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Charles Town presents an eight-race evening card with favorable racing conditions under partly cloudy skies. Current temperature sits at 43°F with fair conditions and winds SSE at 5 mph, with a forecast high of 59°F creating ideal racing weather.
Track Conditions and Surface Analysis
The main track shows good conditions with no turf racing scheduled. Charles Town’s dirt surface historically favors early speed, particularly in the shorter sprint distances that dominate tonight’s card. Track bias data reveals that in 4.5-furlong races, pace-setters win at an impressive 56% rate with outside posts showing advantage.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1 – 4.5F Starter Optional Claiming ($22,700)
Post Time: 7:00 PM
Key Contenders:
Mean Jakey (#1) enters as the morning line favorite with tactical speed under Juan Belisario. The Keith Brown trainee gets favorable inside positioning and weight relief to 113 pounds, making him the logical choice in this restricted field.
Imperial King (#7) brings consistency from the Manolo Mangual barn and should be pressing early with Sunday Diaz Jr. aboard. His experience at this level keeps him competitive.
Pace Analysis: This short sprint will favor the early speed types, with Mean Jakey and Imperial King likely setting the early fractions.
Selection: Mean Jakey to win.
Race 2 – 4.5F Claiming ($19,300)
Post Time: 7:30 PM
Key Contenders:
Fiber Strong (#3) shows as the morning line choice for Jeff Runco, who leads all trainers in added wins with 17.36. Arnaldo Bocachica takes the mount, and Bocachica leads all jockeys with 163 wins and a 34.10% strike rate.
El Lucerito (#5) brings class from the Marshall Campbell barn and should be forwardly placed under Jose Montano.
Secondary Choices:
Case Ace (#6) represents the Anthony Rideoutt II stable and could benefit from the reduced field size.
Pace Analysis: The pace should be honest with multiple speed types engaged early.
Selection: Fiber Strong with the Runco/Bocachica combination.
Race 3 – 4.5F Maiden Claiming WV-Bred ($19,100)
Post Time: 7:57 PM
Key Contenders:
Vissim (#4) enters for David Walters with Jeiron Barbosa aboard. Walters ranks among the top trainers in purse percentage earned, and this filly shows promise in her recent workouts.
Tina’s Back (#3) brings experience for Anthony Lucas and should be competitive at this level.
Hold Dem (#5) is noted on the scratch list but if she runs, Joseph Pyke’s trainee could be live.
Analysis: West Virginia-bred maiden races often produce competitive fields where breeding advantages can emerge.
Selection: Vissim for the Walters/Barbosa team.
Race 4 – 6.5F Claiming ($20,400)
Post Time: 8:25 PM
Key Contenders:
Robbielikeshim (#1) gets the nod from Racing Dudes at 4-1 odds for the Jeff Runco stable. This colt shows tactical speed and the distance suits his running style.
Love Is Wicked (#4) represents the Dewayne Johnson barn and brings competitive speed figures to this level.
Full Proof (#3) for Christine Clagett shows consistent form and could benefit from the pace scenario.
Pace Analysis: The stretch-out to 6.5 furlongs may favor horses with late tactical speed.
Selection: Robbielikeshim for the hot Runco barn.
Race 5 – 7F Claiming ($18,200)
Post Time: 8:53 PM
Key Contenders:
Il Marchesse (#8) draws expert attention at 5-2 morning line odds for Anthony Farrior, who leads all trainers with 102 wins this meet. Jeiron Barbosa rides, and this combination shows 25.93% strike rate.
Align (#4) represents Kevin Joy’s barn and shows competitive form at this level.
No Time to Boogie (#2) could benefit from the longer distance for Michael Atkins.
Longshot Consideration:
Big Dilemma (#6) for the Ronney Brown stable (84 wins this meet) could provide value at longer odds.
Selection: Il Marchesse with the leading trainer.
Race 6 – 6.5F Starter Optional Claiming ($22,700)
Post Time: 9:21 PM
Key Contenders:
Absolute Grit (#5) gets the expert nod for Anthony Farrior with Jeiron Barbosa aboard. This veteran gelding brings proven class to this restricted field.
Billy Jack (#3) represents Kent Knudsen’s barn and shows tactical speed for this distance.
It’s Sizzling Time (#2) is noted for scratches but brings experience if he runs.
Analysis: The starter optional claiming condition creates a competitive field where proven class often prevails.
Selection: Absolute Grit for the leading barn.
Race 7 – 4.5F Allowance WV-Bred Fillies ($31,700)
West Virginia-bred fillies and mares three years old and upward which have never won two races compete in this allowance contest with significant weight breaks available for recent form.
Field Analysis and Contenders
Top Choice: Funding the Kids (#2) – 5/2 ML
This three-year-old filly by Uncle Lino represents the powerful David Walters stable with leading jockey Jeiron Barbosa aboard. Her record of 1-3-3 from four starts translates to an impressive 25% win rate and 75% in-the-money percentage.
Recent form shows remarkable consistency with finishes of 6/8, 2/6, and 2/8 in her last three starts, all at this exact 4.5-furlong distance at Charles Town. She’s classified as a “Fast Leader” which gives her a significant tactical advantage in this sprint distance. The Walters-Barbosa combination has proven highly effective this meet, with Barbosa maintaining a 25.93% win percentage.
Carries 118 pounds, receiving a 4-pound weight allowance due to recent form conditions.
Secondary Choice: Medallion of Ash (#3) – 12/1 ML
This four-year-old mare for trainer Leslie Cromer shows a solid 1-1-2 record from four career starts, matching Funding the Kids’ 25% win rate. Her 50% show percentage indicates consistency, and recent efforts of 4/8, 4/8, 3/8 show steady improvement.
Rated as a “Mid Pack Leader,” she possesses tactical speed that could prove effective if the early pace becomes contested. J.D. Acosta takes the mount at 120 pounds.
Longshot Consideration: Juba B Wild (#1) – 15/1 ML
Despite the long odds, this three-year-old filly by Juba shows extensive experience with 15 career starts. Her 1-4-5 record reflects a 33% show percentage, indicating she often hits the board.
Recent form shows struggles with finishes of 2/6, 7/7, and 5/8, but she gets significant weight relief at 113 pounds and draws the rail position. Moises Santaella rides for trainer Ronald Sigler.
Others in the Field:
Candy Wide (#4) represents trainer W. Robert Bailes and draws consideration from expert handicappers as a show bet. Lil Knockout (#6) gets expert backing for place money from the Linda Dollinger-Stehr barn.
Cry Tough (#8) represents the hot Jeff Runco stable with Arnaldo Bocachica aboard, making her dangerous despite limited information.
Note: Classy Bay (#5) appears on the scratch list and may not participate.
Pace Analysis
With Funding the Kids rated as a “Fast Leader” and Medallion of Ash as a “Mid Pack Leader,” the early pace setup favors speed. In 4.5-furlong races at Charles Town, pace-setters historically win at a 56% rate, giving significant advantage to early speed types.
The presence of multiple tactical speed horses could create honest early fractions, potentially setting up a pace duel that could benefit closers like Juba B Wild, though her “Slowest Closer” rating limits her appeal.
Key Angles
Trainer Advantage: David Walters maintains strong statistics this meet and pairs effectively with Jeiron Barbosa. Jeff Runco leads trainers in added wins with 17.36, making Cry Tough worth consideration despite limited recent information.
Distance Specialist: All top contenders show specific experience at this 4.5-furlong distance at Charles Town, eliminating distance concerns.
Weight Relief: Several horses receive allowances, with Juba B Wild getting the most significant break at 113 pounds.
Track Bias: Charles Town’s main track shows good conditions with historical bias favoring early speed in sprint races.
Wagering Strategy
Win Bet: Funding the Kids offers solid value at 5/2 odds given her consistent form and favorable connections.
Place Protection: Consider Medallion of Ash for place value given her improving form and longer odds.
Exacta Play: The 2-3 exacta (Funding the Kids over Medallion of Ash) provides reasonable value.
Longshot Saver: Small win bet on Juba B Wild at 15/1 for her experience and significant weight relief.
Final Selection
Win: Funding the Kids (#2)
Place: Medallion of Ash (#3)
Show: Candy Wide (#4)
The combination of proven form at the distance, leading connections, and favorable pace scenario makes Funding the Kids the logical choice in this competitive allowance field for West Virginia-bred fillies.
Race 8 – 6.5F Claiming Fillies/Mares ($15,800)
Post Time: 10:17 PM
Key Contenders:
Fainor’s Filets (#2) receives expert backing at 2-1 morning line for Kevin Joy with Jose Montano riding. This mare shows consistent form and the distance suits her style.
Controlled Temper (#3) brings experience for Ronney Brown and should be forwardly placed.
Stormy Irish Lass (#6) represents Annette Eubanks and could provide value in the finale.
Selection: Fainor’s Filets to close the card.
Jockey Notes
Arnaldo Bocachica leads all riders with 163 wins and an impressive 34.10% strike rate while earning 24.55% of all purse money. His mounts deserve serious consideration, particularly in Race 2 aboard Fiber Strong.
Jeiron Barbosa shows a remarkable 25.93% win percentage from limited starts and has been effective for top trainers. His mounts in multiple races tonight merit attention.
Jose Montano demonstrates exceptional efficiency with a 31.25% win rate from just 16 starts, making his mount in Race 8 particularly interesting.
Trainer Insights
Anthony Farrior leads all trainers with 102 wins and strong statistics across multiple categories. His horses in Races 5 and 6 command respect.
Jeff Runco shows exceptional value with 17.36 added wins, more than triple his nearest competitor. His entries in Races 2 and 4 deserve serious consideration.
David Walters maintains strong statistics and effective partnerships with top jockeys. His filly in Race 7 represents solid value.
Wagering Strategies
Best Bets: Focus on the Farrior-trained horses Il Marchesse (Race 5) and Absolute Grit (Race 6), along with the Runco entries in the early races.
Value Plays: Jose Montano’s mount Fainor’s Filets in the finale offers potential at favorable odds.
Multi-Race Strategies: Consider connecting the favored trainers across multiple races, particularly focusing on the Bocachica and Barbosa mounts throughout the card.
Track Bias Angles: Emphasize early speed in the 4.5-furlong races while giving slight preference to outside post positions based on recent track bias data.
Suggested Picks:
Race 1: Mean Jakey
Race 2: Fiber Strong
Race 3: Vissim
Race 4: Robbielikeshim
Race 5: Il Marchesse
Race 6: Absolute Grit
Race 7: Funding the Kids
Race 8: Fainor’s Filets
