Pick Pony Tip Sheet – Expert picks for Charles Town, December 5, 2025.


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Race 1 – Claiming – 8F 110Y – Dirt – Purse $12,900

Win: 5 Lilliput – 57% confidence
Place: 4 Sassy Maxine – 71% confidence
Show: 1 Impetus Echo – 43% confidence
Alternative: 2 Wicked Melissa – 29% confidence

Analyst Notes:
Lilliput commands strong support following a maiden-breaking victory and distance experiment. Analysts note the horse is perfectly positioned for this assignment. Sassy Maxine draws consistent place support despite disappointing as favorite last start. The performance gap between top two selections is narrow, with multiple analysts mentioning Sassy Maxine could reverse the form. Impetus Echo receives show consideration despite a 14-length defeat last start, with analysts citing the return to Saturday non-metro class as a positive factor. Wicked Melissa is mentioned as a longshot exotic possibility based on prior Laurel Park win.

Race 2 – Maiden Special Weight – 8F 110Y – Dirt – Purse $31,600

Win: 2 The Commack Kid – 57% confidence
Place: 3 Katmandu – 57% confidence
Show: 1 Scar Nose – 57% confidence
Alternative: 5 Zaptastic – 43% confidence

Analyst Notes: The Commack Kid generates significant consensus following a solid third-place finish last start. Katmandu is highly competitive with strong place support, creating a two-horse battle for top honors. Scar Nose receives consistent show position mentions across multiple sources, with five placings from 10 runs this preparation validating the selection. Zaptastic draws alternative consideration with second-place finish last start. The race shape suggests a competitive field with the top three selections showing clear separation.

Race 3 – Claiming – 995Y – Dirt – Purse $12,400

Win: 1 Talented Lino – 50% confidence
Place: 2 Rip N Roll – 67% confidence
Show: 7 Dontcrosstheline – 33% confidence
Alternative: 5 Wishful Thoughts – 33% confidence

Analyst Notes: Talented Lino and Rip N Roll form a clear top pair that analysts struggle to separate. Talented Lino gets narrow preference based on strong track form and distance return. Rip N Roll commands stronger place consensus despite a layoff, with analysts noting recent second-place finish provides solid foundation. Dontcrosstheline receives show support following maiden win. Wishful Thoughts is mentioned as exotic contender after third-place finish last start. The race projects as a match race between top two selections.

Race 4 – Maiden Claiming – 1433Y – Dirt – Purse $15,100

Win: 3 Jungle Boogie – 50% confidence
Place: 9 Juba’s Taj – 33% confidence
Show: 7 Shook Me All Night – 50% confidence
Alternative: 5 Smooth Sailor – 33% confidence

Analyst Notes: Jungle Boogie leads consensus despite fifth-place finish last start, with analysts citing two placings from seven runs this preparation. Juba’s Taj receives place support following second-place finish last start and four placings from nine runs. Shook Me All Night generates equal show confidence, with analysts noting six-length deficit last start is manageable. Smooth Sailor is mentioned as alternative after nine-week layoff. The race shows less consensus than others, indicating potential for surprise outcome.

Race 5 – Claiming – 8F 110Y – Dirt – Purse $15,100

Win: 7 Swift Tap – 57% confidence
Place: 3 Overly Critical – 43% confidence
Show: 5 Rol Again Dancer – 33% confidence
Alternative: 4 Blameitonthefun – 29% confidence

Analyst Notes: Swift Tap dominates consensus despite disappointing as favorite last start, with analysts citing seven placings from 11 runs this preparation and strong track record. Overly Critical receives place mentions based on outstanding track form. Rol Again Dancer gets show consideration after second-place finish last start. Blameitonthefun is noted as alternative following win in return. The race features strong competition between top two selections, with Swift Tap’s consistency giving edge.

Race 6 – Maiden Special Weight – 1433Y – Dirt – Purse $30,600

Win: 6 Preshow Hype – 71% confidence
Place: 8 Zero Degrees – 43% confidence
Show: 1 Peppa’s Pride – 29% confidence
Alternative: 5 Golden Plunge – 43% confidence

Analyst Notes: Preshow Hype generates highest confidence of any race on card, with eight placings from 12 runs this preparation and five-week layoff cited as positives. Zero Degrees receives strong place support based on third-place finish at only Charles Town start. Peppa’s Pride gets show mentions for rail draw and prior placing. Golden Plunge is noted as dangerous alternative after running as favorite last start. The race shows clear hierarchy with Preshow Hype strongly favored.

Race 7 – Starter Optional Claiming – 8F 110Y – Dirt – Purse $22,700

Win: 7 Rhumjar – 57% confidence
Place: 1 Yo Vinnie – 29% confidence
Show: 2 Head Lad – 43% confidence
Alternative: 5 Arcadian – 57% confidence

Analyst Notes: Rhumjar commands win consensus with analysts citing four Charles Town wins and strong campaign form. Yo Vinnie receives place support as last start winner when fresh. Head Lad gets show consideration based on outstanding track record. Arcadian generates strong alternative mentions seeking hat trick after two consecutive wins. Analysts note this appears to be two-horse race between Rhumjar and Arcadian, with both showing equal win probability in some sources.

Race 8 – Claiming – 1433Y – Dirt – Purse $12,400

Win: 3 Saronic Bay – 50% confidence
Place: 2 R Special – 57% confidence
Show: 4 Tina’s Back – 29% confidence
Alternative: 6 Moon Rox – 29% confidence

Analyst Notes: Saronic Bay and R Special form top pair with split consensus. Saronic Bay gets narrow win preference based on three placings from four runs and length-back finish last start. R Special commands stronger place support despite seven-day backup, with analysts citing win at Mountaineer this preparation. Tina’s Back receives show mentions following maiden win. Moon Rox is noted as alternative after disappointing as favorite last start. The race projects as tight contest between top two selections.


Exotic Bet Recommendations

Race 1: Exacta box 5-4 provides solid value with strong top two consensus. Trifecta 5-4-1 with Impetus Echo in show position.

Race 2: Straight exacta 2-3 reflects strong top pair. Trifecta box 2-3-1 covers Scar Nose for third.

Race 3: Exacta box 1-2 best approach given divided win opinion. Part-wheel trifecta 1-2 with 7-5 for third.

Race 4: Spread exotic includes 3-9-7-5 combinations. Jungle Boogie key with Juba’s Taj and Shook Me All Night underneath.

Race 5: Exacta 7-3 keys Swift Tap over Overly Critical. Trifecta addition of 5 Rol Again Dancer provides coverage.

Race 6: Strong consensus makes 6 Preshow Hype key wager. Exacta 6-8 and trifecta 6-8-1 recommended.

Race 7: Two-horse race suggests 7-2 exacta box. Include 1 Yo Vinnie and 5 Arcadian in trifecta for coverage.

Race 8: Competitive race warrants 3-2 exacta box. Trifecta spread 3-2-4-6 covers top quartet.

Pick 4 (Races 5-8): Key 7-6-7-3 with backup 3-8-2-2 for second positions. Structure balances strong favorites with competitive middle races.

Value Plays: Overly Critical at 12-1 morning line offers value in Race 5 given strong track form. Tina’s Back at 10-1 in Race 8 provides each-way opportunity following maiden win.

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