Grade 1 Charles Town Distaff
The Charles Town Distaff, a Grade 1 test at 10 furlongs over West Virginia’s main track, looks to be a terrific race! It features two of the highest-ranked mares in the Dirt Classic division representing the same stable group (Given), the filly who just ran third to those two, and a turf star looking to cross over and show that she can also handle the dirt track at the graded-stakes level.
This should be a very interesting race; be sure to tune in! The CPU handicapper has had a lot of trouble separating these, placing only one of the runners at double-digit odds. It’s race 4659.1316.
BICHITA GRAMERA is the fifth-ranked older female Turf Classic runner, but tries the main track here for only the 2nd time in her career. The 4yo Deep Impact filly romped in an allowance in very impressive fashion for bichitos in her other dirt try with a speed only slightly lower than the best of the others here. Can she go faster if pushed as she should be in this race? Only time will tell for this 6/1 shot.
CONTROLLED POWER is one of many early-speed demons here. The 5yo Point Given mare will have plenty of company at the front of the pack, and the glbstable will need to show quite a bit more willpower to be in the picture at the end of this battle. The 6/1 price seems a bit low for this potential pace victim.
FINANCIAL EXPRESS goes off at 8/1 for icbomber5. The 4yo Monsun filly hasn’t competed well in graded stakes thus far in her career, but has a pair of strong recent wins and appears to be on a roll. Might benefit from the expected speed duel.
SS VETT got caught in midstretch by HONEYHOLT and THE WORD in the Grade 1 Catch A Fly Stakes last time out. The 4yo Empire Maker filly should be in the thick of things early again here, but the pace should be hot. The pornstar trainee gets 9/1 odds.
Yet another speedster, DEEP’N WILD AGAIN makes her graded-stakes debut for network6. The Deep Impact mare got nipped late last time out by MARIA DE HAACK after a four-race win streak, and looks to turn the tables on that one here. Of course, she has a lot more than that one to worry about in this tougher spot, and gets 8/1 odds.
HONEYHOLT is certainly on a roll, coming in here on a four-race win streak. Trained by given2, this 5yo Unbridled’s Song mare is one of a powerful pair from Given’s excellent stable group. Ranked #9 in the division after taking home the trophy in the Grade 1 Catch A Fly Stakes five weeks ago at this track, this mare seems to be improving with age like a fine wine. She gets the same rider again here, and will likely try her same mid-pack tactics. Somewhat surprisingly, she’s the second-favorite at 9/2.
MISS KEBAB adds to the phalanx of speedballs at 6/1. The dirtriot trainee, a 6yo Zabeel mare, makes only her second graded-stakes start. Toss the other graded run; it was at 16 furlongs. She’s finished well in a bunch of minor stakes races lately, but with only one win. This one has the look of a pace victim.
SHAKE THE TREE is a 5yo Belong To Me mare who will likely settle just off the speed duel and take a shot at ’em from just a few lengths off. The skynet trainee is making her graded-stakes debut, and gets 9/1 odds. Lots of questions to ask in this spot.
THE WORD is a 5yo A.P. Indy mare who chased HONEYHOLT home in the Grade 1 Catch A Fly Stakes last time out at this track. This is the “other” half of Given’s pair of entries in this race, trained by persuader. While it’s been a long time since this mare’s last Graded win, she’s still dangerous. The CPU seems to think so also, making her the tepid 4/1 favorite.
Handicap:
This race has the look of one where the speed demons will wear each other out, setting things up for the heavy hitters in the stretch.
HONEYHOLT seems to have all the aces in her hand, and should be tough to deal with.
THE WORD should charge from far back to grab the place spot.
BICHITA GRIMERA was very impressive in her one dirt try, and could prove a multi-surface star.
Good luck all!