Edison Hatter — Twitter: @Edison_1999_
Most Likely Winner: Race 8- (4) BEST TO BE ME
Race 1: Despite the small field, this is a pretty wide open race with a whole bunch of underachievers. Let’s take a chance with (4) BROTHER SKYE on top. In a field where everyone else hasn’t won in a long time, he is the exception, having just broken his maiden last time out. Obviously he has to take on winners for the first time, but at 6-1 he’s worth a try. (2) RAGTIME COWBOY JOE has failed to break and finished a disappointing fourth in his last two starts at short prices. He has experience over this track and solid speed figures relative to the others in the race, but he’s still a tough one to pick to win at a short price. (3) CHARGE AHEAD makes his Charles Town debut after racing in Maryland and New York so far in his career. He’s faced tougher in those races, but hasn’t shown a whole lot. Again, a tough one to take at a short price in my opinion.
Picks: 4-2-3
Race 2: (1) PRINCE VALESKI wasn’t the best at this distance in his Charles Town debut two starts back, but he was much better last time out over a shorter trip just two weeks ago. It is a promising sign to see him back on the short rest and hopefully he’ll take the distance better on his second time seeing the three-turn 8.5 furlong race configuration. (6) YES MEANS NO is best of the rest and had a nice effort over this trip two starts ago. He ended up drifting a little two far off the pace midrace and had too much to do late. Nonetheless, he came with a nice run to lose by less than four lengths and he’s in with a chance tonight if he can stay a little closer to the pace throughout. (7) BANK ON CANDY was very good last time out, albeit over the shorter 7 furlong distance. He seems to prefer that distance over tonight’s 8.5 furlong test, but he is lightly raced and liable to improve tonight off of his last effort. Worth using in exotics.
Picks: 1-6-7
Race 3: (3) AARON’S TAP is a talented horse that is stakes placed and absolutely loves this distance. He stretched out to two turns last time out without much success, but he turns back to his favorite 4.5 furlong distance tonight and he figures to get a nice trip: relaxed off the early pace before coming with a strong run late. (5) SAGEBRUSH is coming off of a career best effort that if he can repeat here, will certainly earn him the win. However, he is coming off of a layoff and is liable to bounce off the big effort last time out. Additionally, despite the small field, he could risk being in the three-path around the turn if a pace battle develops up front. (2) HYPOTHESIS finally gets the chance to turn back to his preferred distance as well. He’s a stakes winner with a 9-5-3-1 record at the distance. Definitely, a must use in all wagers.
Picks: 3-5-2
Race 4: (1) NATIVE COURAGE faded last time out after having to track the early speed. He clearly prefers things when he can dictate them on the front end, which he should be able to do tonight. He remains an 0-for-13 maiden, but could be worth a try at a bit of a price tonight. (2) SUSPIROS is the one to beat on paper on the basis of his strong outing at Mahoning Valley last month. Nonetheless, he is 0-for-7 and has only hit the board twice, hardly the kind of horse you want to take at a short price. (6) AHMAS hasn’t shown much in his career so far, but has been facing much tougher. He’s as good a pick as any to pick up the pieces here.
Picks: 1-2-6
Race 5: (1) KATIE’S BAYOU tends to perform well when she can get the lead early. She should be able to do that against this bunch tonight and is worth a try on top as the likely third choice in the wagering. (2) MACKENZIE’S STAR deserves a look based on the gutsy win last time out. She historically has performed very well when teaming up with Arnaldo Bocachica, which she does again tonight. (4) SAINTE THERESE is best of the rest in what appears to be a formful race. It is worth noting though that SAINTE THERESE is an inconsistent horse. However, if she’s on her game tonight, she’s certainly in the conversation.
Picks: 1-2-4
Race 6: (3) GREY INVASION is certainly the one to beat on the basis of a very strong effort last time out when he just missed by a head. He figures to be forwardly placed again tonight and could break the maiden tonight with a repeat of his last effort. (2) POLITICAL DECISION made a nice improvement in his second career start last time out and could factor nicely here if he takes another step forward. Definitely worth a try at an attractive 10-1 morning line quote. (4) ANCHOR UP is an interesting first time starter that shows a good work tab in preparation for the debut for a trainer hitting at 18% with first timers.
Picks: 3-2-4
Race 7: (1) CAPTAIN SAM looks to be the one to beat based on a really strong effort last time out. However, there is a lot of pace in this race and she could be weakened by a pace battle early. (5) THREE BOPS is one of the few here that has won in the past from off the pace at this short 4.5 furlong distance. She may be worth a look as there is a lot of early pace here. (7) TEL AVIV can’t be ignored on the first start for the red hot Kevin Patterson barn, but the post draw could be problematic as she may have a wide trip tonight.
Picks: 1-5-7
Race 8: (4) BEST TO BE ME is the sole speed in this sprint and is the best bet of the night. To keep it short and simple: if she breaks well, she is going straight to the lead and not looking back. (1) STYLISH PAINT is coming off of a good win and is by far the best of the rest. Unfortunately, she probably won’t issue much of a treat to the top choice. (7) GINGER IN DISGUISE has a strong record at the distance and is worth a try at 15-1 as it appears anyone here could pick up third.
Picks: 4-1-7
