’ go-to rider remains with this one… #7 Jungle Boogie finally graduated last out in his 11th try after four prior defeats as the favorite; maybe the lightbulb’s gone on… #3 Blameitonmyroots ran well in breaking his maiden three back, but his two tries against winners leave something to be desired…

RACE 6: 4-1-5

Top choice #4 Palmary hasn’t had the best racing luck of late: two back, he chased Delightful Dixie, who since has won an allowance and a starter, and last out he broke inwards and then had to steady behind rivals before taking up the chase; might have a chance to use his speed to best advantage against these… Not completely sold on #1 Rainbowsnsunshine, who has outrun colossal odds in three recent allowance tries but whose prior form was not good… #5 Cajun Expectation has a recent win (against $4,000 claimers) and didn’t run badly last out when second at this level…

RACE 7: 2-3-6

Since breaking his maiden, #2 Digital Security has run credibly against better at Laurel in a race that’s produced a pair of next-out winners and then had a troubled trip when third behind a couple of these who ran one-two all the way around; here, though, he should be looking at a fast and contested pace, and he figures to be the main one running late… I could be convinced to put #3 I’m Not Catty on top; that was an ultra-impressive maiden win, in which he dueled early through fast fractions and then drew away smartly to win… #6 Bahama Village had it all his own way in a good-looking score last out and figures to be part of the early action…

RACE 8: 1-5-3

There’s only one horse with much early zip in this contest, and she’s breaking from the rail with good gate rider JD Acosta up, so look for #1 Lovely Odds to go right to the front and take ’em as far as she can; she owns three wins at the trip… If #1 falters, and possibly even if she doesn’t, #5 Still Grumpy could have something to say about the outcome; she arrives off a win, switches back into the Jones barn, and should be running late… Let’s give #3 Look Ahead a chance to run back to her earlier form…

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