Daily Picks

Charles Town Picks & Predictions — July 24, 2026

Friday, July 24, 20269 racesCharles Town

Charles Town is open for business on Friday, July 24, sending out a full 9-race card under cloudy skies and a comfortable 77°F. Conditions look favorable for fast dirt racing — no rain in the picture, and that kind of mild summer evening at the Charles Town oval tends to keep the strip honest and consistent throughout the night.

All nine races are run on the dirt, ranging from a 4½-furlong sprint opener all the way up to a two-turn mile and a sixteenth in Race 4. That variety makes tonight a solid card for multi-race wager builders — you've got speed-favoring sprints, a classic route, and a strong closer in Race 9 to anchor your sequences.

TrackWiz has full analysis on all 9 races. The first three are on the house — free best bets for every reader. Races 4 through 9 are available to subscribers, and trust us, tonight's premium half of the card is where the real value is hiding.

Best Bets

Race 1

11:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming opener where the TrackWiz ratings create a clear top tier — but with everyone at zero career wins, the question is who steps up first at seven furlongs.

win8JakerML 9/5

Jaker is the standout in this field by a wide margin, carrying a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 that towers over everyone else in the field. His average speed figure of 53 is the best in the race, and the morning line of 9/5 suggests the market already sees what we see. Trainer Ronney W. Brown sends him out with Moises Santaella in the irons, a jockey who knows how to handle favorites under pressure. At seven furlongs on dirt, Jaker's edge in raw ability should give him enough runway to get clear.

place6KukaiML 5/1

Kukai draws in at 5/1 with a rating of 65.83, slotting in solidly as the second-best horse on paper in this spot. Trainer Michael E. Jones, Jr. puts J.D. Acosta up, a reliable combination at Charles Town. Even if Jaker dominates up front, Kukai profiles as a steady presence that should be around the board in a weak maiden claiming field.

show7Roux BucherroML 2/1

Roux Bucherro is the morning-line second choice at 2/1 with a TrackWiz rating of 61.88, which makes him interesting as a show play but somewhat overbet for win purposes given the gap to Jaker. Trainer Kevin Boykins uses Joe Stokes, and the horse's rating separation from the rest of the middle pack is meaningful. He's a logical exotic partner with the top two, especially in trifecta boxes.

Race 2

11:32 PM EDT

Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

This 4.5-furlong dirt sprint features a pair of legitimate contenders near the top of the TrackWiz ratings, with a 25% career winner lurking at a juicy price — expect a fast early pace scenario that could shake things up.

win5Dio Double GeeML 9/2

Dio Double Gee is our top selection here, posting a 84.90 TrackWiz rating and a stellar 25% career win rate — the best in this field. Trainer Kelly Lynn Deiter sends him out with Sunday Diaz, Jr., and at 9/2 on the morning line, there's genuine value in this pick relative to his credentials. His average speed figure of 54 matches the upper tier of this group, and his record suggests he converts opportunities, not just contends.

place3Big Mo GeeML 6/1

Big Mo Gee draws in with a 74.85 rating and that 54 average speed figure, putting him right in the mix with our top selection on the speed front. Trainer Timothy Shanley teams with Abnel J. Bocachica, and at 6/1 morning line, there's some overlay potential here. His career win rate of 8% is modest, but the raw figures say he belongs in the exacta.

show8Excitable BoyML 9/5

Excitable Boy is listed at 9/5 as the morning-line chalk, but his rating of 73.13 actually trails Dio Double Gee — making him a potential overlay for win bettors but a solid show hedge. He's got the best average speed figure in the field at 55, so he clearly has the tactical ability to run a big race at this sprint distance. Under Jose Y. Diaz for trainer Timothy Shanley, he's a natural trifecta inclusion.

Race 3

12:02 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden special weight sprint at 4.5 furlongs with most horses showing no speed figures — this is essentially a debut showcase where pedigree and trainer form will carry extra weight.

win5Calvin's RunML 2/1

Calvin's Run checks in as the morning-line favorite at 2/1 with the top TrackWiz rating of 58.33 in this field — a slim edge, but an edge nonetheless. Trainer Jeff C. Runco is one of the more respected conditioners at Charles Town, and pairing him with Arnaldo Bocachica is a savvy move. In a field where speed figures are largely unavailable, backing the Runco barn in a 2/1 spot makes handicapping sense — this operation doesn't send out favorites without reason.

place10Crystal VeilML 5/2

Crystal Veil shares a 57.50 rating with Jack Carson and is co-installed at 5/2 on the morning line. Trainer Anthony Farrior puts Jeiron Barbosa aboard, giving this filly a capable pilot in a short sprint. With no prior speed figures to lean on across most of this field, the morning line consensus around this pair makes them the safest place-ticket anchors.

show11Jack CarsonML 5/2

Jack Carson is the other 5/2 shot with the same 57.50 rating, trained by Jeff C. Runco — giving the Runco barn a one-two entry punch in this race. Arnaldo Bocachica will be on Calvin's Run, but Runco clearly respects both horses enough to enter them simultaneously, which is a meaningful trainer signal. Including Jack Carson in the show and trifecta slots makes sense as a stable mate insurance play.

The free portion of tonight's card gives you a nice cross-section of what Charles Town serves up. Race 1 is a maiden claimer going 7 furlongs, and our top-rated horse Jaker (88.83 TrackWiz rating, 9/5 morning line) is the one to beat — that's a strong number for this level. Race 2 flips the script to a 4½-furlong sprint, where Dio Double Gee catches our eye as a potential overlay at 9/2 on the morning line. And Race 3 is a maiden special weight over the same short sprint distance, where Calvin's Run opens as the 2/1 favorite and carries our top mark for the field.

One thing connecting these early races: Charles Town's short-stretch layout rewards horses that break alertly and establish position. Keep that pace angle in mind — horses that can get to the front or sit just off a pressured pace have a distinct structural edge here, especially in those 4½-furlong dashes where there's almost no margin for error out of the gate.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

12:32 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

The allowance optional claiming field features a genuine class standout at the top of the ratings, but the chalk is surprisingly short — creating a setup where the value plays underneath deserve serious consideration.

win4I'm Not CattyML 9/5

I'm Not Catty enters with the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.83, and a 42% career win rate that is simply elite for this level of competition. Trainer Anthony Farrior teams up with Moises Santaella, and at 9/5 on the morning line, you're getting a horse whose numbers justify favoritism. The 1 1/16-mile distance on dirt is the longest test on tonight's card, and her 53 average speed figure gives her the late kick to handle the extra ground.

place3Nate the GreatML 6/5

Nate the Great is the morning-line co-favorite at 6/5 — actually shorter odds than our win pick — with a 81.71 rating and a 39% career win rate that puts him firmly in the elite tier. Trainer Michael E. Jones, Jr. deploys Denis Vicente Araujo, a strong booking at this track. The gap between him and I'm Not Catty is narrow on paper, and he's a natural place-ticket anchor in a two-horse race at the top.

show1Formal AffairML 6/1

Formal Affair offers the best value underneath at 6/1 on the morning line, with a 57.93 rating and a 15% career win rate that's respectable at the allowance level. Trainer Anthony Farrior runs him alongside I'm Not Catty, meaning the barn clearly has confidence in both entries. J.D. Acosta rides, and at the price, Formal Affair makes an excellent show bet and trifecta component if the top two underperform at this demanding mile-and-sixteenth trip.

Race 5

1:02 AM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Peaceful Union dominates the TrackWiz ratings in a seven-furlong claiming field, but the morning-line favorite is Worries Unfounded — creating an interesting disconnect between the metrics and the market.

win1Peaceful UnionML 4/1

Peaceful Union posts a field-best 85.62 TrackWiz rating and goes at 4/1 morning line, which represents real value given how wide the gap is between him and the rest of the field. Trainer Tyler S. Shanley puts Denis Vicente Araujo in the saddle, a capable pairing for this distance. His 52 average speed figure is solid for a seven-furlong dirt sprint, and if he gets a comfortable setup early, he has the raw numbers to wire this field.

place7Worries UnfoundedML 9/5

Worries Unfounded is the 9/5 morning-line choice despite a 67.63 rating that actually trails our win pick by a significant margin — the market may be overrating him slightly. That said, trainer Emanuel J. Geralis sends out Arnaldo Bocachica, and a 7% career win rate doesn't disqualify him from hitting the board. His 52 average speed figure keeps him competitive, and he's the most logical place-ticket partner with Peaceful Union.

show6Gogo's MojoML 3/1

Gogo's Mojo is listed at 3/1 with a 61.74 rating and a 14% career win rate, giving him enough credentials to sneak into the exotics. Trainer Ollie L. Figgins III uses Sunday Diaz, Jr., who is active on tonight's card and knows this circuit well. In a field where the top few horses are bunched, Gogo's Mojo is a natural third-slot inclusion for exacta and trifecta plays.

Race 6

1:32 AM EDT

Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

Dadsnumbronehelpr carries a dominant rating into a 4.5-furlong claiming sprint, but the morning line has the 9/5 favorite George as the public's choice — fade the chalk and trust the numbers here.

win6DadsnumbronehelprML 5/1

Dadsnumbronehelpr tops the TrackWiz ratings at 84.17 and goes at a fair 5/1 on the morning line, making him the value play of the race. Trainer Owen Garber puts Abnel J. Bocachica aboard, and a 21% career win rate gives this horse a proven track record of converting. The sprint distance at 4.5 furlongs should suit his profile, and the rating edge over the field is the clearest separation we've seen on tonight's card at this price.

place7GeorgeML 9/5

George is the morning-line favorite at 9/5 with a 71.22 rating and a matching 21% career win rate — he's legitimate, just not as strong on the numbers as our top pick. Trainer David Walters sends out Jeiron Barbosa, who has had plenty of work tonight. George is a natural place-ticket inclusion and a solid exacta partner with Dadsnumbronehelpr for those willing to reverse.

show8King KontieML 8/1

King Kontie rounds out the trifecta with a 65.61 rating, a 17% career win rate, and the best average speed figure in the field at 54 — that last number is worth noting in a short sprint where raw early speed matters most. Trainer Jaime Cruz deploys Maximo Chilo, and at 8/1, this horse offers genuine overlay value for show bettors and trifecta players. Don't overlook the speed figure edge in a 4.5-furlong dash.

Race 7

2:02 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

The 6.5-furlong claiming feature has a clear top-rated horse that the morning line has priced generously — when the numbers and the odds diverge like this, it's worth paying attention.

win8ManseeyaswayML 6/1

Manseeyasway carries the field-best TrackWiz rating of 82.71 into this spot while going off at 6/1 on the morning line — that's a meaningful discrepancy and our best value angle of the race. Trainer David Walters uses Jeiron Barbosa, who has been busy all night and clearly trusts this horse's ability. His 54 average speed figure is tied for tops in this field, and at 6.5 furlongs, that early zip combined with his overall rating suggests he can get to the front and stay there.

place7Mexicali MikeML 5/1

Mexicali Mike checks in with a 71.31 rating and an impressive 20% career win rate — the best in this field among horses with meaningful starts. Trainer Jeff C. Runco sends out Jahnxander Raspaldo at 5/1, and this combination has the tools to carve out a piece. His 53 average speed figure keeps him competitive throughout the trip, and he's a natural exacta partner underneath Manseeyasway.

show5Powered by LoveML 4/1

Powered by Love offers a 64.04 rating, a 13% career win rate, and a 53 average speed figure at 4/1 on the morning line. Trainer Kevin J. Joy puts Nomar Arroyo Bueno aboard, a jockey who has been active and effective on tonight's card. As the third-ranked horse on the TrackWiz ratings, Powered by Love is a sensible show bet and trifecta anchor for those looking to cover their bases.

Race 8

2:32 AM EDT

Allowance · 7 fur · Dirt

The allowance feature at seven furlongs has a dominant top-rated horse at a reasonable price, but the depth of this field — including a 25% career winner at 9/2 — makes the exotics genuinely interesting.

win7Edy's FlameML 8/5

Edy's Flame is the standout of the night's card, posting a 89.12 TrackWiz rating and an eye-opening 40% career win rate that speaks for itself at the allowance level. Trainer Anthony Farrior puts Jeiron Barbosa up, and this barn-jockey combination has the tools to handle a seven-furlong dirt sprint with authority. At 8/5 morning line, she's not a longshot value play, but her numbers are dominant enough to justify confidence — this is a strong best-bet selection.

place5Marilyn MoonroeML 3/1

Marilyn Moonroe enters at 3/1 with a 71.40 rating and a solid 21% career win rate, making her the most credible threat to our top pick. Trainer Javier Contreras sends out Arnaldo Bocachica, a capable combination at this distance. Her 53 average speed figure puts her in the mix for the board, and at 3/1, she's an excellent exacta partner and place-ticket anchor.

show3Full of CharmML 4/1

Full of Charm rounds out the trifecta at 4/1 morning line with a 60.03 rating and a 17% career win rate. Trainer Lewis E. Craig, Jr. uses Julio Jorge, and while Full of Charm trails the top two on the numbers, her average speed figure of 52 keeps her competitive throughout the trip. At 4/1, she's a fair price for the show spot and a natural trifecta inclusion in what figures to be a competitive allowance finish.

Race 9

3:02 AM EDT

Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

The nightcap is a 4.5-furlong claiming sprint that features the highest-rated horse on the entire card — a 50% career winner who towers over this field and will be very tough to beat.

win6Cuz Ur PrettyML 6/5

Cuz Ur Pretty is simply in a class of her own tonight, posting a field-best TrackWiz rating of 89.71 paired with an extraordinary 50% career win rate — one of the most dominant profiles you'll see on a Tuesday card. Trainer Anthony Farrior puts Carlos Eduardo Lopez in the irons, and her average speed figure of 56 is the second-best in the field, only trailing her stablemate Beautiful Crazy. At 6/5 morning line, you're not getting value, but you are getting the most reliable win selection on tonight's card — sometimes you just have to back the best horse.

place5Beautiful CrazyML 9/2

Beautiful Crazy is the second-best horse on both the TrackWiz ratings (74.75) and the speed figures (57 average — best in the field), making her a strong place-ticket play at 9/2. Trainer Michael E. Jones, Jr. sends out J.D. Acosta, a top-tier booking for a horse who clearly has the ability to run a big number. Her speed figure edge could matter in a short sprint if Cuz Ur Pretty doesn't fire at her peak.

show10Cherokee CastleML 10/1

Cherokee Castle is our show selection at 10/1 on the morning line with a 74.23 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate — respectable credentials in this spot. Trainer Anthony M. Rideoutt II uses Reshawn Latchman, and while Cherokee Castle's average speed figure isn't available in the data, the rating alone puts her third on the TrackWiz board. At double-digit odds, she's a prime trifecta component and a genuine overlay in the show pool.

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Tonight at Charles Town it's a clean, 9-race all-dirt card with playable spots from the jump. Jaker, Dio Double Gee, and Calvin's Run headline the free best bets to get you started. For the full picture — pace projections, exotic tickets, and our takes on Edy's Flame and Cuz Ur Pretty — the complete analysis is available to TrackWiz subscribers. Good luck tonight, and as always, bet smart.

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