Charles Town picks and analysis: October 10, 2026
The Biz
October 10, 2026
POST TIME: 7:00 p.m.
RACES ON CARD: 10
CARRYOVERS:
- Jackpot Pick 6, $46,308
- Pick 5, NONE
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RACE 1: TRIPLE CROWN NUTRITION
6-7-5-4
#6 On a Pedestal showed decent speed on debut and none at all last out in the McKee Memorial, but she did run the fastest final 2 ½ furlongs in the field, and that, plus her breeding, suggest this two-turn trip might move her up… Can’t criticize anything #7 Crystal Veil has done: she’s 2-for-2 against fillies and thrashed ‘em last out in the McKee… #5 Ghost Busta ran a good one to be second to our top choice in her debut and gets blinkers on today…
RACE 2: DASH FOR CASH
3-2-1-5
#1 Duncan Idaho is the best of these but draws the rail, which, for a horse who occasionally doesn’t break very well, could pose a challenge. Immediately to his outside is old rival #2 Honeyquist, and they’ve squared off with each other repeatedly the last couple of years, with Duncan Idaho getting the better of this one on almost every occasion – except in last year’s Dash for Cash, when a horrible break cost Duncan Idaho any shot in a race that went to #5 Time to Rock. This time around, how about a look at #3 Life Is Daily, who might get a stalk-and-pounce setup with the two inside horses having no choice but to gun for the lead…
RACE 3: MOSCARELLI MEMORIAL
7-1-8-3
The WVBC baby races often present surprises as these runners try two turns, generally for the first time, so let’s go price-hunting with #7 Hundley, who had a useful debut in the Mercer Memorial after breaking tardily and then rushing up outside; look for improvement here, and sire Army Mule’s average winning distance is 6.4 furlongs… #1 Jack Carson gets blinkers on, and though he looks, on paper, like the less talented Runco entrant, note that go-to rider Bocachica lands here… #8 Call Me Micky J. will be a strong favorite, but what’s fun about that? Note that his two wins both came at 4 ½ furlongs, but still, he’ll be tough on best…
RACE 4: WV LOTTERY
6-8-3-1
#6 At a Premium likely will be the shortest-priced favorite of the night off a 1-5 morning line; won her first four with consummate ease before running a game second in the G2 Charles Town Oaks, a race that has produced a next-out winner; she’s going to be a single on a bazillion tickets… #8 God’s Pride looks to be on the improve, and while no match for the top choice in a prior meeting, clearly has enough to get a piece of this… #3 Johanna was a clear second to the top choice in the Sylvia Bishop Memorial…
RACE 5: ROGER RAMEY DISTAFF
8-3-6-2
#8 Juba’s Parade ran second in this event two years ago and then won the My Sister Pearl, so the nine-furlong trip is not beyond her scope; the three that beat her last out all are trying the Cavada… #3 Malibu Years has suddenly figured out this racing thing at age five, with four wins and the five top Beyer figs of her career this season; if there’s a knock on her, it’s that her Sadie Hawkins try was not good, but chasing Overnight Pow Wow can do that to ya… #6 Skie’s Music keeps running pretty good races, and her breeding suggests nine furlongs isn’t too much to ask…
RACE 6: RUSSELL ROAD
3-10-8-7
#3 Ryan’s Run has throttled several of these previously while winning his first four starts easily and gave a decent account of himself when third in the Hilton Memorial, finishing ahead of odds-on choice Solitude Dude… #10 Tricks R for Juba starred on WVBC night last year, winning the Moscarelli impressively, and finally seems ready to deliver on that promise after two straight wins; outer two posts are 4-for-67 going seven furlongs this year, though… #8 Coach Siggy bounced back from a dismal Leavitt to win two straight…
RACE 7: 1/ST BET
8-10-4-3
#8 Maggie’s Girl was a good second to Thelastsay last out in the Autumn in her first start in over four months; she’s drawn outside most of the speed and should be tighter as she tries to defend her crown… #10 Navy Band should be running at the end and has been in the money all 13 of her 4 ½-furlong starts… #4 Thelastsay took down the Autumn last out and has won her last three one-turn tries at CT; looks for similar trip as latest…
RACE 8: WVBC CAVADA
1-3-8-7
It hasn’t been a great season for defending Cavada champ #1 Petty Perfect – she finished out of the triple in her first four starts of the year – but trainer Kristy Petty appears to have her right back on point for her title defense, and she sure should catch a lively pace to run at, what with ultra-fast Mama Marge, quick-early no-hoper Mitoleisdynamite, and even Shewon’ttalktome; look for rider Santiago to reserve her off the pace and look to pounce late… Strong fave #3 Overnight Pow Wow heads off into the sunset after this contest (or at least the breeding shed), and after an in-and-out 2025 campaign, she’s been excellent this year with five wins in seven starts; she’s beaten her main rivals here already this year and won two stakes, so you can’t ignore her, but she might get overbet – she’s been odds-on in 16 consecutive starts – and the pace scenario could complicate things for her, as she’ll be among the speed horses… #8 Zip Start won the WV Lottery (3yo) last year and appears to be rounding back into best form after some off-color outings; Bocachica stays aboard… Trainer Anthony Farrior sends sophomore #7 Edy’s Flame here, ducking At a Premium in the 3yo race, and adds Mitoleisdynamite to soften up the fave; might get first run if Overnight Pow Wow tires…
RACE 9: SAM HUFF CLASSIC
4-2-3-10
Hard to see anyone beating defending champ #4 Teachintherelease, who enters with a 2-for-2 mark this year and figures to be controlling speed; has easily bested major Jubawithatwist (twice) and Spotafreeone this year… #2 Spotafreeone won last year’s WVBC Russell Road (for 3yo) and trainer Runco liked him enough to try him next in the City of Laurel; beat allowance foes two back and, after being a bit outfooted early, finished up nicely in the Gall… #3 Xcellent Start gets the added ground he wants after having finished third in this event last year and then second in the nine-furlong Funkhouser; best recent outing was in the June 27 Deputed Testamony when a decent fourth after being in the starter’s grasp when the gates opened and despite a dawdling early pace that several compromised his chances, but he’ll need a pace… #10 Jubawithatwist prepped for this by beating the best local dash horse, Duncan Idaho, in a 4 ½-furlong allowance; was a near-miss second in this event two years ago but missed it altogether last year; must navigate tricky outside post…
RACE 10: ONION JUICE
2-10-7-9
#2 Catch the Humor should catch a lively pace to run into; has been a stewards’ scratch twice since his last start, which is a bit of a concern, but zippy 10/2 work a full second faster than any other at the distance suggests he’s ready… #10 Tico Grande has plenty of early foot and should be involved from the jump, is 2-for-2 around two turns… #7 Dorado looks for a stalk-and-pounce trip…
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