Charles Town stakes spot plays for Aug. 27

Seven black-type races accompany the pair of graded races on the blockbuster card at Charles Town on Friday evening. Five of them look to provide particularly grand opportunities for wagering.

MUCCIOLO: How to bet the 2021 Charles Town Classic and Oaks

Race 4 -- Sadie Hawkins S.

West Virginia-bred fillies and mares will travel seven panels in this affair, with nine contenders to go postward. The John McKee-conditioned #7 Bridging the Gap (5-2) blitzed her foes in this race a year ago and I expect her to repeat on Friday. By Fiber Sonde, the gray mare proved last time that she doesn’t need the lead to win, and her versatility will vault her to success under Reshawn Latchman.

Race 7 -- Sylvia Bishop Memorial S.

A total of seven state-bred sophomore fillies will vie in the $75,000 contest. #7 Shutupn’kissme (3-1) has come up short in her last four but I will still give her top billing for McKee. The bay is a stakes winner on the course and at the trip, and she will appreciate the drop back in with both state-bred foes, and three-year-olds, in this heat.

Race 8 -- Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon S.

The ladies will go seven-eighths and a solid field of eight will go postward, including one of my top plays on the entire card, #2 Lady Rocket (9-5). Trained by Brad Cox, the capable lass was a game allowance winner against a nice field at Churchill Downs in her most recent appearance, and she seems poised to rally for her initial stakes win under Geroux. The Tale of the Cat filly will save ground early before taking over late.

Race 10 -- Russell Road S.

An overflow field of 11 will go postward in a very competitive seven-furlong endeavor. #5 Arthur’s Hope (12-1) is very sharp from the gate and I will tab the seven-year-old for the upset in the deep dash. A close third in the race in 2020, the Maryland-based chestnut draws inside two major pace players and will get the jump from the break at a price with Angel Cruz in the stirrups.

Race 13 -- Frank Gall Memorial S.

State-bred males will travel seven panels in the finale, with an overflow field of 13 tabbed for the voyage. #6 Hero’s Man (10-1) is not especially consistent and he was trounced in this race last campaign, but the Casey pupil can be very good on his best day and is worth a shot at a price. The Charitable Man five-year-old is a 10-time winner on the surface, and the gelding could receive a great trip forcing the pace from second throughout.