Charles Town is really making moves to get top horses to their track. What better way to do that then to card a $1 million handicap race for older horses? The Charles Town Classic at the distance of 9 furlongs over the bull ring track is worth a whopping $1 million. A field of ten of the best older horses will try and take down the lions share of that $1 million. Let’s take a look at the field and try and pick a winner. Before we do that I would like to note that two time defending winner Researcher is on the AE list. This is absolutely unfair and I hope the track reconsiders their drawing methods into the future.
#1 No Advantage- Don’t let that Grade 2 win at Laurel two races back fool you. It was a very weak field. He is very unlikely to get the distance and I will not use him.
#2 Tackleberry- He just doesn’t seem to lose. His latest wins in the Sunshine Millions Classic, Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship and Gulfstream Park Handicap proved that he is a very serious graded stakes contender. I’m a bit concerned about how he will do away from Gulfstream though. I’ll give him a big shot anyway. Look for him to be on the lead until he can’t hold them off any longer or hits the wire first.
#3 Tizway- His ideal distance is a mile, but I don’t see any reason why he cant go an extra furlong here. Last year he won the Kelso Handicap by 5 and was only a neck behind Tackleberry in third last out in the Gulfstream Park Handicap. Look for him just off the pace. The son of Tiznow has as good a shot as anyone in this race to win.
#4 Acclamation- I wonder if he can take to the dirt surface because all of his best races have been on turf. He won two graded races last year including the Grade 1 Charlie Whittingham Memorial. Look for him to be near the front under hot shot young jockey Christian Santiago-Reyes.
#5 Rule- He isn’t at his best going long. Not only that, but I think he is headed the wrong direction. On the bright side he had success over the bull ring track at Delta Downs where he won the Delta Jackpot in 2009.
#6 Inherit The Gold- The NY bred has won 5 in a row including the Grade 3 Excelsior last out. Switching to two turn races has really done the trick for him. The son of Gold Token is back on two weeks rest, but that shouldn’t bother him. Word has it he is kicking the barn down and is ready to roll. Expect him to be mid pack under jockey Eddie Castro. I’m making him my top pick to win.
#7 Gone Astray- Nice colt, but he is a cut below the best in here in terms of class. Not only that, but he hasn’t raced since November. I can’t endorse him.
#8 Duke of Mischief- This colt could really be any kind. On his best day he can win this without a problem, but he only runs huge races once in a while. I would be a little afraid to leave him off my tickets.
#9 Awesome Gem- Was second in this race last year and ended up winning the Hollywood Gold Cup two starts later. Since then he has regressed and I have to think the eight-year-old gelding might finally be showing some wear. He would have to do a complete 180 from his last race where he was third in allowance company.
#10 Game On Dude- He is favored here and for good reason. The son of Awesome Again was last seen winning the Santa Anita Handicap in which he survived a lengthy inquiry by the stewards. Bull ring champion rider David Flores gets the mount and that will really help him out. Will be no shock if he runs strong here.
So there you have it. My top selection to win the Charles Town Classic is Inherit The Gold. After him I like Tizway, Game On Dude and Tackleberry in that order. Who do you like?
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