Charles Town picks and analysis: April 25, 2026

RACE 1: 5-6-1-3

That sure was an impressive performance last out from #5 Irish Jubalee, who pressed the pace until the far turn and then sprinted away from his rivals despite solid fractions; a repeat should be too much for these… Despite being well beaten, that was an improved performance last out for #6 Williston Warrior, who didn’t finish much behind favorite Springhawk and gets Lasix on for the first time… #1 Go for Bourbon made short work of his rivals, including older runners, last out in his first try on dirt, but he had it all his own way, which may not be the case here in his first try against winners…

RACE 2: 7-5-2-4

#7 Mustwinagenda ran decently going three turns two back and last out ran on a bit too late in a race that’s produced a next-out winner… #5 Speedy Sammy is probably the most likely winner, but this is the kind of race where looking around a bit is probably advisable, especially since this one is 5-2… #2 Mr Garet’s Joy broke a beat slow and showed little after that in his debut in a race that’s produced a next out winner; gets the 10-pound bug Raspaldo in the irons, and a more alert break sure would help…

RACE 3: 6-1-4-2

#6 Cold as Hell froze his rivals out for the second straight race last out, surviving an objection in the process; has plenty of early speed but doesn’t need the front and could be sitting in a good spot early… #1 Excellent Timing bumped repeatedly with a rival in the early stages last out and faded from the scene, but prior outings were just fine; should show speed from the rail… #4 Tricks R for Juba ran huge in winning the Moscarelli Memorial last out, but that was back in October; work tab feels like it’s targeted at a two-turn race, so we’ll wait and see on him for the top spot…

RACE 4: 1-6-3-8

Despite being ignored at the windows and going off at 23-1, #1 Call Sign ran a big one on debut, vying inside the winner throughout before coming up just a neck short in a race that’s produced a next-out winner; three of four to run back from that heat ran at Laurel next out… Though he has a longer-than-you’d-like resume for a maiden, #6 Policy Change has made only three starts on dirt, one of which was a very good second in a maiden auction race at Churchill in November; best might do it… #3 Skip Forward was a solid but well-beaten second in his local bow, and his figs match up nicely with these…

RACE 5: 3-2-6-4

#3 Zip Start has been a stakes winner at two and three and now makes her 4-year-old debut; she won a pair of stakes last year, including the WV Lottery Breeders’ Classic before a poor outing in the Safely Kept at Laurel but has been working speedily towards her return and appears to have worked with Orange Canyon, a 3-year-old who won her first start of the year Apr. 16… #2 Shewonttalktome was an inch not as good as a couple of these last year, but trainer Ron Sigler has a 3.01 ROI bringing horses back off similar layoffs… #6 Petty Perfect is probably the most talented of this group, and if she delivers her best, she’ll win here; destroyed the field in the Cavada last fall with a patient JD Acosta ride, and he’ll look to reprise that here…

RACE 6: 6-8-7-1

#6 Starship Refund ran too well to lose in latest when second best by a nose after a lengthy duel as she and the winner sprinting away from the rest; in a race light on speed, she might be in the catbird seat… #8 Close Up galloped at 1-5 to (finally) graduate two back and then outran 72-1 odds to be fourth against allowance foes; maybe the lightbulb’s gone on… #7 Entitled Defense thrashed maidens last out and makes her third start off the bench…

RACE 7: 4-5-9-3

#4 Mitote hasn’t done a thing wrong to date, winning both his starts; five of nine to run back from his debut finished first or second in their next start, and last out, he re-rallied and was pulling away late, while the rest were 15 lengths in the rearview mirror; probably gets a good trip perched off Holiday Cash… #5 Hell Ofa Hillbilly flashed talent in his first two starts, winning at first asking and then beaten two in the Maryland Million Nursery, but will need a bounceback effort here; like to see rider Perez in for the mount… #9 Gimmethatsugar has some talent but doesn’t win much: just twice in 18 starts with 10 (!) other in-the-money finishes…

RACE 8: It’s Binn Too Long Stakes

2-4-1-7

#2 God’s Pride caught the eye in a first-out win, dueling with the 3-2 favorite before drawing away to win easily, and that rival came back to graduate next out… #4 Edy’s Flame stuck with it last out against older in the Fancy Buckles two weeks ago and finds a better spot here… #1 Karina Anna makes her third start off the bench and has run well in pretty much every start; she’s in a bit of a tricky spot, drawn at the rail and coming off a two-turn race, so she’ll need her running shoes on to avoid getting buried behind rivals…

RACE 9: 1-10-5-3

What a useful return to action that was for #1 Workislife, who made his first start off an 18-month break and was defeated by just two lengths at long odds following a wide trip; should be able to save ground here and have a pace to run at… #10 Gabriel Seven will be hunting the lead early and is drawn outside others with early foot; well-beaten when in latest but Masterwork’s turned into a different horse than these with a pair of allowance wins since… #5 Macron has been second or third three straight against similar…

LATEST NEWS

• 
  Chip Honcho will skip Derby, await Preakness
• 
  REPLAY: Saturday’s Off to the Races Radio
• 
  Charles Town picks and analysis: April 25, 2026
• 
  Laurel Park picks and ponderings: April 25, 2026
• 
  Off to the Races Radio lineup for April 25
• 
  What’s the Preakness IP deal mean for future?