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 — October 23, 2026

October 23, 20268 racesAll Charles Town picks

Friday night racing is back at Charles Town, and the conditions couldn't be much crisper — clear skies and 53°F temps mean a fast, consistent dirt surface all night long. Eight races are on the card, ranging from a short 4 1/2-furlong sprint opener to a pair of 7-furlong routes later in the evening, giving bettors plenty of different pace scenarios to attack.

Charles Town's tight oval rewards speed, and on a night like tonight — firm footing, no weather variables — front-runners and pace-pressers tend to thrive. Keep that bias in mind as you build your tickets. Tonight's card mixes Maiden Special Weight newcomers, multiple Claiming layers, and a standout Allowance in Race 7, so there's something for every style of handicapper.

Best Bets

Race 1

11:00 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A Starter Optional Claiming sprint over 4 1/2 furlongs with a clear TrackWiz rating hierarchy — Echo Seven separates himself at the top, but Sophistry and Naval Hospital make for interesting underneath plays.

win5Echo SevenML 8/5

Echo Seven is the standout in this field by every metric we have. The 8/5 morning line favorite carries a TrackWiz rating of 89.12 — nearly 16 points clear of the next horse — and a career win rate of 31%, which is elite company for a Charles Town claimer. That win percentage tells you this horse doesn't just hit the board; it closes the deal. Jockey Nomar Arroyo Bueno gets the call for trainer Jean L. Adorno, and this pairing deserves respect at a tight sprint distance where gate speed and early positioning are everything.

place2SophistryML EVN

Sophistry opens at even money, which reflects genuine public confidence, and a TrackWiz rating of 73.19 backs that up as the second-best figure in the race. Trainer Kathleen O'Connell sends this one out with Jeiron Barbosa aboard, a capable combination at Charles Town. With an average speed figure of 56, Sophistry has enough raw pace to stay in contention at 4 1/2 furlongs and should secure a piece at a competitive price.

show6Naval HospitalML 12/1

Naval Hospital is our show play and the value sneaker in this field at 12/1 on the morning line. The TrackWiz rating of 63.57 puts this horse firmly in the mix for minor money, especially in a race where the top two will be grinding against each other early. Trainer Tyler S. Shanley runs a live barn and Sunday Diaz, Jr. is no stranger to these short Charles Town sprints — if the pace scenario sets up right, Naval Hospital can hit the board at a generous price.

Race 2

11:32 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open Maiden Special Weight sprint where first-timers and lightly-raced horses collide — Golden Faith's rating is dominant, but a competitive cluster just below 60 means the exacta and trifecta could pay handsomely.

win5Golden FaithML 9/5

Golden Faith is the most analytically sound selection on today's card in the maiden ranks. The 9/5 morning line favorite checks in with a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 — a full 31 points ahead of the next contender — and an average speed figure of 55 that gives tangible evidence of real ability. Trainer Mario Roberto Lopez saddles this one with Matilda Burnham up, and the fact that Lopez also has Clockbuster in the field suggests he's pointed Golden Faith as the stable's primary weapon. In a maiden race where separating horses is notoriously difficult, having this kind of rating edge makes Golden Faith a confident top selection.

place7Sabbia d'OroML 5/2

Sabbia d'Oro opens at 5/2 and carries a TrackWiz rating of 57.5, putting this Jeff C. Runco trainee right in the thick of the second tier. Runco is a respected Charles Town conditioner who knows how to have a horse ready to fire first out, and Warren Ebow III gets the mount. In maiden company, a polished training operation can make all the difference, and Sabbia d'Oro profiles as the most likely horse to chase down Golden Faith or capitalize if the favorite stumbles.

show6Pepperoni TonyML 3/1

Pepperoni Tony opens at 3/1 with a rating of 56.67, sitting just a hair below Sabbia d'Oro and making this a legitimate three-way battle for the bottom of the ticket. Trainer Javier Contreras sends this one out with Wesley Ho, a jockey who handles the Charles Town oval well. The 3/1 morning line price means you're not getting rich on the show bet, but as part of an exacta or trifecta construction, Pepperoni Tony at this rating level belongs on your ticket.

Race 3

12:02 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

An intriguing claiming sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs where the morning line favorite doesn't match the top TrackWiz rating — Aim's Jubilee is the hidden strength here, and Cicatriz offers serious value as an 8/1 overlay.

win5Aim's JubileeML 5/1

Aim's Jubilee posts the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 84.17, yet opens at 5/1 on the morning line — that kind of gap between public perception and analytical strength is exactly what we look for. Trainer Stephen L. Reggetts puts Wesley Ho in the irons, and while the career win rate of 7% might raise eyebrows, in a claiming race at this class level, the rating differential is the story. At 6 1/2 furlongs, there's enough ground for Aim's Jubilee to find a comfortable stalking position and unleash a late move, making this a confident top selection.

place4CicatrizML 8/1

Cicatriz is the place pick and arguably the most interesting horse on this race's ticket at 8/1. The TrackWiz rating of 76.91 is the third-best in the field, and trainer Timothy Shanley — who also has Lovely Odds entered — is clearly confident enough to split his attention across two runners. Jockey Jahnxander Raspaldo gets the call, and if Shanley is pointing Cicatriz with purpose, an 8/1 price on a horse rated this high looks like a genuine overlay for exacta and place bettors.

show2TafaanyML 5/2

Tafaany opens at 5/2 and carries a solid 72.81 rating, making this Owen Garber trainee a credible show play with upside. The 10% career win rate is modest, but Tafaany shows an average speed figure of 52 — consistent with the middle of this claiming field. With Rayan Wilson aboard and a public price that suggests market respect, Tafaany's profile as a steady, pace-pressing type makes for a reliable inclusion in the exotics.

TrackWiz is spotlighting three races for all readers tonight. Race 1 kicks things off with Echo Seven (morning line 8/5, TrackWiz rating 89.12) in a Starter Optional Claiming sprint — one of the strongest ratings on the card and a horse who should benefit from early position on this speed-friendly track. In Race 2, the Maiden Special Weight draws Golden Faith (9/5 ML, 88.83 rating) as our top pick — maiden races carry uncertainty by nature, but the rating edge here is real and worth respecting. Then in Race 3, don't sleep on Aim's Jubilee at a generous 5/1 morning line in the 6 1/2-furlong Claiming. An 84.17 rating at that price is the kind of value angle that separates profitable nights from break-even ones.

The common thread across all three free races: pace control matters enormously at Charles Town, and each of these selections projects to be in a favorable position early. On a quick, consistent surface tonight, that's not a minor edge — it's a significant one.

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

Maiden Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

The Maiden Claiming route at 6 1/2 furlongs features a fascinating top-three cluster with Candygram Cat, Cherokee Cat, and Private Express all rated within five points of each other — the morning line tells a different story than the ratings, and that's where opportunity lives.

win3Candygram CatML 5/1

Candygram Cat tops our win selection at a 79.23 rating despite opening at 5/1 — a notable value gap versus private favorite Private Express on the morning line. Trainer Curtis W. Bass puts Christian Hiraldo up on this one, and while avgSpeed isn't on record here, the rating suggests a horse with real upside in maiden claiming company. At 6 1/2 furlongs, you need a horse that can settle and sustain, and Candygram Cat's rating profile implies exactly that kind of stamina and class edge.

place1Cherokee CatML 7/2

Cherokee Cat is our place pick at 7/2 with a rating of 77.02 and an average speed figure of 51, which is right in line with the field median. Trainer Michael Sandoval deploys Jacqueline A. Davis, and the fact that Sandoval also runs Private Express suggests this is a two-horse barn stable — both deserve respect. Cherokee Cat's position in the draw (rail post) at Charles Town can be a double-edged sword at 6 1/2 furlongs, but horses with legitimate ratings from the inside have won here plenty.

show6Private ExpressML 7/5

Private Express opens as the 7/5 morning line favorite with a 75.15 rating, but that's actually the third-highest figure in the race — meaning the public is pricing this horse higher than the analytical model supports relative to Candygram Cat and Cherokee Cat. That said, Carlos Eduardo Lopez is a competent pilot for trainer Michael Sandoval, and a rating of 75.15 in maiden claiming company is no joke. Private Express fits comfortably as a show play and deserves to be on your vertical tickets even if we're fading it at the top.

Race 5

1:02 AM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A nine-horse claiming sprint at 7 furlongs with a dominant top-rated horse in Itzayana squaring off against morning line favorite Hurricane Debbie — the gap in TrackWiz ratings makes this look like a two-horse race with an interesting value layer underneath.

win8ItzayanaML 2/1

Itzayana is the standout selection of this race, posting an 88.54 TrackWiz rating in a field where nothing else comes close. Trainer Manolo Mangual has this one primed with J.D. Acosta in the irons — Acosta is a proven Charles Town hand who knows how to get horses into position around this oval. At 2/1 on the morning line with a 16% career win rate, Itzayana profiles as a horse that wins more than it should at this level, and seven furlongs gives it enough distance to overcome any early traffic and still have something left for the stretch run.

place1Hurricane DebbieML 8/5

Hurricane Debbie opens as the public's choice at 8/5 but ranks second in our model with a 71.12 rating — a meaningful gap below Itzayana that suggests the morning line may be slightly off. That said, a 16% career win rate and an average speed figure of 55 confirm Hurricane Debbie is a legitimate contender with real tactical speed. Wesley Ho gets the mount for trainer Anthony Farrior, and at seven furlongs, this horse has the profile of a front-runner who can make life difficult if allowed a soft early pace.

show5Look AheadML 5/1

Look Ahead is our show play at 5/1 with a 58.97 rating, and trainer Timothy Shanley has two horses entered in this race — always worth noting when a barn double-dips. Jockey Moises Santaella gets this assignment, and Look Ahead's 17% career win rate is solid enough for a horse in the third spot on our ticket. In a nine-horse field, the pace could get messy early, which could set up a closer-type scenario where Look Ahead benefits from a contested early pace between Hurricane Debbie and others.

Race 6

1:32 AM EDT

Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A short 4 1/2-furlong claiming sprint where Ray of Lov owns the top rating by a wide margin, but Jack Charles brings a compelling win percentage and a shared top speed figure that could make the exotics interesting.

win2Ray of LovML 5/2

Ray of Lov is the class of this field by a substantial margin, posting an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and an average speed figure of 54 — tied for the field's best alongside Far From a Star and Jack Charles, but with a much higher overall score. The 18% career win rate is workmanlike, and trainer Nesvil Hernan Bailon sends this one out with Emanuel Rosario aboard. At 5/2 on the morning line, this is arguably one of the fairer prices on today's card given the rating separation, and the short sprint distance suits a horse that can fire quickly out of the gate.

place5Super LinoML 6/1

Super Lino opens at 6/1 and checks in with a solid 75.21 rating — third-best in the field but carrying a price that reflects underestimation from the public. Trainer Sylvester McGill puts Jose Y. Diaz in the saddle, and at 4 1/2 furlongs, early position is paramount. A career win rate of 11% isn't flashy, but Super Lino's speed figure of 52 puts this horse right in the mix, and at 6/1, there's legitimate value here for place bettors looking beyond the chalk.

show6Jack CharlesML 7/2

Jack Charles deserves respect as the show pick, and here's why: a 25% career win rate is the best in the field, and an average speed figure of 56 ties for the field high. Trainer Jason Libertini puts Arnaldo Bocachica up, and this combination at a short sprint should mean a horse that breaks sharp and stays involved. At 7/2 on the morning line, Jack Charles is actually the second choice of the public — which makes the show bet not a huge overlay, but in an exacta box or trifecta, this horse's raw stats make it nearly impossible to leave off the ticket.

Race 7

2:02 AM EDT

Allowance · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

An Allowance sprint at 4 1/2 furlongs pitting two elite win-percentage mares against each other — Julee's Legacy's 52% career win rate is eye-popping, but Maggie's Girl's slightly higher rating makes this a fascinating duel at the top.

win5Maggie's GirlML 5/2

Maggie's Girl earns the top TrackWiz rating at 87.81 and opens at 5/2 on the morning line, which feels about right for a mare with a 50% career win rate — that's not a typo. Winning half your starts is a remarkable record, and trainer Timothy C. Grams sends this one out with Larry C. Reynolds in the irons. The average speed figure of 52 is solid for a 4 1/2-furlong sprint, and in an allowance field, the combination of elite win rate and top analytical rating makes Maggie's Girl a confident win selection.

place1Julee's LegacyML 9/5

Julee's Legacy is in some ways the most fascinating horse on today's entire card. A 52% career win rate — the highest figure we've seen all day — paired with a 79.1 TrackWiz rating and an average speed figure of 56 makes this Michael E. Jones, Jr. trainee a genuine contender at 9/5. J.D. Acosta takes the mount, and if Julee's Legacy can fire its top effort, it's capable of beating anything in this field. We have it second on the ticket only because Maggie's Girl's rating edges it out, but don't be surprised if the order flips in the stretch.

show4Miss MenetesML 6/1

Miss Menetes is an intriguing show play at 6/1 with a career win rate of 33% — third-best in the race and meaningful evidence of a horse that knows how to finish. Trainer David J. Rose puts Nomar Arroyo Bueno aboard, and while the avgSpeed figure isn't on record, a 57.78 TrackWiz rating in an allowance field is respectable. If the top two horses create a pace duel up front, Miss Menetes could be the one closing into a soft pace in the final stages.

Race 8

2:32 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

The nightcap is a nine-horse Maiden Claiming route at 7 furlongs with Pampero posting the highest single TrackWiz rating of the entire evening card — but Baby Bobby at 7/2 is close enough to make this a genuine two-horse show.

win8PamperoML 8/5

Pampero comes in with the highest TrackWiz rating of the entire Charles Town card tonight — an 89.12 — and the 8/5 morning line reflects that dominance. Trainer Ronney W. Brown sends this one out with Nomar Arroyo Bueno, who has been a consistent presence in the winners' circle at this oval. The average speed figure of 53 gives tangible shape to the rating, and at seven furlongs, Pampero has the stamina profile to carry its speed around two turns and finish strong. In a maiden claiming field, this kind of rating edge doesn't come around often — it's a confident top selection.

place3Baby BobbyML 7/2

Baby Bobby opens at 7/2 and backs that price up with an 85.77 TrackWiz rating — only 3.35 points behind Pampero and a massive gap above the rest of the field. Trainer Somraj Singh deploys Carlos Eduardo Lopez, and an average speed figure of 52 shows consistent recent form. If you're constructing an exacta, Pampero over Baby Bobby is the play, but Baby Bobby's profile is strong enough that a solo win wouldn't be a shock — this is a genuine contender, not just an also-ran.

show4Improbable DreamML 3/1

Improbable Dream opens at 3/1 as the third choice with a 53.71 rating, which puts this Gary L. Williams, Jr. trainee clearly ahead of the rest of the bottom half of the field. Arnaldo Bocachica handles the mount, and an average speed figure of 52 is consistent with the field average at seven furlongs. While Pampero and Baby Bobby both look like a class above, Improbable Dream's price and rating make it the logical third wheel for trifecta bettors looking to cap their ticket at a reasonable price.

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's best bets start with Echo Seven in the opener and Aim's Jubilee as the value play of the night at 5/1. The track is playing fast, the weather is ideal, and the card has plenty of angles to work with. Free race breakdowns are live now — and if you want the full 8-race package with pace projections and exotic ticket strategies, Premium access has you covered. Good luck at the windows tonight.

← All Charles Town picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 8 races free