Get more in-depth analysis for all races and enjoy many other membership perks with a Pick Pony subscription!
Don’t forget Pick Pony’s Expert Picks, AI Picks, and Past Performance Sheets/Racing Forms!
The Pick Pony Handicapper’s Report is published daily and provides analysis of all races on the card. A Pick Pony analyst prepares the report, so selections may differ from the Pick Pony Expert Picks, which are based on the consensus of all Pick Pony analysts.
Charles Town features a competitive eight-race card tonight with a mix of claiming, allowance, and maiden races for West Virginia-bred horses. The track usually stays consistent in November, with the main track expected to be listed as fast for tonight’s racing.
Weather and Track Conditions
Evening temperatures in Charles Town during early November range from the mid-40s to low 50s, with partly cloudy skies expected. The dirt track should be rated fast with no precipitation forecast, providing ideal racing conditions for the evening program. November weather patterns in the region typically favor consistent track surfaces, making handicapping more straightforward as horses can be evaluated on their preferred surface preferences.
Race 1 Analysis – Claiming $5,000
This 4.5-furlong sprint for fillies and mares features horses that have never won two races. Aim’s Jubilee enters with recent local experience and draws the inside post under Juan Belisario, who maintains an 18.90% win rate with positive added wins. Sweet Summer Love presents intrigue as a 4-year-old filly carrying just 124 pounds with trainer Cesar Nambo seeking improvement.
The pace setup appears honest with multiple speed types, particularly Another Fine Juba from post 6 under Fredy Peltroche. All Aboard represents the lone 3-year-old in the field, potentially offering a class edge with proper development.
Key wagering angle centers on the claiming level drop potential and post position advantages in this sprint distance. Our Great Notion merits consideration despite the outside post based on veteran mare status and trainer Osborne Smith’s patient approach.
Selection: Aim’s Jubilee to win, Sweet Summer Love for place value.
Race 2 Analysis – Claiming $5,000
Seven-furlong test for horses that have never won three races presents Big Dilemma as a prime contender from post 7 under Juan Belisario. The gelding shows consistent local form and benefits from the powerful Ronney Brown barn, which has recorded 90 wins this meet.
Tycoon Mogul offers early speed potential from the Miguel Ramos stable, while Well Spotted provides tactical flexibility under Justin Lewis. The pace scenario suggests a moderately contested early fraction with the winner likely coming from just off the leaders.
Buoyant represents three-year-old improvement potential but faces seasoned competition in this spot. Blood Brother and Chica Chuck complete the viable contenders based on recent form cycles.
Selection: Big Dilemma for the win, Well Spotted as the value play.
Race 3 Analysis – West Virginia-Bred Allowance
The third race features a competitive $34,000 allowance for West Virginia-bred horses aged three and upward over 6.5 furlongs on the main dirt track. This distance at Charles Town typically favors horses with tactical speed who can position within striking range early and maintain their momentum through the stretch.
Primary Contenders
Ray of Sunshine enters as the overwhelming 3-2 morning line favorite under leading jockey Arnaldo Bocachica. The three-year-old colt shows impressive consistency with 24% win rate and 78% in-the-money percentage in his career profile. His running style as the fastest early type gives him significant advantages at this distance and track configuration. Bocachica’s 27% win rate and 64% in-the-money percentage provide additional confidence in this partnership. The colt’s recent form includes a victory at 7 furlongs and a strong runner-up effort, indicating peak condition for trainer Javier Contreras.
Caffeinennicotine represents exceptional value at 5-1 morning line odds despite showing the highest predicted show percentage at 99%. The four-year-old gelding carries top weight of 126 pounds but demonstrates consistent ability with 29% win rate and 63% place percentage. His recent fourth-place finish at seven furlongs followed by back-to-back victories at 5.5 furlongs suggests he’s hitting peak form for trainer Elizabeth Meehan. The combination of strong recent form and generous odds makes him an attractive wagering proposition.
Secondary Choices
Big Joe B offers solid place and show value at 7-2 odds with his stalking running style perfectly suited for the distance. The four-year-old gelding shows 13% win rate but impressive 57% in-the-money percentage, indicating consistent competitiveness. His recent runner-up finish followed by two mid-pack efforts suggests he’s ready to improve for trainer Michael Atkins.
Direct Appeal brings the highest career earnings at $238,259 and tactical closing ability that could prove effective in a pace-contested scenario. At 9-2 morning line odds, the gelding represents value despite modest recent form. His proven ability at longer distances and closing kick make him dangerous if the pace develops favorably.
Mr. Dumbledore carries significant weight concessions at 115 pounds, representing an 11-pound advantage over the top weight. The veteran gelding shows consistent in-the-money performance at 57% and his late-running style could benefit from an honest pace. Trainer Timothy Grams maintains solid statistics with 20% win rate.
Pace Analysis
The race setup suggests a moderately contested early pace with Ray of Sunshine and Caffeinennicotine both showing early speed tendencies. Rum N Coke adds another speed element from post 5, potentially creating enough pace pressure to set up closers like Direct Appeal and Mr. Dumbledore. The 6.5-furlong distance typically rewards horses who can secure good position early without using excessive energy.
Wagering Strategy
The win pool centers around Ray of Sunshine as the deserving favorite, but his short odds limit profit potential. Caffeinennicotine represents the premium value play at 5-1 odds with superior predicted performance metrics. The exacta combinations linking these two primary contenders with Big Joe B and Direct Appeal offer attractive payoff potential.
Exotic wagering angles include superfecta wheels using Caffeinennicotine and Ray of Sunshine in multiple positions with Big Joe B and Mr. Dumbledore as coverage horses. The weight concessions for Mr. Dumbledore create additional handicapping angles in longer exotics.
Selection
HOLD YOUR HORSES! SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT
We're sorry, but this content has chosen the exclusive "members only" lifestyle. Must be nice! But you too can access it as a Pick Pony subscriber. Memberships are as low as $3/month and include Expert Picks, AI Picks, Handicapper Reports, exclusive analysis tools, advertisement-free experience, and much more!
Race 4 Analysis – West Virginia-Bred Allowance
The fourth race features a competitive $31,700 West Virginia-bred allowance over seven furlongs for horses that have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, starter, or waiver claiming, or which have never won two races. This distance at Charles Town provides ample opportunity for tactical positioning and creates interesting pace dynamics with multiple early speed types.
Primary Contenders
Fiber Proof emerges as the deserving morning line favorite at even-money with exceptional predicted performance metrics of 28% win, 52% place, and 76% show probability. The three-year-old gelding shows impressive consistency with 25% career win rate and 50% in-the-money percentage from eight starts, earning $89,957. His recent victory over seven furlongs at Charles Town demonstrates peak condition for trainer Stacey Viands, while leading jockey Arnaldo Bocachica provides significant tactical advantages with his 40% win rate and 68% in-the-money percentage.
The gelding carries 120 pounds and shows fast early tactical speed that perfectly suits the Charles Town seven-furlong configuration. Recent form includes a dominant score followed by consistent placings, indicating steady improvement and optimal placement by connections.
Sharpasadiamond represents excellent value as the second choice at 2-1 morning line odds with strong predicted metrics of 24% win, 47% place, and 69% show probability. The three-year-old gelding demonstrates exceptional consistency with 33% career win rate and remarkable 89% in-the-money percentage from nine starts. His running style as the fastest early type creates pace pressure for Fiber Proof while offering tactical flexibility under Reshawn Latchman.
Recent form shows impressive consistency with runner-up efforts followed by victories, indicating peak competitive condition for trainer Anthony Rideoutt II. The gelding benefits from a two-pound weight concession at 122 pounds and draws advantageous post position for tactical positioning early.
Secondary Choices
Entice Me offers solid place and show value at 5-2 morning line odds with 16% win, 33% place, and 51% show predictions. The three-year-old gelding shows 12% career win rate but strong 62% in-the-money percentage, indicating consistent competitiveness. Trainer Cynthia McKee maintains impressive statistics with 28% win rate and 61% in-the-money percentage, suggesting optimal preparation and placement.
His fast early tactical speed adds another dimension to the pace scenario, while carrying 120 pounds provides slight weight advantages over some rivals.
Holiday Cash presents exceptional value potential at 9-1 morning line odds despite showing 12% win, 26% place, and 40% show predictions. The three-year-old gelding benefits from significant weight concessions at 115 pounds under apprentice jockey Moises Santaella. His running style as the slowest deep closer positions him perfectly if the early pace develops honestly between the speed horses.
Recent form includes a strong runner-up finish and consistent local efforts for trainer Ronney Brown, who maintains 20% win rate and 55% in-the-money percentage. The weight relief and potential pace setup create attractive wagering angles.
Longshot Considerations
Sea of Tranquility merits respect at 14-1 odds based on extensive experience with 22 career starts and 27% win rate. The four-year-old colt has earned $96,205 and shows 50% in-the-money consistency. His mid-pack leading running style could prove effective if the pace collapses early.
Bold Desert offers place and show value at 7-1 odds with his mid-pack stalking style and solid 19% career win rate. Recent local form shows improvement for trainer Dewayne Johnson.
Pace Analysis
The race setup suggests a contested early pace with three horses showing fast early speed: Sharpasadiamond as the fastest leads type, Fiber Proof with fast leads ability, and Entice Me also showing fast leads tendencies. This pace pressure benefits the deep closers, particularly Holiday Cash, who shows slowest deep running style and significant weight concessions.
The seven-furlong distance provides enough real estate for tactical positioning changes, with the mid-pack runners like Sea of Tranquility and Bold Desert positioned to benefit from pace dynamics.
Wagering Strategy
HOLD YOUR HORSES! SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT
We're sorry, but this content has chosen the exclusive "members only" lifestyle. Must be nice! But you too can access it as a Pick Pony subscriber. Memberships are as low as $3/month and include Expert Picks, AI Picks, Handicapper Reports, exclusive analysis tools, advertisement-free experience, and much more!
Race 5 Analysis – Maiden Claiming
The West Virginia-bred maiden claimer at 4.5 furlongs features debut runners and lightly raced horses. Just a Wizard draws attention as a 5-2 morning line choice under Sunday Diaz Jr. The McKee trainee has shown patience with young horses throughout the meet.
King Uni represents the Bocachica-Mangual combination that has been effective at the meet. Mister Grinch offers first-time starter appeal under Victor Rodriguez, who maintains strong added win numbers.
Sprint maiden races often favor horses with natural early speed and breeding for the distance. Dontcrosstheline carries apprentice weight that could prove decisive in a competitive maiden field.
Selection: Just a Wizard to win, King Uni for value.
Race 6 Analysis – Starter Optional Claiming
The sixth race features a competitive $22,700 starter optional claiming sprint at 4.5 furlongs for horses that have previously started for $5,000 or less or are entered for the current $10,000 claiming tag. This distance heavily favors early speed at Charles Town, creating tactical advantages for horses with natural gate speed and front-running ability.
Primary Contenders
Talkin Pharoah emerges as the deserving even-money morning line favorite with exceptional predicted metrics of 19% win, 40% place, and 61% show probability. The five-year-old gelding shows outstanding consistency with 48% career win rate and 76% in-the-money percentage from 21 starts, earning $284,540. His running style as the fastest leader type perfectly suits the Charles Town sprint configuration, while jockey J.D. Acosta provides tactical expertise despite modest 12% win rate statistics.
Recent form shows consistent competitiveness with runner-up finishes in similar company, indicating peak condition for trainer Michael Jones Jr. The gelding carries 124 pounds and draws post position 7, providing tactical flexibility for early positioning.
Restless represents exceptional value as the second choice at 2-1 morning line odds with superior predicted performance of 29% win, 57% place, and 86% show probability. The four-year-old gelding demonstrates strong consistency with 25% career win rate and 67% in-the-money percentage from 36 starts. His fast leader running style creates speed pressure while benefiting from significant weight concessions at 117 pounds under Juan Belisario.
The Ronney Brown trainee shows excellent recent form with victories and placings at the distance, while the 9-pound weight advantage over some rivals provides additional tactical benefits. Belisario maintains solid local statistics with 19% win rate and 55% in-the-money percentage.
Hey Boots offers solid place value at 3-2 odds with 14% win, 32% place, and 51% show predictions. The four-year-old gelding shows impressive 38% career win rate and 71% in-the-money percentage from 24 starts. His fast leader running style adds another speed dimension while jockey Jeiron Barbosa provides strong tactical advantages with 22% win rate and 48% in-the-money percentage.
Trainer Anthony Farrior leads the colony with exceptional statistics of 27% win rate and 58% in-the-money percentage from 173 starts. Recent form includes a victory followed by consistent placings in similar company.
Secondary Choices
Secession presents interesting exotic value at 9-1 odds with 22% place and 35% show predictions. The five-year-old gelding benefits from maximum weight concessions at 117 pounds under apprentice jockey Moises Santaella. His slowest closer running style positions him perfectly if the early pace develops honestly between multiple speed types.
Trainer Jean Adorno maintains exceptional statistics with 40% win rate and 66% in-the-money percentage, suggesting optimal preparation and placement. Recent form shows improvement with a victory in similar company.
Optimistic Nate offers place and show value at 11-1 odds with 19% win, 40% place, and 61% show predictions. The five-year-old gelding shows 24% career win rate and solid recent form under leading jockey Abnel Bocachica. His slower stalker running style could prove effective with proper tactical positioning.
Longshot Considerations
Claw merits respect at 9-1 odds based on extensive experience with 65 career starts and 12% win rate. The seven-year-old gelding earned $288,965 and shows 43% in-the-money consistency. His mid-pack closer style benefits from pace pressure created by multiple speed types.
Mean Jakey represents the longest shot at 10-1 odds but shows solid recent local form with 16% career win rate and 50% in-the-money percentage. His mid-pack deep running style requires perfect pace setup.
Pace Analysis
The race setup suggests a contested early pace with four horses showing early speed tendencies: Talkin Pharoah as the fastest leader, Restless and Hey Boots as fast leaders, and On the Come Up as a slower leader. This pace pressure creates opportunities for closers like Secession and Claw, while potentially setting up tactical advantages for the stalking types.
The 4.5-furlong distance leaves little margin for error, making early positioning and gate speed critical factors. The multiple speed horses should create honest fractions that favor horses with proven tactical ability.
Wagering Strategy
HOLD YOUR HORSES! SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT
We're sorry, but this content has chosen the exclusive "members only" lifestyle. Must be nice! But you too can access it as a Pick Pony subscriber. Memberships are as low as $3/month and include Expert Picks, AI Picks, Handicapper Reports, exclusive analysis tools, advertisement-free experience, and much more!
Race 7 Analysis – West Virginia-Bred Fillies Allowance
The seventh race features a competitive $31,700 West Virginia-bred fillies and mares allowance over 6.5 furlongs for horses that have never won two races. This distance at Charles Town typically rewards tactical positioning and tactical speed, creating opportunities for versatile fillies who can adapt to various pace scenarios.
Primary Contenders
Skie’s Music emerges as the deserving even-money favorite with exceptional predicted performance metrics of 23% win, 46% place, and 69% show probability. The three-year-old filly demonstrates solid consistency with 11% career win rate and 56% in-the-money percentage from nine starts, earning $99,007. Her running style as the fastest stalker positions her perfectly to capitalize on early pace pressure while securing ideal position behind leaders.
Leading jockey Arnaldo Bocachica provides significant advantages with his 27% win rate and 64% in-the-money percentage, making this combination formidable in state-bred company. Recent form includes consecutive runner-up finishes at the distance, indicating peak condition for trainer Timothy Collins.
Smart Cry represents solid value at 4-1 odds with strong predicted metrics of 17% win, 35% place, and 53% show probability. The three-year-old filly shows consistent competitiveness with 14% career win rate and 43% in-the-money percentage from seven starts. Her mid-pack stalking style creates tactical flexibility under Maximo Chilo, who maintains 8% win rate with 30% in-the-money percentage.
Trainer Timothy Grams provides additional confidence with 20% win rate and 49% in-the-money percentage, suggesting optimal preparation and placement. Recent form shows consistent local efforts including a victory three starts back at the distance.
Secondary Choices
First Print offers attractive place value at 11-1 odds with 21% win, 34% place predicted performance. The three-year-old filly demonstrates superior consistency with 25% career win rate and 38% in-the-money percentage from eight starts, earning $101,800. Her mid-pack leading style provides tactical advantages under Juan Nunez, while trainer Javier Contreras maintains 18% win rate with 45% in-the-money statistics.
Recent form includes a victory at 4.5 furlongs followed by competitive efforts at various distances, indicating versatility and improvement.
Classy Bay presents excellent value at 11-1 odds with identical 21% win, 34% place predictions. The three-year-old filly shows strong consistency with 17% career win rate and impressive 83% in-the-money percentage from six starts. Her mid-pack leading running style benefits from significant weight concessions at 113 pounds under Juan Belisario.
The combination of weight relief and tactical positioning creates attractive wagering angles in a competitive field.
Longshot Considerations
Stars Over Juba merits exotic consideration at 5-1 odds with her slowest stalker running style potentially benefiting from pace pressure. The three-year-old filly shows 17% career win rate and 50% in-the-money percentage with recent runner-up efforts at the distance.
Meemaw’s Girl offers place and show value at 9-1 odds with 13% win, 28% place, and 44% show predictions. Her mid-pack closing style could prove effective if the pace develops honestly between multiple speed types.
Pace Analysis
The race setup suggests a moderately contested early pace with Skie’s Music as the fastest stalker, First Print and Classy Bay showing mid-pack leading tendencies, and Smart Cry positioned as a mid-pack stalker. The distance provides ample opportunity for tactical positioning changes, while the pace pressure should create opportunities for closers like Meemaw’s Girl and Subtle Storm.
The 6.5-furlong distance typically favors fillies with tactical speed who can secure good position early without using excessive energy. The state-bred nature of the field ensures competitive balance throughout.
Wagering Strategy
HOLD YOUR HORSES! SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT
We're sorry, but this content has chosen the exclusive "members only" lifestyle. Must be nice! But you too can access it as a Pick Pony subscriber. Memberships are as low as $3/month and include Expert Picks, AI Picks, Handicapper Reports, exclusive analysis tools, advertisement-free experience, and much more!
Race 8 Analysis – Fillies and Mares Claiming
The evening finale features a claiming sprint for fillies and mares that have never won three races. Cameo represents the Kevin Joy barn, which has recorded 33 wins with strong purse percentages.
Viscious Gossip offers three-year-old improvement potential, while O K Smarty Pants brings veteran consistency to the field. Playing for Two provides tactical ability under Justin Lewis.
The competitive claiming level ensures a wide-open contest where pace dynamics and post position advantages become critical. True Indy rounds out the contenders based on recent local form.
Selection: Cameo for the win, Viscious Gossip as the value option.
Jockey Insights
Arnaldo Bocachica dominates the colony with 170 wins and leads in both purse earnings (24.32%) and added wins (12.62). His mounts warrant serious consideration across multiple races tonight.
Moises Santaella has been the hottest apprentice rider recently, winning four times from 17 starts. The weight advantage combined with improved form makes his mounts attractive in competitive spots.
Juan Belisario maintains strong metrics with 18.90% win rate and positive added wins, making him effective in both claiming and allowance company.
Trainer Notes
Anthony Farrior leads all trainers with 112 wins and 20.63% purse earnings, though his negative added wins suggest some value betting against in certain spots.
Jeff Runco presents the strongest value angle with 15.40 added wins, indicating his horses consistently outperform their odds. Ronney Brown has recorded 90 wins with positive added wins, making his runners reliable in competitive spots.
Wagering Strategies
Focus on Bocachica mounts in competitive spots, particularly when combined with value trainers like Runco. The Santaella apprentice allowance creates opportunities in maiden and lower-level claiming races.
Daily Double combinations linking the Big Dilemma (Race 2) with Ray of Sunshine (Race 3) offer solid value based on jockey-trainer combinations and form analysis.
Pick 3 wheels incorporating the strongest win contenders in Races 6-8 provide multiple ticket coverage while focusing on the most reliable connections at the meet.
