Charles Town picks and analysis: July 18, 2026

RACE 1: 5-4-3-2

#5 Forever Hustlin arrives off a win and projects to be controlling speed; trainer-jock combo is 5-for-10… #4 Lona Lee hopes for a lively pace to set up her late kick… #3 Wynsome Cat did not run well last out when away awkwardly but has some pretty good tries on the resume…

RACE 2: 4-2-7-1

#4 Wildncrazyguy couldn’t get by the winner last time out in his first in almost four months but remained clear show dough in a useful return to action… #2 No Brake Needed will be running late but has had a pretty severe case of seconditis… #7 Policy Change had to work for it to graduate but managed to get it done by a half-length at 1-9 odds…

RACE 3: 6-4-7-3

#6 Just Do Believe throttled maidens at Laurel to graduate and ought to be the main speed here; interesting to see Farrior bring this one back to CT for first against winners… #4 Knock Knock is lightly raced enough to have some upside and has been third twice against similar… #7 Langleyswaterfall has been second against similar three straight, though finishing ahead of Knock Knock the last two…

RACE 4: 5-7-3-1

#5 Top Gun Tommy has been facing much better at Churchill and Oaklawn and looks like the speediest in here; first time in the Figgins barn… #7 Rainy Skies will be looking for a fast pace to close into in his third off the bench… Trainer Ronney Brown gave #3 Ray’s Blue Wagon a crack at allowance company in his first off the claim, but that didn’t go so well, so he now lands back here…

RACE 5: 7-1-3-2

#7 Nola Boss has been in the money four of six at the trip and has plenty of tries that would win here; likely to sit just off it from outer perch… #1 On the Come Up has plenty of early speed and has generally been forwardly placed going 4 1/2 furlongs… #3 Williston Warrior led throughout to win a three-life claimer last out, benefiting from the easier company after a couple of unsuccessful tries versus allowance foes; probably won’t get things quite so easy this time…

RACE 6: 3-2-6-7

#3 Excellent Timing had a useful return to action when a near-miss second last out after dueling with the 3-5 favorite; can move forward second off the bench… #2 Tico Grande hasn’t raced since December but did win four straight prior to the break; work tab looks strong, as that bullet move June 25 was a full two seconds faster than any other worker that morning… #6 Life Is Daily cuts back to one turn after the first poor outing (and first defeat) of his career; won prior one-turn try by five with an 80 Beyer fig…

RACE 7: 7-1-2-8

#7 Malibu Years enters in top form and should get a good trip from the outer draw… #1 Here’s a Quarter likely controls this one early, and that last may be better than it looks, as she dueled with a rival and put that one away but could not hold off later runners… #2 Skie’s Music was competitive when last seen at this level…

RACE 8: 5-4-7-3

#5 Ryan’s Run looks like a star in the making going one turn; now we’ll find out if he’s one going two; note that Bocachica lands here… #4 Irish Jubalee is likely to be a bit outfooted early in a race with plenty of front-end speed but could make up ground late… #7 Penguin’s Pride gives trainer Runco, who also has Ryan’s Run, a shot at a one-two finish; he stretched out to two turns nicely last out…

RACE 9: 10-7-8-2

#10 Abdicate stuck with it last out in his first in a couple of months and has better to run back to; outer draw a plus… #7 The Commack Kid finds a good spot after breaking his maiden at the $12,500 level… #8 Hamdoun finished ahead of top choice in latest…

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