Unlock the other 5 races on today's card, plus AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet ticket construction.

The winner is in our top 4 picks 75% of the time, across 17 tracks.

Daily Picks

Charles Town Picks & Predictions — August 21, 2026

August 21, 20268 racesAll Charles Town picks

Charles Town is open for business on a beautiful Friday evening, with partly cloudy skies and a comfortable 76°F keeping conditions about as ideal as you'll find in late August. Eight races are on the docket, all on the main dirt track, and the card has a little something for everyone — maiden claimers, straight claiming, allowance company, and the kind of mid-level optional claiming races where sharp handicappers can really dig in.

The mix of sprint distances and one route race (Race 3 stretches out to 1 1/16 miles) gives the card some variety and sets up some interesting pace scenarios. Charles Town's tight turns tend to reward horses that can get position early without burning too much fuel, so pace shape is going to matter all night long.

Best Bets

Race 1

11:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claimer where none of these horses have won, but TrackWiz ratings tell a clear story — Chance On Me grades out well above the field and looks like the class of this maiden bunch.

win7Chance On MeML 5/2

Chance On Me earns the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.81, a meaningful gap above the second-best horse, and trainer Juan Bacallao Vega sends her out with Paul A. Luna in the irons. In maiden claiming company at 7 furlongs, that rating edge is hard to ignore. The morning line of 5/2 suggests the market already respects her, but if she shows up at a price, she's our best bet in Race 1.

place2El RabanoML 8/1

El Rabano is the sneaky value play here at 8/1 on the morning line, with a TrackWiz rating of 79.17 — second-best in the field and well clear of the middle pack. Trainer Mark Joseph Racanelli puts Maximo Chilo up, and at those odds, El Rabano represents excellent place-ticket value if the top pick runs into trouble.

show5Mr SkinnyML 8/5

Mr Skinny is the morning-line favorite at 8/5, and while our rating of 76 puts him third behind Chance On Me and El Rabano, he's not without merit. Trainer Mario Roberto Lopez saddles Ronaldo Rodriguez, and the public money will likely push him even shorter — use him underneath in trifectas as a safety net.

Race 2

11:32 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

This claiming sprint has a standout on paper in Beautriz, but Stars Over Juba and Julita Bonita carry enough class and consistency to keep things honest — pace should be competitive with multiple horses capable of pressing.

win4BeautrizML 5/2

Beautriz is our top pick and it's not close on the ratings — she checks in at 87.81, the highest mark in the field by a solid margin, and her 33% career win rate is the best among today's entrants. Trainer Joan A. Reynolds puts Abnel J. Bocachica up, a useful combination at this level. At 5/2 on the morning line, she's fairly priced but not underbet — she's simply the best horse here.

place3Stars Over JubaML 3/1

Stars Over Juba rates at 70.38 with Reshawn Latchman riding for trainer Adam King, and her 11% career win rate understates her ability to hit the board. She's got the second-best average speed figure in the field at 53, matching Beautriz, which means she can keep up early and has the late kick to land a place check.

show6Julita BonitaML 4/1

Julita Bonita grades just behind Stars Over Juba at 70.28 and brings a respectable 16% career win rate to the table. Trainer Kevin J. Joy puts Victor Rodriguez up, and in a race where pace could set up for closers, Julita Bonita's profile suggests she'll be running late. Round her into your show position in exactas and trifectas.

Race 3

12:02 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

The Starter Optional Claiming route features a rare scenario where our top-rated horse isn't the morning-line favorite — Summer Vibes at 2/1 actually tops Sisyphus (7/5) by rating, setting up a potential overlay situation worth watching at the windows.

win5Summer VibesML 2/1

Summer Vibes carries the field's best TrackWiz rating at 88.54 and owns a 23% career win rate over what appears to be a solid body of work. Trainer Anthony Farrior puts Jeiron Barbosa in the saddle, and at 2/1 on the morning line, this horse is actually more attractively priced than the public chalk. The average speed figure of 54 — tops in today's field — gives Summer Vibes a legitimate pace edge going a mile and a sixteenth.

place7SisyphusML 7/5

Sisyphus is the morning-line favorite at 7/5 and rates second in the field at 81.63, with a 22% career win rate that shows steady consistency. Reshawn Latchman takes the mount for trainer Adam King, a combo that's been active at this meet. Our analysis has Sisyphus slightly behind Summer Vibes, which means if you're betting win, go with the overlay — but Sisyphus is a solid place horse at short odds.

show6Wiley WillardML 5/1

Wiley Willard is the value-show angle in this race at 5/1, with the best career win rate in the field at a remarkable 33%. Trainer Busanda C. Armstrong sends Nomar Arroyo Bueno up, and with a TrackWiz rating of 80.11 and an average speed of 53, this horse has the figures to hit the board. At 5/1, he's a legitimate trifecta piece and possibly more.

We're opening up three races for all TrackWiz readers tonight. The card kicks off with a pair of 7-furlong dirt sprints — Race 1 (Maiden Claiming) and Race 2 (Claiming) — where Chance On Me and Beautriz both check in at identical 87.81 TrackWiz ratings at matching 5/2 morning lines. That's a tight, competitive feeling right out of the gate. Then in Race 3, we get our route race of the card: a Starter Optional Claiming at 1 1/16 miles where Summer Vibes posts our highest free-race rating of 88.54 at a juicy 2/1 morning line. Route races at Charles Town can separate horses quickly on the backstretch bend, and Summer Vibes looks like she has the profile to get it done.

One angle worth watching across the free races: with a comfortable, dry evening at hand, expect track conditions to play fair and figures to hold up. No weather excuses tonight — it's going to come down to who belongs.

Send me tomorrow's free Charles Town card before post time.

Free picks in your inbox each morning. No card required, unsubscribe anytime.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

12:32 AM EDT

Allowance · 7 fur · Dirt

Allowance company at 7 furlongs brings a more competitive field, but Collecting Angels stands out from a ratings standpoint — the question is whether the chalk can be faded with Thelastbulletsmine lurking at a generous price.

win3Collecting AngelsML 4/1

Collecting Angels posts the field's top TrackWiz rating at 85.62 with a 22% career win rate, and trainer Tyler S. Shanley puts Sunday Diaz Jr. in the irons. The 4/1 morning line is fair value in allowance company where class separates horses — and the average speed of 53 matches the field's best. If Collecting Angels runs to her rating, she should be in the mix at every point of call.

place6ThelastbulletsmineML 5/1

Thelastbulletsmine is the value horse in this race, grading at 79.35 with the field's best average speed figure at 54 — meaning she can apply pressure on the front end and force rivals to chase. Trainer Michael V. Simone sends Arnaldo Bocachica out at 5/1 morning line odds, which represents real value for a horse with legitimate figures. Don't let the price scare you off — she's a legit place contender.

show2Full of CharmML 3/1

Full of Charm rates at 59.76 and carries a 16% career win rate, modest numbers but enough to land a board check in a field where a pace duel could open the door. Trainer Lewis E. Craig Jr. puts Julio Jorge up at a 3/1 morning line, and if Collecting Angels and Thelastbulletsmine burn each other up on the front end, Full of Charm could be picking up the pieces in the lane.

Race 5

1:02 AM EDT

Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A short sprint at 4½ furlongs in claiming company where early speed is king — Chelsea's Dream and Remy's Top Gun figure to get out fast, and whoever controls the early fractions from the inside-out could be very tough to catch.

win4Chelsea's DreamML 3/1

Chelsea's Dream tops our ratings at 87.08 and draws the four hole, which sets up nicely for tracking the early pace in a short sprint. Trainer Timothy Shanley saddles Moises Santaella, and with a 15% career win rate, this horse knows how to finish. At 3/1 on the morning line, Chelsea's Dream is fairly bet but still represents solid value as our top selection at the distance.

place3Remy's Top GunML 4/1

Remy's Top Gun rates second in the field at 80.05 and brings a 20% career win rate — a nice combination of ratings strength and proven form. Trainer Ronney W. Brown sends Nomar Arroyo Bueno out at 4/1, and in a race that figures to be decided in the first few jumps, this horse's average speed of 52 suggests she can compete from the start. A solid place play at a fair price.

show1VissimML 7/2

Vissim is interesting at 7/2 morning line with the field's best career win rate at 28% — that's a horse who knows how to finish in the money. Trainer David Walters puts Jose Y. Diaz up, and even without an average speed on file, that 28% career win rate demands respect in claiming company. Round Vissim into your exactas and trifectas as a reliable show anchor.

Race 6

1:32 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

I'm Not Catty dominates this Allowance Optional Claiming field on paper, but Coronation Time and Uncle Cat provide enough depth to make the exacta and trifecta boxes worth constructing — this race has a clear top but a wide-open underneath.

win2I'm Not CattyML 5/2

I'm Not Catty is our strongest play of the evening with a top TrackWiz rating of 87.81 and a career win rate of 37% — the best in today's full card by a considerable margin. Trainer Ronney W. Brown saddles Moises Santaella, and both horse and connections are running in excellent form. At 5/2 on the morning line, the price is honest — this horse is simply better than everyone else in this spot.

place3Coronation TimeML 5/1

Coronation Time makes for a logical place play at 5/1, rating at 75.01 with a solid 20% career win rate. It's worth noting that trainer Ronney W. Brown also trains I'm Not Catty — when a barn doubles up in a race, the second horse often hits the board as the stable has a pair of live ones. Nomar Arroyo Bueno takes the call, and the 5/1 price could be a gift.

show6Uncle CatML 7/2

Uncle Cat brings the best average speed figure in the field at 54 and rates at 64.24 with a 16% career win rate. Trainer Shane Meyers puts Arnaldo Bocachica up at 7/2, and that speed figure edge could be decisive if the pace collapses from the front. Use Uncle Cat as your show leg in trifectas and look for him to pick up a piece in the stretch.

Race 7

2:02 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A competitive Allowance Optional Claiming affair where Shewonttalktome holds a clear ratings edge, but Professor Grace poses a serious threat from a prime post — the inside-outside matchup between these two figures to shape the race.

win5ShewonttalktomeML 3/1

Shewonttalktome tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 with a 23% career win rate and an average speed of 53, matching the field's best. Trainer Ronald G. Sigler puts Denis Vicente Araujo up at 3/1 morning line odds, and interestingly, Sigler also trains Jubaslilballerina in this same race — when a barn doubles up in allowance company, their top-rated runner often gets the prime effort. This is the one to beat.

place4Professor GraceML 5/2

Professor Grace checks in at 76.87 with a 20% career win rate and draws the four post, which is a prime spot in a 7-furlong race at Charles Town. Trainer Michael Sandoval sends Maximo Chilo out at 5/2 on the morning line — a price that suggests market respect. If Shewonttalktome gets into any trouble early, Professor Grace has the rating and the post position to capitalize.

show7Lona LeeML 6/1

Lona Lee is the value angle underneath at 6/1 morning line with a 22% career win rate — better than most of the field. Trainer Kristy Petty, who also trains Petty Perfect in this race, puts Antonio Lopez up, and the 62.84 rating suggests a horse capable of sneaking into the trifecta. At 6/1, Lona Lee is worth including in your exotic wagers as a show anchor.

Race 8

2:32 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 7 fur · Dirt

This Maiden Special Weight finale features a fascinating upset scenario — morning-line favorite McDougal and second choice I Hop Alot are both outrated by Golden Boss Man, who gets significantly overlooked at 9/2 in what shapes up as a juicy overlay opportunity.

win2Golden Boss ManML 9/2

Golden Boss Man is our top pick and the value play of the race at 9/2 morning line — he earns the field's best TrackWiz rating at 84.9 while the two horses getting more public support (McDougal and I Hop Alot) rate well below him. Trainer Ronney W. Brown, who has been active throughout today's card, puts Nomar Arroyo Bueno up — a proven combination at this level. An average speed of 52 gives him solid early positioning, and if he runs anywhere close to his rating, the 9/2 price will look like a bargain.

place7I Hop AlotML 9/5

I Hop Alot is the morning-line second choice at 9/5 and rates at 67.45 — notably below Golden Boss Man but a solid figure in maiden company. Trainer Kristy Gazzier puts Julio Jorge in the irons, and the average speed of 52 keeps her in contention pace-wise. She'll likely get heavy public support, so the place return may be thin, but she has the figures to finish on the board.

show4Foolish RabbitML 8/1

Foolish Rabbit is an interesting show play at 8/1, rating at 59.49 with an average speed of 52 that puts her right in the thick of the pace scenario. Trainer Tonya M. O'Neill sends Victor Rodriguez out, and in maiden special weight races where debut horses sometimes struggle to replicate workout figures, a horse with existing form lines like Foolish Rabbit can sneak into the trifecta at a fat price. Worth including underneath at the 8/1 morning line.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

Tonight at Charles Town, Summer Vibes is our marquee free-race selection in the route, while Chance On Me and Beautriz headline the early sprints. The weather is cooperating, the track should be playing fair, and there's real value to be found across this eight-race card if you know where to look. Subscribers get the full picture — pace projections, exotic ticket breakdowns, and every angle on Races 4 through 8. Let's have a night.

← All Charles Town picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 8 races free