There is more racing under the lights in West Virginia on Thursday night. Mountaineer Park has been the racecourse of choice in West Virginia. Charles Town takes over for Mountaineer on Thursday and through the weekend.
For more horse racing picks on Thursday, check out our Del Mar page for more information. As far as Charles Town is concerned, there are eight events worth $17,600 on this card.
Race 3
The third event at Charles Town covers 1 1/16 miles for a $15,500 purse. Lunar Image and Principality should get involved in Race 3.
Lunar Image is 2 for 51 and has finished 1st, 2nd 4th, 2nd in his previous four starts. In his latest start, Lunar Image beat Dashing Circles by 1 ¼ lengths for a $13,300 prize.
That was a fine performance after placing 2nd behind Plonder by a half-length for $13,300. He should be involved at the wire, but may ultimately have to do more to beat Principality.
Principality is 2 for 11 and has finished 4th, 6th, 10th in his previous three starts. The gelding is down in class after failing to get involved at Pimlico and Laurel Park.
In his latest start, Principality finished 4th in a tougher race than this Thursday night assignment. I’m not in love with Principality as a competitor, but against this kind of competition? It would be disappointing if he can’t handle these foes.
Race 5
Race 5 covers 6 ½ furlongs for a $9,700 purse at Charles Town tonight. Who are the leading candidates in this one? I’d pay attention to Southern Saviour and Final Say to be part of the equation.
Southern Saviour is 4 for 33 and needs a better trip to get off this streak of four straight 4th place finishes. In his most recent start, Southern Saviour finished 4th in a $15,700 on July 29.
The gelding had finished 4th a few weeks earlier in a $15,700 event on July 8. A drop in class should help Southern Saviour back on the map.
Final Say is 5 for 29 and is looking for an easier assignment tonight as well. He’s 6th, 4th, 5th in his last three events.
In his most recent start, Final Say finished 6th for a $23,000 purse on June 25. Before that start, he finished 4th in a $23,000 event on May 28. All the way down to $9,700, this looks like an ideal race.
Race 7
Race 7 is a $33,900 event covering 4 ½ furlongs on the dirt. One Smart Cookie and Full Moon Lover are likely to have a chance at the wire.
I’d lean on Full Moon Lover as a leading player in the seventh in West Virginia. Full Moon Lover is in hot form going into this one under the lights.
In seven career races, Full Moon Lover has finished in the top-2. He is 4 for 7 and coming off four wins. The best part with Full Moon Lover is that she continues to improve.
This filly recorded a personal best speed figure on her latest trip on July 30. Full Moon Love beat Fear the Diva by 2 ¾ lengths for a $33,900 purse.
Full Moon Lover took over at the ¼ pole and never lost the lead. Under steady handling, Full Moon Lover cleared the field, including the heavy favorite. Expect Full Moon Lover to make it five in a row tonight.
