How to bet the 2023 Charles Town Classic and Oaks
John Mucciolo shares picks and plays for the Charles Town Classic (G2) and Charles Town Oaks (G3) on Friday night at Charles Town.
Charles Town Classic (G2)
A well-matched field of 11 has been entered for the lucrative $1 million topper. While I don’t love the blinkers going back on #7 Call Me Fast (9-2), I have been impressed with his performances this campaign and will still side with the Michael Puhich trainee. The gelded son of Dialed In was runner-up in both the Ben Ali (G3) and Blame (G3) prior to making a big middle move and finishing fourth in the Cornhusker H. (G3) in his latest endeavor. Call Me Fast has trained well leading up to the Charles Town Classic and will have Joe Talamo in the stirrups.
I will also include logical contenders #2 Giant Game (5-2), Carter H. (G1) victor #4 Doppelganger (6-1), and triple Grade 3 victor #5 Skippylongstocking (3-1) for my exotics plays.
Wagers
Charles Town Oaks (G3)
An overflow field of 12 sophomore fillies will travel seven furlongs in the $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G3). The Cherie DeVaux-trained #1 Vahva (7-2) has class, gate speed, and a fine rail draw and could sit the ideal voyage with John Velazquez taking the reins. By Gun Runner, the bay miss has been very good in her one-turn races leading up to this affair, and she exits a good third in the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont Park in her most recent performance.
The classy #6 Hoosier Philly (3-1) most recently led throughout in a facile Monomoy Girl S. victory at Ellis Park for Tom Amoss. Into Mischief filly lands in a tough spot, but the distance seems ideal for her, and she possesses the athleticism to negotiate the tight turns at Charles Town beneath regular pilot Edgar Morales.
#7 Imonra (6-1) has improved with virtually every lifetime try to date and was last seen coming home a clear second in the Iowa Oaks (G3) for Saffie Joseph. The talented Violence lass has tactical speed and a strong closing kick, and she would benefit as much as any in this race if the pace is contested in the early going.
- $25 to win on #1 Vahva ($25)
- $6 Exacta: key box 1 with 6,7 ($24)
- 50-cent Trifecta: 1,6,7 with 1,6,7 with all ($24)
Total: $73
