Expert picks: Charles Town Classic predictions, longshots
The story of the spring in racing: Can they get two turns? On Saturday, we'll wonder the same about three turns as a full field of older horses tackles West Virginia's bull ring in the Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic.
RELATED: Play the Charles Town Classic, get $200 free
Before post time at 5:37 p.m. ET Saturday, here's how the Horse Racing Nation crew has handicapped the 1 1/8-mile race that drew last year's 1-2 finishers, Something Awesome and War Story, as well as the Grade 1 winner Discreet Lover, Preakness Stakes participant Diamond King and Nanoosh, a newcomer to the high-percentage Jorge Navarro barn.
Jarrod Horak, Pick 6 Blog
Winner: #1 Mongolian Groom
On the board: #4 Rally Cry, #3 Diamond King
Longshot I like: #2 Nanoosh
Analysis: California shippers have done well in this race, and Mongolian Groom exits an OK show finish in the Big 'Cap (G1). The improving 4-year-old gelding figures to stalk the pace from the inside post. Rally Cry makes his first start in more than seven months for sharp layoff trainer Todd Pletcher. He also reconnects with winning rider John Velazquez. Diamond King exits a sharp flat mile win as the favorite at Gulfstream and won the Tesio Stakes at this distance last spring. His rider, Javier Castellano, has won this race three times. War Story missed by a neck in this race last year and is capable of firing a fresh shot for Jorge Navarro. His new stablemate Nanoosh has tactical speed and an inner post.
The Plays: #1 to win; dxacta 1/3-4-9; exacta 3-4-9/1; trifecta Key 1/2-3-4-9.
Casey Laughter, The Tattooed Tracksider
Winner: #3 Diamond King
On the board: #9 War Story, #6 Discreet Lover
Longshot I like: #1 Mongolian Groom
Analysis: I give Diamond King the edge here as he picks up Castellano, and John Servis' runners have fired well lately. This does mark a step back into stakes company, so the waters will deepen off a sharp allowance return. War Story and Discreet Lover are the late running type of horses and should be around at the end, especially if the latter can sit a bit closer than in his Charles Town Classic attempt a year ago.
Reinier Macatangay, Setting the Pace
Winner: #3 Diamond King
On the board: #4 Rally Cry, #9 War Story
Longshot I like: #1 Mongolian Groom
Analysis: Diamond King is in good form with a close third in the Oklahoma Derby (G3) last fall and a recent win at Gulfstream, and Rally Cry is proven at the highest level with a runner-up finish in the 2017 Woodward (G1) and fourth last year. For value, Mongolian Groom is rapidly improving with a third in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) to Gift Box and McKinzie. He works as a trifecta key or win bet.