Charles Town picks and analysis: June 20, 2026

RACE 1

Morning line fave #5 Silver Sonde showed good speed on debut but completely stopped in the final furlong, getting a Beyer fig of 0… #4 Burning Spirit exits the same race and finished the best of the four coming from there to here; if the morning line is about right, surely this makes more sense as a betting matter… #2 No Direction did not run in that race, perhaps an endorsement, and best efforts would win here…

RACE 2

Considering his relative lack of early foot — others here are faster — #6 Bold Boomer, the even-money fave, is drawn well outside.. #4 Charlienite graduated in latest and probably is as fast early as any of these, if not faster, but none of seven to run back has won… If it heats up early, #2 Bold Rock could benefit: he’s won three of eight at the trip…

RACE 3

Not much 3-turn experience in this contest, which adds another challenge to a pretty evenly matched group… Wondering if jockey Chilo, aboard #2 Youthful Energy, will be aggressive and try to establish the front in a race without confirmed need-the-lead types; ran second to runaway winner Indy Magic two back at the trip with those tactics… Trainer Farrior wins at a 31% clip going sprint to route at CT, and his runner, #5 My Brothers Angel, rides a 3-race win streak…

RACE 4

Two ultra-speedy fillies square off in this starter contest… #1 Julees Legacy has won four straight and is 3-for-3 at Charles Town, all in front-running fashion, while #6 Delightful Dixie also has won four straight and is 5-for-6 at CT, but unlike her rival, she sometimes comes from off it; she probably isn’t quite fast enough to out run the 1-horse early, but rider Almodovar can’t let that rival open up too much… Interesting chess match upcoming, and the other two appear in deep waters…

RACE 5

Most natural talent in this contest? Could be #8 Gunner Glacken, a Gunnevera gelding who won at Churchill in a maiden auction race at first asking with 76 Beyer fig, but two subsequent tries were less promising, and he’s been away since Feb. 2025… It’s hard to see either #2 or #3 winning in this spot — it figures a little bit too tough for them — but you could make a case for most of the rest… #7 The Exodus Twist led a ways before settling for thid, behind Wall Art and runner-up #1 Go Go Jelly Roll, whose late-running style makes the one-turn dash a challenge… None of the major contenders has won at the trip…

RACE 6

Five of these exit the Original Gold, though all were third or worse… The highest finisher was #5 Shewonttalktome, who pressed winner Overnight Pow Wow before tiring late to be third… #2 Zip Start was the shortest odds of these in the Original Gold, going off at 4-1, but ran poorly for the second straight outing, and while top local pilot Bocachica rode her that day, here he jumps ship to Runco’s other runner, #1 The Sky Is Falling, a deep closer who may not get a favorable pace scenario… #3 Here’s a Quarter likely controls the early pace but gets tested for class against these; Murdock barn wins in bunches…

RACE 7

In his first with new trainer Michael Sandoval, #1 K. Bee is a logical contender here — if ready to fire off a long layoff… Anthony Farrior sends out a pair in morning line fave #2 Coach Siggy, who led late last out in his first two-turn try before settling for second, and speedy #8 Mayorofgreencounty, an allowance winner in latest… No idea what to make of #3 Mitote: the Runco trainee looked good in winning his first two, then was an OK third in the slop, but last time out he was eased home last as the favorite; best wins, but…

RACE 8

Bottom-level maidens square off going 4 1/2 furlongs, and #3 Sable is even-money after finishing second and third at the $12,500 level… We’d be inclined to look around at least a little… First-timer #9 Chasing Bonito hasn’t shown much in the mornings, but both half-siblings ran second on debut, and sire Name Changer is getting some winners with few foals… #4 Unconditionally showed little in her debut after a rough beginning, but maybe we’ll give her another shot… A bunch of these have recorded at least one Beyer fig faster than Sable has…

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