HORSE RACING

Charles Town Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 5/28/20

With most of the sports world on pause, it's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.

Starting at 7 p.m. EST today, we have nine races at Charles Town. Using our projections as a guide, here's a look at some of the best bets.

As always, keep an eye out for scratches and changes.

(I will be referencing Equibase's Speed Figure, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions)

Redoubtable, Race 2

FD Racing Odds: 3/1

numberFire's models like Redoubtable to place first in the second race of the day. The gelding has five top-three finishes in his last eight races, all coming here at Charles Town. He has posted Speed Figures of 44 or better in five straight, and his recent workouts have shown decent form. DailyHorsePicks.com has Redoubtable with the second-best speed rating and top pace of all the competitors, and DHP gives him a 95 percent chance of placing top-three -- including a race-high 42 percent odds of winning.

Unlike most horses in this race, betting favorite Pleasant Lee (7/5) has shown the ability to consistently reach Figures of 60 or higher, though his last couple of efforts have been underwhelming. Royal Flavor (7/2) and Mini Bolt (10/1) have had recent form that makes them worth considering. Sterling Canyon (12/1) will have a jockey in hand who's had a lot of success here.

Whoisaprettygirl, Race 4

FD Racing Odds: 2/1

Whoisaprettygirl is the betting favorite and numberFire's projected runner-up, so this pick isn't exactly bold. The filly has shown good form of late, posting a Speed Figure of 71 in her most recent effort. She has finished first in both of her races with Arnaldo Bocachica as jockey, posting Figures of 78 and 70 in those wins.

Our Bad Girl (5/2) has had very impressive form recently and is projected to place third by our models. The mare has five top-three finishes in her last six outings, including two wins -- she's posted Figures above 60 in four of her last five. Fleetress (5/1) is coming off a win here two months ago and three consecutive top-two efforts. Kim's Pet (15/1) has had a couple of poor showings her recently, but the filly's workout here a week ago makes her worthy of consideration.

Fonda Romana, Race 6

FD Racing Odds: 9/2

Fonda Romana will be facing easier competition than she usually does, which gives her a good chance of placing well in this one. The mare has had Speed Figures of 80 or more in six of her last eight and has had a couple of solid workouts in May. DHP ranks her third in pace and first in speed among the competitors.

Betting favorite and numberFire's projected winner Hay Baby Girl (9/5) has had excellent form of late and would be unwise to ignore. Courtly Kitty's (5/1) form is also trending in the right direction.

Grumpelstiltskin, Race 7

FD Racing Odds: 7/5

Grumpelstiltskin is both our top pick and the betting favorite, and it's easy to see why he's a good play. The gelding has posted an average Speed Figure of 90 in his last four races here and has five career victories at Charles Town. He'll be jockeyed by Bocachica, as well, who has won 30 percent of his races here in 2020. DHP gives Grumpelstiltskin a 95 percent chance of finishing top-three.

Bacoli (4/1) has five top-two finishes in his last eight outings here, putting him on the shortlist for this race. Sudden Breeze (8/1) and Little Big Sime (10/1) are both worthy of consideration, as well, given their form.

Wall, Race 9

FD Racing Odds: 5/2

Our model projects Wall to place first in the final race of the day. The gelding has had fantastic form of late, posting Speed Figures of 73, 66, and 61 in his last three. His workouts have also shown nice form. DHP gives him a 90 percent chance of placing top-three.

Betting favorite V For Violence (2/1) is coming off a first-place finish two months ago in his only career outing here. The colt will be jockeyed by Bocachica, who rode him to victory in the March win. Frathouse Music (12/1) is a longshot worth betting on.