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Charles Town Picks & Predictions — August 27, 2026

August 27, 20268 racesAll Charles Town picks

This card ran on August 27, 2026.

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Best bets at Charles Town, August 27, 2026

Race 12PettyisaspettydoesML 9/57:00 PM EDT

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Last 30 days at Charles Town: our top pick won 22 of 64 races (34%) and finished in the money in 47.

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Happy Thursday at Charles Town, where a comfortable 76°F afternoon with partly cloudy skies sets the stage for an 8-race all-dirt card. Conditions look about as good as it gets at the mountain oval — no rain concerns, no track maintenance headaches, just solid footing and fast horses.

Today's card is a nice mix of Maiden Claimers, straight Claimers, and a heavy dose of Allowance company, which means competitive fields and some genuine class questions to sort out. Distances range from the lightning-quick 4½-furlong sprints that Charles Town is famous for all the way out to a route at 1 1/16 miles — plenty of variety to keep you engaged from first post to last.

Our TrackWiz models ran the full card and came away with some strong opinions, including a pair of 4/1 overlay plays and a few spots where the morning line looks downright generous. Let's break it down.

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Race 1

7:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claimer where two Runco trainees draw plenty of early attention, but the morning-line second choice owns a significant rating edge that's hard to ignore at 6 1/2 furlongs.

win2PettyisaspettydoesML 9/5

Pettyisaspettydoes posts the highest TrackWiz rating in this field at 70.83 — a meaningful gap over the rest of the competition — and Jose Y. Diaz gets the call from the barn of Timothy Shanley. Laid in at 9/5 on the morning line, this is the kind of maiden claimer where a clear form advantage tends to hold up, and the 6 1/2-furlong distance suits horses who can find a comfortable position early and sustain it. All six horses in here are winless, but the rating separation here is real.

place5Maybeitwas MemphisML 8/5

Maybeitwas Memphis is the other half of the Jeff Runco barn entry and draws the second-best rating in the field at 59.00. Runco is one of the most active trainers at Charles Town, and having two horses in the same race gives him a live pace scenario — one can set fractions while the other stalks. Worth including underneath in exactas.

show6Contra CostaML 2/1

Contra Costa, the 2/1 morning-line shot from the same Runco barn, pairs nicely with stablemate Maybeitwas Memphis in exotic plays. With a rating of 58.33 and jockey Nomar Arroyo Bueno aboard — one of the busier riders on this circuit — this horse is dangerous enough to land in the exacta or trifecta even if the top two come from outside the barn.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

7:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

A claiming route where Head Lad's elite career win percentage sets him apart, but White Series posts the sharpest speed figures in the field and makes this a genuine two-horse battle worth watching closely.

win6Head LadML 4/1

Head Lad leads all horses in this field with a 25% career win rate — the kind of consistency that matters in a claiming route — and his TrackWiz rating of 85.62 tops the board. Trainer Ronney W. Brown puts Moises Santaella in the irons, a reliable combination on the Charles Town circuit. At 4/1 on the morning line, there's real value here if Head Lad can control or sit near the pace at 1 1/16 miles.

place3White SeriesML 2/1

White Series has the best average speed figure (53) in this field and the top rating (84.52) among horses with published speed data, which makes him the primary pace threat to our top pick. Trainer Phillip Capuano sends him out with Jeiron Barbosa, and at 2/1, White Series is a deserving second choice — he's the horse most likely to run Head Lad down if the favorite gets loose on the front end.

show1Formal AffairML 5/2

Formal Affair comes in with a 73.75 rating and matches the field average on career win percentage at 15%. Nomar Arroyo Bueno is a busy and effective rider here, and trainer Anthony Farrior's 5/2 morning line on this horse suggests the connections feel they have a live shot. A solid show play and a key horse in trifecta construction.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

The first three races are on the house. Race 1 is a Maiden Claiming sprint at 6½ furlongs, where Pettyisaspettydoes (9/5 ML, TrackWiz rating 70.83) earns our top spot — a solid figure for maiden company at this level. Race 2 stretches out to the mile-and-a-sixteenth route, and Head Lad (4/1 ML, rating 85.62) stands out as a genuine value play; that price looks inflated for a horse posting a rating in the mid-80s. Race 3 is a short-field sprint where Good Intentions (4/1 ML, rating 85.62) matches Head Lad's figure and represents similar overlay value in Allowance company.

A thread connecting all three free races: Charles Town's tight, bullring layout heavily rewards tactical speed — horses that can settle just off a contested pace and pounce in the stretch. Keep that in mind as you watch the early fractions. If the pace collapses, closers can steal one, but historically at this track, the rail and inside paths hold up well on fair-weather days like today.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

7:57 PM EDT

Allowance · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

Short and fast at 4 1/2 furlongs, this allowance sprint features a tight three-way battle at the top of the ratings — but one horse has the edge in our model despite not being the morning-line favorite.

win5Good IntentionsML 4/1

Good Intentions leads all comers with a TrackWiz rating of 85.62 and gets the call with Reshawn Latchman in the irons for trainer Anthony M. Rideoutt II. Priced at 4/1 on the morning line — longer than the 9/5 chalk — this is the kind of overlay our analysis gravitates toward in allowance company. The short 4 1/2-furlong distance rewards horses who break sharply and hit the ground running, and Good Intentions profiles as exactly that type.

place3CharlieniteML 9/5

Charlienite is the public's 9/5 favorite and posts a solid 82.19 rating to back up that status. Trainer Cynthia E. McKee's pupil has a 9% career win rate in allowance conditions, and Denis Vicente Araujo has the experience to navigate Charles Town's tight turns. A solid place play, and not a horse you want to leave out of the exacta.

show1Mille ParoleML 9/2

Mille Parole is an interesting show play at 9/2 — posting a 78.76 rating that makes her the third-best rated runner in the field. Trainer Joseph Pyke sends out Jose Y. Diaz, and while a 7% career win rate isn't flashy, the rating suggests this horse is closer to the leaders than the odds imply. Worth a spot in the trifecta.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 4

8:25 PM EDT

Allowance · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

The heavy morning-line favorite gets upset in our model — Crystal Knight's rating and win percentage make a compelling case to take on the 3/5 chalk in this short allowance sprint.

win2Crystal KnightML 5/2

Crystal Knight rates out at 84.06 — best in the field — and carries a 33% career win rate, which is exceptional by any measure. Arnaldo Bocachica climbs aboard for trainer Busanda C. Armstrong, and at 5/2 on the morning line, this is a case where our top-rated horse is also underpriced relative to the favorite. In a 4 1/2-furlong sprint, early speed and class win races, and Crystal Knight checks both boxes.

place1Wall ArtML 3/5

Wall Art comes in as the heavy 3/5 public choice and backs up that status with a 28% career win rate and an average speed figure of 54 — tied for best in the field. Trainer Ronney W. Brown and jockey Nomar Arroyo Bueno are a reliable combo at Charles Town. If Crystal Knight can't hold her off, Wall Art will almost certainly be on the board.

show6Juanita MychiquitaML 12/1

Juanita Mychiquita is the hidden value of this race — a 12/1 morning-line price on a horse with a 33% career win rate and an average speed figure of 54. Those are elite numbers for this level, and trainer Linda Dollinger-Stehr keeps Moises Santaella in the saddle. This is a horse who could easily exceed her odds and makes for a tasty trifecta ticket at double-digit morning-line prices.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 5

8:53 PM EDT

Allowance · 7 fur · Dirt

The deepest field on tonight's card — ten horses going seven furlongs — but Saint Paddy's Day holds a clear rating edge and has the profile of a horse who can get to the front and stay there.

win8Saint Paddy's DayML 7/2

Saint Paddy's Day leads this ten-horse field with a TrackWiz rating of 86.35 and a 25% career win rate, which is strong in open allowance company. Trainer Ronney W. Brown — who also saddles Wall Art in Race 4 — puts Moises Santaella on board, and this pair has been effective at the Charles Town mile-and-change distances. At 7/2 on the morning line, Saint Paddy's Day is fairly priced but offers legitimate winning upside in what shapes up as a competitive seven-furlong sprint.

place10ScreaminvengeanceML 4/1

Screaminvengeance gets Denis Vicente Araujo and a morning-line of 4/1, backed by a solid 80.40 rating and a 14% career win rate. Trainer Ryan A. Gillespie's runner posts an average speed figure of 53 — in line with the top contenders — and as a horse likely to sit off the pace in a large field, he's well-positioned to pick up pieces late. A strong place play.

show3Trust the ClimbML 9/2

Trust the Climb rounds out our top three at 9/2 with a 71.25 rating and a 20% career win rate — reliable enough numbers to merit a spot in the trifecta. Reshawn Latchman rides for trainer Michael E. Jones, Jr., and with an average speed figure of 52, this horse projects as a stalker who could sneak into the money if the pace scenario sets up right in a large field.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 6

9:21 PM EDT

Allowance · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

Penguin's Pride is a near-standout in this allowance sprint — a 66% career win rate is startling at any level, and our model agrees with the public that this horse is in a class of its own tonight.

win7Penguin's PrideML 9/5

Penguin's Pride owns a 66% career win rate — the highest of any horse on tonight's card — and tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.83. Trainer Jeff C. Runco sends Arnaldo Bocachica to ride, one of the steadier partnerships at Charles Town, and the 9/5 morning line reflects how much respect this horse commands. In a 4 1/2-furlong sprint, a horse with that kind of winning pedigree and a field-best rating is your most reliable win play on the card.

place4Malibu SonML 4/1

Malibu Son rates out at 74.05 and carries a 25% career win rate for trainer Timothy C. Grams, who also has Fiber Rocks entered in this race. Larry C. Reynolds gets the mount and the 4/1 morning line suggests the barn has confidence. An average speed figure of 52 keeps him honest, but he's the most credible threat to Penguin's Pride and a strong place play.

show2TheycallhimgoldieML 8/1

Theycallhimgoldie is a sneaky show play at 8/1 — Nomar Arroyo Bueno hops on for trainer Anthony M. Rideoutt II, and an 18% career win rate is perfectly respectable for this level. An average speed figure of 52 puts him squarely in the pace mix, and at 8/1, he offers trifecta value if the favorite does her thing and Malibu Son follows. Don't leave him off your tickets.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 7

9:49 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

An allowance optional claimer at 4 1/2 furlongs that looks like a two-horse show at the top, with The Big Lep's elite career win percentage and strong rating making him difficult to get away from.

win2The Big LepML 4/1

The Big Lep posts a 55% career win rate — remarkable for any level of racing — and a TrackWiz rating of 85.62. Trainer Anthony Farrior sends Jeiron Barbosa to ride, and the 4/1 morning line feels like a gift given those numbers. In a short sprint where class and sheer winning ability often shine through, The Big Lep stands out as the most accomplished horse in this field.

place5Time to RockML 3/1

Time to Rock is absolutely worth noting — a 50% career win rate is jaw-dropping, and the 3/1 morning line reflects trainer Stacey R. Viands' confidence. Jose Montano gets the call, and while the rating of 70.94 trails The Big Lep, that win percentage suggests this horse finds the wire consistently. He's the most dangerous challenger to our top pick and should be on every ticket.

show9SummerstateofmindML 10/1

Summerstateofmind draws a 10/1 morning line but posts a 62.45 rating — the third-best in the field — and a 15% career win rate with trainer Michelle R. Wilson. Angel Cruz takes the mount, and in a race where the top two may press each other hard, a closer with a solid rating could sneak up for the show spot. A value play worth including in trifectas.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 8

10:17 PM EDT

Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

The public will lean heavily on the 3/5 morning-line favorite in this claiming sprint, but our model sees a potential upset brewing — Talkin Pharoah's win percentage and rating make a strong case to take a shot against the chalk.

win2Talkin PharoahML 5/1

Talkin Pharoah is our top play here and it's not hard to see why — a 42% career win rate is extraordinary at the claiming level, and a TrackWiz rating of 84.17 leads this field. Trainer Michael E. Jones, Jr. hands the reins to Reshawn Latchman, who has been active and effective on the Charles Town circuit. At 5/1 on the morning line while the field keys off the favorite, this could be the best value on tonight's card.

place7Shea D WorldML 3/5

Shea D World is the 3/5 favorite and posts a solid 79.16 rating to justify that status. Angel Cruz rides for trainer Jean L. Adorno, and an average speed figure of 51 puts this horse squarely in the pace conversation. If Talkin Pharoah gets up to win, Shea D World almost certainly lands in second — the 3/5 chalk is a solid place play even if you're using our top pick on top.

show4Gold FiberML 10/1

Gold Fiber is an interesting show play at 10/1 — trainer Miguel Ramos Agosto's runner carries a 25% career win rate, which is meaningful in a claiming field at this level. Javier Rivera gets the mount, and though we don't have a speed figure to lean on, the career win rate and rating of 68.74 suggest this horse is capable on the right day. A live longshot for trifecta purposes.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

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Charles Town is serving up a clean, competitive Thursday card with ideal weather and a mix of race types that rewards sharp handicapping. Our best bets for free readers are Pettyisaspettydoes (R1), Head Lad (R2), and Good Intentions (R3) — all backed by solid TrackWiz ratings and, in two cases, morning line prices that look too big. For the full card, pace maps, and exotic tickets through Race 8, upgrade to TrackWiz Premium and get every angle we've got. Good luck out there — ride smart.

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