Brian W. Spencer's Daily Picks
Charles Town - Race #6
Charles Town - Race #7
Charles Town - Race #8
Charles Town - Race #6
#1 Strong Magic | The winner of his last was DQ'ed, elevating this guy to a cheap maiden claiming win, but he has already turned in two pretty decent efforts and may not be all that far off what it would take to land this. Think he has some appeal. |
#7 King T'Challa | He has some competitive running lines, but he also settles for slices with some regularity and brings a 1-for-33 overall slate with him to this one. His better stuff would do, but I find it easy to believe he'll run into a couple of them who are too tough tonight. |
#6 Dancin in Dubai | I guess he's probably supposed to win this on the drop after a decent effort for twice this price, but he has already had several chances with similar company, and the number on the board isn't likely to be all that appealing. |
Race Summary | Lots of big-time racing today and tomorrow, but if you're like me and will be hanging around tonight to put some finishing touches on your Derby Day plans, there are a couple semi-interesting potential plays late on the card. Strong Magic got put up after the fact for his graduation win, but I think he is a sneaky good fit right back with winners. |
#2 Azzurra | I worry a bit about her recent tendency to finish underneath, but she has mostly been in tougher stakes spots, and I think she's going to find a really cozy trip tracking the speed near the inside. |
#4 My Flicker | She can be tough in here, but I am not sure her local form is quite as good as what she has turned in on larger courses like Parx or Laurel. She obviously classes up well with the locals, but I worry she's overbet based on what she can do here. Her style fits the shape. |
#3 Alpine Moon | Considered her on top and want her on the multi-race tickets, as I think she's probably capable of something better than she showed going long in stakes company last out, and she would benefit if all the forward players knocked heads early. |
Race Summary | Azzurra gets a pretty solid lean in here for me, especially if My Flicker gets bet. That one can win, but I wouldn't take her at a local price based on the strength of her efforts elsewhere. Azzurra might draft in behind the pace and get the run of the race as the second or third choice. I guess #7 Baby Man could roll these, too -- interesting race. |
#7 Voice of Now | He proved a good fit with the locals last time out, and he should get another really good go of things while racing near the pace. Price isn't going to be much here, but I think he's going to be really tough in the finale. |
#6 Flash of Day | There isn't a ton of serious speed signed on in here, and I could see him finding a decent spot early and using his one-paced style to stick around after getting first jump on the fading speed? Looking to get these top two in the picture together. |
#1 Real Rambo | His debut wasn't bad over the local footing back in January, but I'm not super thrilled to jump aboard while the continued drop down the ladder leads him to the basement tonight. Obviously wouldn't be any surprise, but I lean to standing against tonight. |
Race Summary | Think #5 Sparkling Shire has a claim on this, too, but Voice of Now probably hits hard enough to land this. He classed up well here last time out, and he might have a tiny bit of room to come forward in the second start of the season. |
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