Edison Hatter — Twitter: @Edison_1999_
Most Likely Winner: Race 8- (7) BE BE BOP
Race 1: (3) ORIENTATED has been racing against much tougher company at Laurel Park. Enters the Anthony Farrior barn, which is hitting at 26% with horses in their first start for the stable. (5) MAKE US SMILE is an 8-start maiden, but has picked up some checks, finishing second or third five times out of the eight starts. (8) NOT TELLING has been showing early speed lately and figures to do so again here. Could hold on for a piece.
Picks: 3-5-8
Race 2: (4) RIP RAP RILEY appears to be the speed of the speed and has the best last-out Beyer by a significant number of points. (2) SET’EM UP JOE has a second and a fourth in two recent outings at this level. Watch the tote board, but this one could offer significant value in exotics if allowed to go off at or above the 8-1 morning line. (8) RELENTLESS STRIKE has been knocking on the door against similar company lately but draws the outside post in this field. Will have to break sharp from the gate, take back, or risk being wide and losing ground into the first turn.
Picks: 4-2-8
Race 3: (5) BANNER MAN has made steady improvement in each of his three lifetime starts so far. Should make the early lead against this bunch and should enter the winner’s circle for the first time in his career, albeit at a short price. (1) MOJO’S LOUIE CAT is coming off of a year plus layoff and makes his first start for Timothy Grams. Had hit the board in 5-of-11 lifetime efforts, including a nice second place finish in his
only try at the distance. (2) BECOMING SMITTY tries MSW company again, but has been steadily earning minor placings and could pick up a piece again here.
Picks: 5-1-2
Race 4: (9) LADY MACHO is coming off of two eye-popping victories, although admittedly the waters get much deeper today. Nonetheless, she is coming off of a career-best Beyer and a repeat of that effort should put her in the winner’s circle. (2) COMPLETE SURPRISE figures to set the early fractions as she did in her last outing, where she was best of the rest but no match for the winner that day. (4) KATALIMA will be a monster price, but the horse is stretching out to 8.5 furlongs for the first time and is coming off a 6-day layoff. Clearly the trainer wants this spot for a reason and we’ll see if she outperforms her odds here. The last time this trainer brought a horse back on this short of rest, the horse won at 15-1, so take note of this one.
Picks: 9-2-4
Race 5: (9) ELLIES LIL CASTLE could be an interesting price play in here. She was third on debut, but broke second-last in the field before rallying. A better trip today and improvement in her second-career start could result in this filly ending up in front in the end. (1) TIZ EVAN’S HONEY makes her career-debut in here. She shows a steady work tab and gets the services of leading jockey Arnaldo Bocachica. Keep an eye on the tote board to see what the public thinks of her chances. (2) MISS MORGANTOWN had a good first effort for the Ronny Brown barn last time out. It was also her first try at the distance, which she seemed to appreciate. She is capable of taking another step forward today.
Picks: 9-1-2
Race 6: (1) RYE STREET finally broke the maiden last time out and did it in impressive fashion with Arnaldo Bocachica in the saddle for the first time. Arnaldo rides back, which bodes well for her chances here.(5) SO RED THE ROSE finished a respectable third against tougher last time out, after picking up a win at this level two back. However, a quick pace up front set the race up perfectly for her two starts ago, she might not get it as easy this time around. (6) WAKES UP HAPPY has only won once from 15 starts, but has hit the board in seven other attempts, including several times in recent starts at this level. Always seems to be in it at the end.
Picks: 1-5-6
Race 7: (8) C’ERA UNA VOLTA is starting for a new trainer today and is coming off of a lengthy half-year layoff, but if he is ready to fire today, he could get to the lead early and never look back. Alternatively, look to (4) THAT’S HISTORY, who was unprepared at the break last time and never fully recovered. A clean break this time should put him right in the mix. Trainer Kevin Patterson is one of the best with sprinters, currently hitting at a 36% clip. (9) BEARCAT KITTEN has been a staple at Charles Town for several years now and he has a lifetime mark of 60-12-11-11. Hasn’t hit the board in 8 starts for the current connections, but has been getting better each time. Maybe today will be the day he picks up a piece?
Picks: 8-4-9
Race 8: (7) BE BE BOP comes in off of two straight wins for a trainer who hits at 31% with horses coming off a win last time out. A fair bit of early speed in here, but leading rider Arnaldo Bocachica should place this one in a good spot early on. (6) BLACK CANDY has been spectacular for Kevin Patterson, posting a record of 7-2-3-1 since being claimed. Had a third-place finish last time he tried allowance company and is coming off of a win in the claiming ranks. (3) SHOWTIME CAT broke the maiden last time out and has been steadily improving. Faces winners for the first time today, but could catch a piece.
Picks: 7-6-3
Race 9: (1) SHORT CAKE’S MAN just missed last time out against this level of competition. He is definitely the one to beat and jockey Christian Hiraldo seems to get along with him well- they’ve finished first and second in their two career races together. (2) JEN’S ORPHAN figures to set the early pace on the stretch out from 4.5 furlong races and could hold on to pick up a piece. (5) CASTLE ONE has historically been a good late runner that likes to pass tired horses in the stretch to pick up the pieces. Has 10-lifetime third-place finishes and 5 at this distance. He may well add to those totals tonight.
Picks: 1-2-5
