Edison Hatter — Twitter: @Edison_1999_
Most Likely Winner: Race 5- (3) CHOCO ROCO
Race 1: (5) FIFTY FIFTY shows a strong work tab coming into the race and is capable of winning first time out tonight. He should like the distance as he appears to have lots of early speed based on the workout tab. Keep an eye on the tote board in this race to see how the public plays all the first time starters here. (4) KUKULKAN is an 0-for-39 maiden, but he is only 0-for-2 so far at Charles Town and has finished second in both races. While he obviously holds a massive experience edge over this field and could very well have finally found the field to break the maiden against, it’s tough to pick a horse like him on top. Definitely a must use underneath though. (6) TWISTED SUNSET had all sorts of issues at Aqueduct in his career debut. The track was sloppy and it was his first career start; he deserves another chance tonight to prove what he’s got.
Picks: 5-4-6
Race 2: (7) BINN GOODE looks to be the early speed in a race that really doesn’t look to have much early pace. He will have to be hustled out of the gate to clear the field before the first turn, but once he does, he should be able to settle nicely on the front end and dictate things from there. (1) RIGHTEOUS MAN will be the likely favorite and rightly so on the basis of his superior speed figures compared to this field. However, he is a deep closer and it doesn’t look like there will be a whole lot of pace for him to chase. While his class and speed figure edge may just be enough to get him the win, I’ll pass on him at a short price and as the likely favorite. (3) KATMAN QUICK is best of the rest and has a very strong record at this distance. He is also in very sharp form at the moment, having hit the board in his last four races.
Picks: 7-1-3
Race 3: There’s no need to get creative here. (2) IRISH KNOCKOUT and (5) GOT ANY are clearly the two to beat and the odds will reflect that. Slight advantage here given to IRISH KNOCKOUT based on two factors: she is lighter raced (0-for-8 maiden vs. 0-for-18 maiden) and she’s quicker early and draws inside of her main rival. (4) MAGICIANS DIVA is best of the rest. She had some major traffic issues last time out in the later stages of the race, but prior to the issues, she was within range of the top two choices here. A cleaner trip will do her a world of good.
Picks: 2-5-4
Race 4: (1) DARK TRICKS come off of a huge, career-best effort last time out. There’s a lot of early speed in the race, but she looks to be the quickest of them early. If she doesn’t bounce off the last effort and can repeat it, she has a big chance to win here. Worth a try at 6-1 if you can get the morning line odds. (2) CASTLE FIVE has been in solid form at the moment, especially if you’re willing to forgive the last out effort. Regular rider Arnaldo Bocachica is back in the irons and he won’t have this gelding positioned too far off the lead early. (5) SOUL MACHEN has an exceptional record at the distance and may be worth a try in exotics. He didn’t appear to care for the sloppy track last time out for the new connections and deserves another chance tonight.
Picks: 1-2-5
Race 5: (3) CHOCO ROCO has a speed figure advantage over the rest of this field, but hasn’t shown a whole lot recently, finishing a distant fifth in back-to-back tries. I expect he probably will win here and I won’t go against him on top, but at 3-5 on the morning line, he certainly won’t provide any value. (1) TWENTYTWENTY was very good last time out for the new barn and should have every chance to take another step forward here tonight. He should appreciate the turnback in distance to 7 furlongs. (2) CATFISH ended up very wide around the turn in his career debut. On the stretch out and in his second career start, let’s give him another chance at a big price tonight.
Picks: 3-1-2
Race 6: (2) NOT A TRICK hasn’t seen the winner’s circle in a little while, but that could change tonight. He runs his best races from the front though, and he does look to be the early controlling speed here. He’ll need to take a bit of a step forward from his first start off the claim last time, but if he can, he should get the job done here. (3) DAN THE MAN CAN is in sharp form at the moment, having won two in a row against similar. However, both of those scores coincided with him getting an easy lead early, which will not be the case for him tonight. He’s still definitely a serious player in this race, however. (1) GRAND FIBER has been okay at this level. He is generally within range of the leaders early, but lacks the late kick to pose a serious threat late. Nonetheless, he has stayed on lately to at least pick up a minor share.
Picks: 2-3-1
Race 7: (5) BOOM BOOM GONE was indeed gone in her last start, winning by 10 lengths over 8.5 furlongs. She crushed that field in a lifetime best speed figure by a large margin. She tries tougher tonight, could bounce off the huge effort last time out, and cut backs in distance. However, she probably won’t go off the favorite and is definitely a must use off the most recent effort. (2) LADY VALENTINA is coming off of a solid second against slightly tougher last time out at Penn National. She has a lot of early speed and should be able to flaunt it tonight on the stretch out. Certainly in with a major chance in her Charles Town debut. (6) COOL MO is in sharp form at the moment, but does take on tougher tonight. She has a strong record at the distance, though, and may be worth a try in exotics.
Picks: 5-2-6
Race 8: (5) WINNING SCHOLAR had to work hard for the lead last time out and just didn’t have enough late to hold off (6) CHEASAPEAKE CHARLIE. These two are the top two choices in here again, but I give the nod to WINNING SCHOLAR tonight as he will hopefully get a more relaxed journey early on and be able to hold off the challengers late. Beyond these top two, there really isn’t a whole lot in this race. (8) RIGHTEOUS RENEGADE is probably best of the rest and could pick up a piece, but the outside post draw is certainly not ideal for this runner. The all button may be the best choice in the third position in trifecta wagers.
Picks: 5-6-8
