Analyzing the Charles Town graded stakes races for Friday

The $600,000 Charles Town Classic (G2) highlights a huge Friday night of racing at the West Virginia venue. A total of seven stakes races will be held, including a pair of the graded variety that I will be focusing on.

Race 10 - Charles Town Oaks (G3)

A total of 11 sophomore fillies (including an also-eligible) entered the 7-furlong affair. The competitive dash attracted a fine cast of ladies in what appears to be a fine betting opportunity. I tabbed #10 Hopeful Growth (4-1) in her Monmouth Oaks (G3) score at a big price, and while the number will not be as generous on Friday, I will come right back with the talented Tapiture filly.

The Anthony Margotta trainee responded with the blinkers back on with a career-best score last time out, and she has the right running style to succeed in a field with a plethora of pace in the mix. Arnaldo Bocachica will be in the stirrups.

Wagers

• $10 Win and Place: #10 Hopeful Growth ($20)
• $1 Exacta: 10 with all ($9)

Race 11 - Charles Town Classic

The signature race of the meeting attracted an overflow field of 11 in a very competitive event. In a race with little pace signed on, #7 Sleepy Eyes Todd (10-1) looms a danger pressing the tempo at a price. The Miguel Silva trainee has run a pair of big ones against lesser in advance of the lucrative event, and the 4-year-old colt could be up front for a long time beneath Carlos Delgado.

Grade 1 victor #4 Math Wizard (3-1) has class and also had an ideal prep for the 1 1/8-mile test when a closing second in the recent Monmouth Cup (G3). Conditioned by Saffie Joseph, the chestnut son of Algorithms has the best turn of foot in the field on his best day, and he is a must-use in the exotics.

Santa Anita (G1) runner-up #10 Multiplier (9-2) was assigned the dread widest post for trainer Peter Miller, but the gelding surely fits well in the cast. The Factor 6-year-old was a decent fourth in the Stephen Foster (G2) last time and faces easier in this spot.

Wagers

• $5 Exacta Box: 4,7,10 ($30)
• $2 Trifecta Box: 4,7,10 ($12)