Charles Town Races presents an eight-race card today featuring a mix of claiming races, maiden events, and allowance conditions. The card includes several competitive claiming races with purses ranging from $12,400 to $30,600. Today’s program sets the stage for tomorrow’s Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes, one of the track’s signature events.
The racing surface at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races features a six-furlong thoroughbred facility that has been hosting competitive racing throughout the summer meet.
Weather Forecast and Track Conditions
Current weather conditions in the Charles Town area show temperatures in the low 80s with sunny skies expected throughout the day. Recent weather patterns have been stable with clear to partly cloudy conditions and minimal wind, creating favorable racing conditions. The track surface should remain fast with no precipitation expected to impact today’s racing program.
Yesterday’s weather featured high temperatures reaching 88°F with clear evening conditions, suggesting the racing surface will be in optimal condition for today’s card. Humidity levels have been moderate, and the stable weather pattern indicates consistent track conditions throughout the afternoon racing program.
Race-by-Race Analysis and Picks
Race 1
Our Memories appears as the morning line favorite at 9-2 odds with connections showing confidence in this claiming event. The race features competitive claiming horses with trainer Kevin Joy saddling Lovely Odds with jockey J D Acosta aboard.
Race 2
Race 2 at Charles Town presents a competitive Maiden Special Weight event for three-year-old geldings and colts contested at 4.5 furlongs on the dirt track. The race carries a substantial purse of $30,600, reflecting the quality of the field assembled for this sprint contest.
Field Analysis
Motel Patel enters as the heavy morning line favorite at odds ranging from 1-2 to 7-5 depending on the wagering pool. The gelding carries 118 pounds under jockey Wesley Ho for trainer Kent Knudsen. Ho brings solid credentials with a 12% win rate and 37% in-the-money percentage across recent starts. The combination rates as the “Fastest Stalker” in terms of running style, suggesting tactical speed that could prove decisive in this short sprint. Motel Patel has earned $69,600 in career earnings, indicating previous competitive efforts despite remaining a maiden.
Katmandu represents the Jeff Runco barn with leading jockey Arnaldo Bocachica aboard. Bocachica currently leads the Charles Town jockey standings with exceptional statistics including a 35% win rate and 71% in-the-money percentage across 170 recent mounts. Trainer Runco maintains impressive numbers with a 28% win rate and 65% in-the-money percentage. The colt carries 118 pounds and shows morning line odds of 2-1 to 3-1. This represents a first-time starter with no previous racing data available.
Super Lino brings experience to the contest with previous racing efforts showing a 100% place percentage in limited starts. The colt has earned $10,281 in career earnings and shows morning line odds of 5-2 to 7-2. Jockey Alexis Rios-Conde Jr. provides the riding assignment for trainer Sylvester McGill, who demonstrates a 25% win rate and impressive 62% in-the-money percentage. Super Lino’s running style projects as “Fast Leader,” suggesting early pace involvement that could prove crucial in the short sprint distance.
Skylar’s Brother represents another experienced maiden carrying 124 pounds, the highest impost in the field. Marshall Mendez takes the riding assignment, bringing a 22% win rate and 49% in-the-money percentage across 189 recent starts. Trainer Phillip Capuano shows a 17% win rate and 33% in-the-money percentage. The gelding has accumulated $79,438 in career earnings, the highest total in the field, suggesting consistent competitive efforts. Morning line odds range from 3-1 to 4-1, and the running style projects as “Fast Stalker.”
Berniedott enters for trainer Barry L King with jockey J D Acosta providing the riding assignment. Acosta demonstrates solid credentials with a 12% win rate and 35% in-the-money percentage across 116 recent mounts. The gelding carries 118 pounds at morning line odds of 5-1 to 6-1. Previous racing efforts show earnings of $41,100, and the running style projects as “Fast Deep,” suggesting mid-pack positioning with late acceleration.
Kurumi Go Go rounds out the field as the longest shot at 29-1 morning line odds. Jockey Jhorma Cespedes brings a 9% win rate and 26% in-the-money percentage across 68 recent starts for trainer Ricardo Rangel. The gelding carries the lowest weight at 117 pounds and has earned $16,680 in career efforts. The running style projects as “Mid Pack Closer,” suggesting a come-from-behind approach.
Pace Analysis
The race sets up with multiple horses showing early speed tendencies. Super Lino projects as the primary early pace setter with “Fast Leader” running style, while Motel Patel and Skylar’s Brother both rate as stalker types positioned just off the early pace. This pace scenario could create opportunities for the closer types, particularly Kurumi Go Go, if the early pace becomes contentious.
The 4.5-furlong distance favors horses with natural speed and tactical positioning. Berniedott’s “Fast Deep” style suggests mid-pack positioning that could prove effective if the early pace becomes too aggressive between Super Lino, Motel Patel, and potentially Skylar’s Brother.
Key Handicapping Factors
The Bocachica-Runco partnership with Katmandu represents the strongest statistical combination, given Bocachica’s current 35% win rate and Runco’s consistent 28% training percentage. This first-time starter benefits from connections demonstrating peak current form.
Motel Patel’s status as the heavy favorite reflects both the horse’s previous competitive efforts and the solid Wesley Ho-Kent Knudsen combination. The “Fastest Stalker” designation suggests tactical speed that could prove decisive in the short sprint format.
Experience factors favor horses like Skylar’s Brother with $79,438 in career earnings and Super Lino with previous racing efforts showing place consistency. However, maiden races often reward improving horses or first-time starters with superior connections.
Final Assessment
This competitive maiden sprint presents multiple viable contenders with different tactical approaches. The race likely develops with Super Lino setting the early pace, Motel Patel and Skylar’s Brother in stalking positions, and the remaining field seeking racing room in the final furlong. The short distance emphasizes gate speed and tactical positioning over sustained speed, making jockey skill particularly crucial in the outcome.
Race 5
Race 5 at Charles Town presents a competitive $10,000 claiming event for three-year-old geldings and up contested at seven furlongs on the dirt track. The race carries a substantial purse of $22,700, attracting a field of six seasoned claiming horses with diverse running styles and varying levels of recent form. This claiming level represents solid competition with several horses demonstrating consistent earning ability throughout their careers.
Field Analysis
No Love For Juba enters as the even-money morning line favorite, carrying the highest weight assignment at 122 pounds under jockey Reshawn Latchman for trainer James W King Jr. Latchman brings exceptional credentials with a 22% win rate and impressive 62% in-the-money percentage across 58 recent starts, currently ranking among the leading riders at the meet. The gelding has accumulated $348,550 in career earnings from 36 starts, recording 8 wins, 14 places, and 18 shows for a solid 22% win rate and 50% show percentage. Recent form shows a commanding victory in a 6.5-furlong event at Charles Town, followed by a fourth-place finish over 4.5 furlongs, and a strong second-place effort at today’s seven-furlong distance. The running style projects as “Fastest Stalker,” positioning him perfectly to track the early pace and strike in the stretch. The combination of recent winning form, tactical speed, and the meet’s leading jockey provides strong credentials for a winning run.
Buddy Buddy represents the second choice at 3-2 morning line odds, carrying 120 pounds under jockey Fredy Peltroche for trainer Timothy M Collins. Peltroche shows modest statistics with an 11% win rate and 43% in-the-money percentage across 61 recent starts, while trainer Collins demonstrates strong numbers with a 20% win rate and 35% in-the-money percentage from 20 recent starts. The gelding has earned $347,798 from 34 career starts, recording 8 wins, 11 places, and 18 shows for a 24% win rate and 53% show percentage. Recent efforts include a fourth-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile event, a third-place effort over seven furlongs at Charles Town, and a victory at 6.5 furlongs at Charles Town. The “Fast Leader” running style suggests early pace involvement that could prove decisive if he can secure the lead and control the tempo. The consistent recent form at similar distances provides confidence in his current condition.
C R’s Mandate carries 6-1 morning line odds under jockey Walter Cullum for trainer Sherry L Jackson. Cullum shows a 10% win rate and 34% in-the-money percentage across 29 recent starts, while trainer Jackson demonstrates solid statistics with a 19% win rate and 38% in-the-money percentage from 16 recent starts. The gelding has accumulated the highest career earnings in the field at $513,664 from 33 starts, recording 5 wins, 11 places, and 16 shows for a 15% win rate and 48% show percentage. Recent form includes a seventh-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile event at Charles Town, a victory over seven furlongs at Charles Town, and a fifth-place effort at 6.5 furlongs. The “Slowest Closer” running style suggests a come-from-behind approach that could prove effective if the early pace becomes contested. The recent victory at today’s exact distance and track provides strong form credentials.
Spirit Of Windsor enters at 15-1 odds, carrying the lowest weight assignment at 113 pounds under jockey Jhorma Cespedes for trainer Timothy M Collins. Cespedes shows modest statistics with a 7% win rate and 21% in-the-money percentage across 42 recent starts. The gelding has earned $177,961 from 38 career starts, recording 10 wins, 16 places, and 18 shows for a solid 26% win rate and 47% show percentage. Recent form shows a fifth-place finish in a 6.5-furlong event at Charles Town, followed by consecutive victories at the six-furlong distance. The “Slower Stalker” running style and seven-pound weight advantage provide tactical benefits. The back-to-back victories demonstrate current winning form, though the step up in distance from six to seven furlongs represents a slight question mark.
Cayenne Creek carries 20-1 morning line odds under jockey Juan Mauricio Nunez for trainer Russell E Davis III. Nunez brings a 10% win rate and 35% in-the-money percentage across 86 recent starts, while trainer Davis shows a 12% win rate and 38% in-the-money percentage from eight recent starts. The gelding has earned $117,860 from 29 career starts, recording only 3 wins, 7 places, and 11 shows for a modest 10% win rate and 38% show percentage. Recent efforts include a sixth-place finish over seven furlongs at Charles Town, a fourth-place effort over the same distance, and a seventh-place finish in a seven-furlong event. The “Slowest Deep” running style suggests mid-pack positioning with late acceleration, though recent form indicates difficulty competing at this level.
Direct The Show represents a 10-1 longshot carrying 120 pounds under jockey Elias Peltroche for trainer Mark A Shanley. Peltroche shows impressive statistics from a limited sample with a 50% win rate and 50% in-the-money percentage across four recent starts. Trainer Shanley demonstrates modest numbers with a 7% win rate and 29% in-the-money percentage from 14 recent starts. The gelding has earned $126,898 from 25 career starts, recording 5 wins, 6 places, and 10 shows for a 20% win rate and 40% show percentage. Recent form includes a third-place finish in a 6.5-furlong event at Charles Town, a fifth-place effort over 4.5 furlongs, and a sixth-place finish at 6.5 furlongs. The “Slower Closer” running style suggests a come-from-behind approach that requires a favorable pace scenario.
Pace Analysis
The race sets up with potential for a moderate early pace, with Buddy Buddy projecting as the primary speed horse with his “Fast Leader” running style. No Love For Juba’s “Fastest Stalker” designation positions him perfectly to track the early pace and challenge in the stretch. The multiple horses with stalking and closing tendencies, including C R’s Mandate, Spirit Of Windsor, and Direct The Show, suggest the pace may not become overly contentious early.
The seven-furlong distance favors horses with tactical speed and the ability to position well entering the far turn. Spirit Of Windsor’s “Slower Stalker” style and significant weight advantage could prove beneficial if the early pace becomes moderate. The closing types like C R’s Mandate and Direct The Show will need honest early fractions to be effective in the final stages.
Key Handicapping Factors
The jockey-trainer combinations present varying levels of confidence. The Latchman-King partnership with No Love For Juba benefits from Latchman’s exceptional 62% in-the-money percentage, despite limited trainer statistics. The Collins-trained duo of Buddy Buddy and Spirit Of Windsor provides consistent preparation methods, evidenced by Collins’ solid 20% win rate.
Recent form strongly favors No Love For Juba with his commanding victory at Charles Town, followed by C R’s Mandate’s recent seven-furlong victory at the same track. Buddy Buddy’s consistent placing efforts and Spirit Of Windsor’s back-to-back victories at shorter distances provide additional form credentials.
Weight assignments create a significant advantage for Spirit Of Windsor at 113 pounds compared to No Love For Juba’s 122-pound burden. The nine-pound spread represents nearly a full length advantage at the finish, potentially offsetting the class and form differential between the horses.
Class levels appear relatively even throughout the field, with career earnings ranging from $117,860 to $513,664, suggesting competitive balance despite the wide morning line odds spread.
Final Assessment
This claiming race centers around the battle between the top two choices, No Love For Juba and Buddy Buddy, each bringing different tactical advantages. No Love For Juba’s recent victory, superior jockey, and tactical speed provide strong credentials for favoritism, while Buddy Buddy’s consistent form and early speed could control the pace scenario. C R’s Mandate represents solid value at 6-1 odds given his recent victory at today’s exact conditions and closing kick that could prove effective. Spirit Of Windsor offers interesting longshot potential with his weight advantage and recent winning form, though the distance stretch remains questionable. The remaining horses face significant disadvantages in form, class, or statistical profiles, making them unlikely to factor in the outcome.
Race 7
Race 7 at Charles Town presents a competitive $15,000 claiming event for three-year-old geldings and up contested at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt track. The race carries a substantial purse of $28,700, attracting a field of seven seasoned claiming horses with diverse tactical approaches and varying levels of recent form.
Field Analysis
States United enters as the overwhelming morning line favorite at odds of 1-2, representing exceptional value confidence from the oddsmaker. The gelding carries 120 pounds under jockey J D Acosta for trainer Kieron Magee. Acosta brings solid credentials with a 15% win rate and 41% in-the-money percentage across 34 recent starts. The horse has accumulated $175,227 in career earnings from 13 starts, posting a strong record of 4 wins, 4 places, and 5 shows for a 31% win rate and 38% show percentage. Recent form shows a third-place finish at Delaware Park going one mile, followed by a sixth-place effort at Parx Racing over seven furlongs, and a victory at Delaware Park over one mile. The running style projects as “Fast Leads,” suggesting early pace involvement that could prove decisive in this route event.
Neverpopthecork represents the second choice at 2-1 morning line odds, carrying the highest weight assignment at 122 pounds under jockey Antonio Lopez for trainer Kristy Petty. Lopez demonstrates solid statistics with a 22% win rate and 56% in-the-money percentage across nine recent mounts. The gelding has earned $310,740 in career earnings from 36 starts, recording 5 wins, 15 places, and 15 shows for a 14% win rate and 42% show percentage. Recent efforts include a fifth-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile event at Charles Town, a victory over the same distance, and a second-place effort, all demonstrating consistent form at today’s distance. The running style projects as “Fastest Stalker,” positioning him perfectly to track the early pace and strike in the stretch.
Yo Vinnie carries 7-2 morning line odds under jockey Walter Cullum for trainer Jeff C Runco. Cullum brings limited recent experience with zero wins from six mounts but maintains a 50% show percentage. Trainer Runco shows an 11% win rate and 37% in-the-money percentage across 19 recent starts. The gelding has earned $215,938 from 24 career starts with a record of 7 wins, 10 places, and 12 shows, producing a solid 29% win rate and 50% show percentage. Recent form shows a fourth-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile event at Charles Town, a second-place effort over the same distance, and a fifth-place finish. The consistent distance form and “Fast Leads” running style suggest tactical speed that could prove effective if the early pace becomes moderate.
Blameitonthefun enters at 4-1 morning line odds carrying 120 pounds under jockey Luis Angel Batista for trainer Timothy Shanley. Batista shows zero wins from 11 recent mounts but maintains a solid 64% in-the-money percentage, suggesting consistent placement ability. Trainer Shanley demonstrates strong statistics with a 26% win rate and 50% in-the-money percentage across 34 recent starts. The gelding has accumulated $216,180 from 44 career starts, recording 10 wins, 15 places, and 18 shows for a 23% win rate and 41% show percentage. Recent efforts include a second-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile event at Charles Town, a third-place effort over the same distance, and another third-place finish, showing consistent form at today’s distance. The “Fast Leader” running style suggests early pace involvement.
I’M The Money Man carries 7-1 odds under jockey Denis Vicente Araujo for trainer Ronald G Sigler. Araujo brings a 12% win rate and 56% in-the-money percentage across 43 recent starts, while trainer Sigler shows a 25% win rate and 50% in-the-money percentage from eight recent starts. The gelding has earned $323,801, the highest total in the field, from 27 career starts with 7 wins, 8 places, and 15 shows for a 26% win rate and 56% show percentage. Recent form includes a third-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile event at Charles Town, a second-place effort over seven furlongs, and a ninth-place finish in a 1 1/8-mile event. The “Mid Pack Deep” running style suggests a come-from-behind approach that could prove effective if the early pace becomes contested.
Love Is Wicked enters at 9-1 odds under jockey B Cacha-Padilla for trainer Dewayne C Johnson. Cacha-Padilla shows no recent statistics available, while trainer Johnson maintains a zero win rate from two recent starts but shows a 50% show percentage. The gelding has earned $229,276 from 34 career starts, recording only 3 wins, 6 places, and 13 shows for a modest 9% win rate and 38% show percentage. Recent efforts include a seventh-place finish over seven furlongs at Charles Town, a victory over 6.5 furlongs, and a third-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile event. The “Fast Leads” running style and distance experience provide some appeal despite modest statistics.
Bold Desert represents the longest shot at 29-1 odds, carrying the lowest weight at 116 pounds under jockey Marshall Mendez for trainer Dewayne C Johnson. Mendez demonstrates a 14% win rate and 46% in-the-money percentage across 35 recent starts. The gelding has earned only $57,030 from 11 career starts with 2 wins, 3 places, and 5 shows for an 18% win rate and 45% show percentage. Recent form shows a victory over seven furlongs at Charles Town, a sixth-place finish over 6.5 furlongs, and a fifth-place effort over seven furlongs. The “Slowest Stalker” running style and limited earnings suggest this represents the field’s weakest contender despite recent victory.
Pace Analysis
The race sets up with multiple horses showing early speed tendencies, creating potential for a contested early pace. States United, Yo Vinnie, Love Is Wicked, and Blameitonthefun all project as early pace factors with “Fast Leads” or “Fast Leader” running styles. This scenario could create opportunities for the stalker types, particularly Neverpopthecork with “Fastest Stalker” designation, and the closer I’M The Money Man with “Mid Pack Deep” style.
The 1 1/16-mile distance favors horses with tactical speed and the ability to secure good position entering the far turn. Bold Desert’s “Slowest Stalker” style may face difficulty overcoming the likely honest pace scenario, while the multiple speed horses could soften each other up for late runners.
Key Handicapping Factors
The trainer-jockey combinations present varying levels of confidence. Kristy Petty’s exceptional in-the-money percentage with Neverpopthecork represents the strongest statistical combination. Timothy Shanley’s 26% win rate provides confidence for Blameitonthefun, while the Magee-Acosta partnership with States United offers solid credentials despite modest trainer statistics.
Distance experience strongly favors several contenders. Neverpopthecork shows consistent form at the 1 1/16-mile distance with recent placings and victory over the trip. Blameitonthefun demonstrates similar distance consistency with multiple placings in recent starts at today’s distance. States United brings winning form at the one-mile distance, suggesting the additional sixteenth should not pose significant challenges.
The weight assignments create slight advantages for Bold Desert at 116 pounds and potential disadvantage for Neverpopthecork at 122 pounds. However, class levels and current form likely outweigh the weight differential significance.
Final Assessment
This claiming race presents a classic scenario between the heavy favorite States United and the value alternative Neverpopthecork. States United’s 1-2 odds reflect confidence in class relief and strong recent form, while Neverpopthecork offers superior trainer statistics and proven distance ability at more generous odds. The multiple speed horses create pace scenarios that could benefit either the tactical speed of Neverpopthecork or the closing ability of I’M The Money Man. Blameitonthefun represents a live longshot with consistent distance form and solid trainer statistics, while the remaining field faces significant disadvantages in class, form, or statistical profiles.
Race 8 – Maiden Special Weight
This $15,100 purse maiden race for three-year-old geldings and colts at 4.5 furlongs presents several interesting contenders. A Reason To Party shows as the 3-2 morning line favorite under jockey Joe Stokes for trainer Anthony K Grigsby. The gelding carries strong place and show percentages of 37% and 57% respectively.
Good Intentions appears as the second choice at 4-5 odds under jockey Gustavo Larrosa for trainer Ruben D Reyes. Trip Sevens and Junito’s Boy both carry longer odds at 15-1 but represent potential value plays given their connections.
El Profeto, trained by William L Aylor Jr. and ridden by Sunday Diaz Jr., shows promise with a 17% win percentage and solid place/show numbers. The horse has demonstrated consistent effort in recent starts at the 4.5-furlong distance.
Jockey Notes and Insights
Arnaldo Bocachica leads the current jockey standings at Charles Town with an impressive 21 wins in his last 50 starts, demonstrating exceptional form throughout the meet. Reshawn Latchman follows with 15 wins in his last 50 mounts, showing consistent performance across various race types.
Wesley Ho has compiled 10 wins in his recent 50 starts, while Marshall Mendez rounds out the top performers with 9 victories. These statistics indicate the strength of the current jockey colony and provide valuable insight for handicapping purposes.
Sunday Diaz Jr. shows strong statistics with a 15% win rate and 44% in-the-money percentage, making his mounts worthy of consideration in today’s races. Gustavo Larrosa maintains solid numbers with an 8% win rate and 26% in-the-money percentage across 104 recent mounts.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Jacob G Hess shows promising statistics with a 17% win rate and 33% in-the-money percentage, indicating strong preparation methods. The trainer saddles multiple horses today including Junito’s Boy and Dadio in Race 8.
Anthony K Grigsby demonstrates solid numbers with a 10% win rate and impressive 48% in-the-money percentage, suggesting consistent horse preparation. His charge A Reason To Party represents the morning line favorite in Race 8.
R W Brown appears multiple times on today’s card, training both Preshow Hype and Hopping Henry with jockey J Cespedes providing riding assignments. The trainer-jockey combination has shown success in recent outings.
Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
Today’s card presents several value opportunities, particularly in the maiden races where form analysis becomes crucial. Race 8 offers potential value with Junito’s Boy and Trip Sevens both listed at 15-1 odds despite connections that suggest competitive ability.
The superfecta combination for Race 8 suggests using horses 5-1-7-2, indicating potential value in the exotic wagering pools. This combination considers both favorites and longshots to maximize payout potential.
Daily double opportunities exist connecting the early claiming races, where consistent trainers like R W Brown and jockeys like J Cespedes provide reliability. Pick 3 and Pick 4 sequences should focus on races featuring the leading jockeys, particularly those involving Arnaldo Bocachica when he appears on the card.
Exacta wheels using the top jockeys in competitive claiming races may provide consistent returns given their superior win percentages. The strength of the jockey colony suggests focusing on rider statistics when making wagering decisions.
