Edison Hatter — Twitter: @Edison_1999_
Most Likely Winner: Race 4- (3) BOASTER
Race 1: (2) BYEBYE BYEBYE has hit the board in all four of his local starts and picked up his first win over the Charles Town oval last time out. Expect him to be in mid-pack early before coming with a late run. (4) ASTRO RIDER is a classy gelding that will soon eclipse the $100,000 in career earnings mark. Since dropping to this level of claimers, he has been on a roll, hitting the board in 4 of his last 5. He too will be coming from off the pace. (5) G MAN figures to be the lone early speed in here and may be able to hold on for a piece in the absence of any early pace pressure.
Picks: 2-4-5
Race 2: (7) PRIME LIME has set the pace in her last two outings before fading in the stretch. On the turnback to 4.5 furlongs tonight, she still figures to be part of the pace mix and should have the stamina for this distance, at which she has hit the board in 5-of-6 lifetime tries. (5) BAYOU BOUGIE has a strong winning effort at this distance two starts ago against allowance company. Last time out, she had an awkward go of it at the start and was wide throughout. Could be right in the mix tonight with a better start. (4) GANDHI’S CASTLE has had two solid efforts for trainer Kevin Patterson since the claim and looks well spotted again here. She should be close to the pace and have every chance in the stretch if good enough, but she did disappoint last time out at 2-5.
Picks: 7-5-4
Race 3: (6) MOLLY BOLTS has ran two good races at Charles Town so far in her time over the local surface. Last time, she was wide into the stretch and finished just a length behind the winner at this level and distance. Although there are some competitive newcomers to this field tonight, her local experience edge will help. (4) BRILLANT PATINA has speed figures that tower over this field, but she has been racing on synthetic and turf as of late. She showed very little in her only start so far on dirt, but given her class edge, it still won’t be shocking to see her do well here. (5) POND HOCKEY is coming out of some tough races at Laurel and enters the barn of Jesus Cruz, who is hitting at 28% with horses on debut for the stable. She could definitely be right in the mix if she takes well to the Charles Town track.
Picks: 6-4-5
Race 4: (3) BOASTER is coming off a layoff, but if he is sharp and ready to go, this is a perfect spot for him. There is loads of early speed in this race and he is essentially the only closer in the field. His most recent start is a prime example- he was six lengths off the early speed before rolling through the stretch to win comfortably by two. A similar effort today will most certainly put him in the winner’s circle. (6) FANCY CONCHO has early speed and likes to flaunt it, but he can also stalk the pace. If he can do that today, it will certainly help his chances as he won’t have to knock heads early with (4) HYPOTHESIS. The latter will likely prove to be the speed of the speed, but will pay a steep price for the top spot early on. Still, he probably has enough of a class edge on the balance of the field to hold on for third.
Picks: 3-6-4
Race 5: (9) U S S COSTLY had a good first start at Charles Town, just getting caught before the wire. With experience over the trip now, plus an outside post draw, he could very well best this bunch tonight. (1) BI BI CARPE was eased up last time out, but is coming off a solid effort against claimers two starts ago and takes another drop in claiming tag tonight. Draws the rail and should be within range of the early pace. (6) ENGLISH HONOR comes off a year and a half layoff and tries Charles Town and dirt for the first time after showing nothing on turf. However, he has shown a good work tab recently and is only 6-1 on the morning line. Keep an eye on the tote board to see what the public thinks of this one, but he could be sneaky value in exotics.
Picks: 9-1-6
Race 6: (6) CHEESE LOUISE is taking a drop in class and has early speed. She will likely be either on the lead or just off of it and should have enough of a class edge to kick away at the end. However, do be cautious that she will likely be an extremely short price and she is still only 1-for-14 lifetime so don’t accept too short of a price. (3) CELIA’S PRIDE lost the rider at the start last time out and overall she’s a bit of an inconsistent horse, but if she shows up tonight she should be competitive against this bunch. She should be close to the early pace and she gets Wesley Ho back in the saddle, who guided her to her first and only career victory so far. (7) CHARITABLE MISS is 1-for-51 lifetime, but has hit the board several times recently against similar. While she’s maybe not a win candidate, she definitely should be used in the minor spots in exotics.
Picks: 6-3-7
Race 7: (6) NEVER COMPROMISE is stretching out to three-turns for the first time, but the lightly raced four year-old should be up for the task. With competitive speed figures and top jockey Arnaldo Bocachica aboard, he should be right in the mix. (1) SPUNMAN is also a Jeff Runco trainee and is coming off of an impressive maiden-breaking score, but he also tries three-turns for the first time tonight. If he’s up for the task, a Jeff Runco exacta is a serious possibility. (4) DOCTOR MCCOY is the other logical in this race and he too tries three-turns for the first time. Expect him to be close to the early pace.
Picks: 6-1-4
Race 8: (3) ROCKET ROAD is coming off the highest last-out speed figure and figures to be a serious contender in here. He has been competitive against similar and should be just off the pace and within range late if good enough. (9) DAYSTRIKE is coming out of tougher races at Laurel and has enough early speed to be in the fray. If he takes to the Charles Town track, this one is in with a serious chance. (5) STORMY LEO ran an okay race at the level and distance last time out despite being hounded on the front end throughout. We’ll see if maybe there is a tactic change today and he tries to stalk the pace instead to get a little better trip.
Picks: 3-9-5
