Charles Town picks and analysis: July 25, 2026

RACE 1: 7-6-5-2

#7 Kelsey Hill Girl gave a couple of reasonable accounts of herself versus better at Laurel and may offer better value than #6 Whinny Miss Lynny, who’s been the beaten fave two straight at the level…

RACE 2: 2-6-1-3

#2 Rocket Appeal won the battle with #1 Juba’s Notion but lost the war to #6 Logstradamus last out; this time he’s drawn outside Juba’s Notion rather than inside and may be able to press that rival while saving enough to stave off Logstradamus… Juba’s Notion has the been the favorite five straight and reunites with rider Peltroche… Logstradamus could easily get the same trip he won with last time tonight…

RACE 3: Sylvia Bishop Memorial Stakes

#2 At a Premium appears to have scared off just about everyone and will face just three rivals here; with three wins by a combined 33 lengths, it’s hard to get past her here… #3 Johanna figures to be running at the end and has won three straight, all around two turns; if stablemate #1 Orange Canyon can soften up the favorite (a very big if), this is the one who might benefit…

RACE 4: 4-2-6-7

#4 Time to Get It gave an improved account of himself last out, and his tactical speed gets him the nod in a race in which there’s not much of it… #2 Tornado Warning rallied from well back into third last out, but that may have been flattered by the race shape as the top four at the end were the last four early; figures to get bet, but we’re concerned by the lack of early foot… #6 I Hop Alot may find the added ground to his liking…

RACE 5: 1-8-9-6

In a race where most of these look pretty similar and have pretty similar stalking styles, wondering if Santaella might just take the initiative with inside horse #1 Ready to Rocknroll, who makes her first start off the Hess claim; best efforts contend… #8 Close Up arrives off an easy, front-running score against three-life company and has won her last two at the nickel level… #9 Authentic Appeal is 3-for-3 at CT, all around two turns…

RACE 6: 1-7-3-6

#1 Far From a Star faced likely better at Gulfstream in prior outings, and last out in his first here he never had a chance to run because of traffic ahead following a pretty strong worktab; should appreciate easier company… #7 Martin’s Mo Tom rallied willingly in latest despite being on the wrong lead and galloped out ahead of the winner… #3 This Is the Life drops to the bottom for the first time…

RACE 7: 6-7-1-3

#6 Lil Miss Honkytonk just missed against $15k claimers two back and then ran evenly against allowance foes in a pretty tough group in which four of her rivals had been first or second their prior start… #7 Diakonissa certainly has better to run back to and that latest, in which she gained a bit on the top runners, may be a sign she’s headed back in the right direction… #1 Over the Bull’s form is a bit in-and-out, but her better efforts contend…

RACE 8: 5-2-8-3

#5 Ray of Sunshine held everyone at bay in his last local outing in the Confucius Say, should appreciate cutting back a half-furlong, and may only get token pace pressure once again… #2 Wall Art looks to be on the improve; curious to see how they’ll play it with the bug rider, the inside draw, and stretching out from one turn, all of which argues for sending, while the danger of hooking up with the favorite argues for looking for a stalk-press type of trip… #8 Spotafreeone lost position badly rounding the far turn in the Confucius Say but did rally a bit late…

RACE 9: 4-6-1-3

#4 Kara M S ran pretty well in latest going six furlongs at CNL and might find this two-turn, 6 1/2-furlong trip very much to her liking… #6 Jane N Margo showed good speed before tiring late against special weight foes last out and now drops into the claiming ranks for trainer Joy (23% dropping from special weight to maiden claiming)… #1 Poney Island had a good local try four back but has three intervening turf tries with declining success…

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