Nestled in a soft spot on the racing calendar. The Horse Racing world will focus on the Charles Town Classic. The winner gets the title of “King of the Ring” for 2018.
Contenders:
Fear the Cowboy brings experience with 29-lifetime starts with nine wins and seven seconds and earnings over 1.6 million. His stretch-running style may not play well in the bull-ring. His natural running style is to lay back early and then make his move around the one-mile mark. Short stretch and not a lot of pace could weaken his stretch kick.
Discreet Lover entered with 37-lifetime races and picked up a win from off the pace in the Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct on April 7th. Discreet Lover is in career form and owns three 100+ Brisnet speed figures in the last eight months. Career-best style with the ability to be on the pace and also close from behind. Local jockey J.D. Acosta takes the mount.
War Story dominated the Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay, but that field was not Grade three quality. He should face more pace pressure. Ran in this race last year finishing in 3rd place to Imperative and Matt King Coal. Javier Castellano returns in the saddle, and he rode him to victory in the Brooklyn Handicap last June. Should get the distance and has enough speed to lay close to the leaders. Six-year-old alternates high-speed figures with small regressions in most recent starts. Most likely second favorite to Diversify. Potential to win a large purse to snag for a runner who is not Grade one quality.
Diversify owns a sporty record with eleven starts and seven wins. First race since the Clark Handicap a Grade one in November. Speed is his primary weapon with multiple Brisnet speed figures 105+. Grade one winner makes his 2018 debut in a Grade two race, and recent works indicate he should be ready to fire his A run off the layoff. New York Bred could have a significant 2018 if he can flash his 2017 speed and dominate on the front end in small fields. Big purse entices off the layoff.
Fair Odds
Diversify 8/5
War Story 3/1
Discreet Lover
The Selection:
Diversify is the likely winner at 6/5. Speed and class should set him up for the win.