Edison Hatter — Twitter: @Edison_1999_
Most Likely Winner: Race 3- (8) HE’S ON THE LINE
Race 1: (2) PEPPA STAR will likely be the early pace setter as she was in the stakes race last time out; she tired last time through the stretch, but maybe she can steal a little breather on the front here and have a little left late. (1) PRIVATELY has crossed the line first in each of her three career starts, but was disqualified from purse money in her career debut. She returns tonight off of a year and a half layoff and would dominate this field with a repeat of her last effort, but her trainer is only hitting at 7% off this long of a layoff. (4) TALENT EXPECTED comes out of the same stakes race as the top selection and disappointed as the favorite that day after attending the early pace; could be a change in tactics here as she may try to come from a little off the pace this time out.
Picks: 2-1-4
Race 2: (1) DOESN’T MAKE SENSE was okay last time out in his Charles Town debut and he will look to build off of that momentum here tonight as the likely early pacesetter on the stretch out. (9) BLOKE will likely be the favorite here on the big class drop and should be respected, but he has shown little against tougher competition and will have to work out a trip from the wide draw tonight- not exactly the type of short-priced favorite I would back. (3) STEPHANOPOULOS remains a maiden, but has picked up plenty of minor shares in the past, including two strong seconds in a row against similar company- expect him to be in the mix here again.
Picks: 1-9-3
Race 3: (8) HE’S ON THE LINE broke his maiden impressively on debut and then tried allowance company in his last two, which proved to be a little too tough for his liking. He finds a much softer spot here against a field of underachievers and should get the job done here with ease. (2) ISLAND CADGER had his best outing in a long time last time out and will look to build on that momentum here. (4) WEAVING YOU BEHIND takes on winners for the first time here, but he did win last time out, which is much more than the most of the rest of this field can say.
Picks: 8-2-4
Race 4: The connections must think a lot of (2) ALLEN CAN DO IT to jump the maiden right into stakes company last time out off of a long layoff; he’s back to maiden company tonight and should get the job done here second time off the bench. (3) MODERN DAY ROMANCE has a solid enough looking work tab in preparation for the debut and could be live at 10-1 on the morning line. (9) CHARITABLY GIFTED is a serious contender here, but does have to contend with the wide draw, which may lead to him losing some ground around the turn.
Picks: 2-3-9
Race 5: (7) ZAINO BOYZ has loads of early speed and makes his Charles Town debut after racing so far in South Florida; he starts for a trainer hitting at 50% with first timers for the barn. (2) BOURBON STREET is the other logical horse in this field as he had a rough trip last time out, yet still finished a solid second- he’ll look to build on that effort here. (3) WIZARD OF ODDS can be a very inconsistent animal, but at his best, he could definitely spice up exotics wagers at a big number.
Picks: 7-2-3
Race 6: (5) CRUZ IN THE CASTLE was disappointing last time out as the 1-5 favorite, but now starts for a new barn against similar company and will look to turn it around here; 8-1 on the morning line seems exceedingly generous here. (2) ANGELS CASTLE was an impressive maiden winner last time out, but she does have to take on winners here for the first time and 2-1 just seems too short of a price to take here. (1) TIZ THE REASON was a really strong winner on debut and then has subsequently disappointed in her last two outings; she now gets a barn change and some class relief.
Picks: 5-2-1
Race 7: (4) FREEDOM RIDER has just missed against similar company in his last two- he’ll look to make up for those two second place finishes with a win here. (5) MINISTRY OF MAGIC has come rolling late with strong finishes in his last two; he’ll look to do the same here to pick up the pieces. (1) NOID comes off of a strong maiden win last time out and has been nicely improving with each and every start- he’ll look to keep it rolling here.
Picks: 4-5-1
Race 8: (4) BELLA GIANNA gets major class relief here and should beat this bunch, but she’s been really disappointing in her last two races; don’t take too short of a price on her here. (3) LA DEQUESA has nice early speed and could hold on to pick up a minor share here at a big price. (8) STOP TALKING should come with a nice late run as always to pick up the pieces here.
Picks: 4-3-8
