The Lead:
Since local legend Onion Juice christened the series in 1987, the West Virginia Breeders Classics has been central casting for the state's best Thoroughbreds. I know because I was there, a teenager rooting for "The Juice" like thousands of others in attendance. Over the years horses like Russell Road, A Huevo, Taylor Mountain, Confucius Say and Coastal Mission have staked their claim. This year's 1-1/8 miles test, feature race on a 10-race program of divisional WV-bred stars, welcomes back defending champ TEACHINTHERELEASE (pictured) with a chance to leave his name among the local legends above.
1/ST BET is a proud sponsor of the WV Breeders Classics and Race 7 on the card. That race will be part of $2,500 Hit & Split promotions on both the late pick 4 and late pick 5, which feature the Sam Huff WV Breeders Classic. Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can take advantage of additional cash returns when you hit the late pick 4 and/or pick 5.
Field Depth:
Class standouts here begin with last year's 1-2 finishers, TEACHINTHERELEASE and JUBAWITHATWIST. Beyond them, XCELLENT START certainly has seen his share of big-time company lines.
Pace:
The 1-1/8 miles races start on the backstretch of the 6-furlong bullring track and comprise 3 turns. There's time to make up ground, but with tight turns and a very short stretch, you want to be in the mix. TEACHINTHERELEASE will be immediately in the hunt with other pursuers having to work to keep up with him.
Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.
1-AUDIBLE STORM: First stakes try and first route for 3-year-old hot shot who has blown away 2 allowance casts in a row. Pedigree shaky on damside this far. Trainer Jeff Runco has won this race 8 times, including 4 straight before being dethroned a year ago. Barn’s go-to pilot Arnaldo Bocachica goes to stablemate Spotafreeone’s deeper stakes experience.
2-SPOTAFREEONE: The more proven of the Jeff Runco entries, and like his stablemate will benefit from an inside draw around 3 turns while stretching out this far for the first time. Won 7 of his first 8 Charles Town attempts but has lost 2 straight while a solid third in the local prep vs. the race’s 2 main favorites. Gets a more favorable race shape and set-up this time and I like that last year’s Russell Road winner aims for the big money on this card at age 4.
3-XCELLENT START: Trainer Wade Sanderson has won but 4 races this year but hasn’t been shy about this veteran’s appearances – which include the Pimlico Special and Charles Town Classic. Allowance winner over 9 furlongs on the road at Laurel, so the trip won’t be too far. Not out of the exotics talk.
4-TEACHINTHERELEASE: The odds-on favorite looks to repeat last year’s romp by 14-plus lengths and it’s hard to argue against him. Seven straight local wins, 9 of his last 10, handling fast and wet tracks, sprints and routes alike. He’s simply the best of this division right now at age 6 and can push $800K in career earns with a title defense. Lightly raced this year with this in mind and barn remains a gaudy 30%-plus.
5-NEVERPOPTHECORK: Distant fifth in this race last year splitting the field at 66-1. May be slightly off that form which doesn’t inspire confidence though wet tracks have littered his form.
6-DEFIANT GIANT: Career claimer has won 3 of his last 4 starts and no doubt is a solid distance horse in a race where the 9 furlongs will trip several of these. While he’s run at cheaper levels, it’s been mostly in open company so the class rise might not be as intimidating as it appears. Versatile running style helps.
7-GIMMETHATSUGAR: Highly inconsistent sort’s best might be a few pegs below the better horses in this race, and his lackluster efforts will find him far back over 9 furlongs. Prefer others.
8-FIBER PROOF: It took 20 tries to clear the non-winners of 2 lifetime condition for this outsider who likely will be overmatched and never tested anywhere near this trip.
9-THIS JUICE B LOOSE: Solid WV-bred allowance type has been flat late on the back end of 1-1/16 miles races and starting wide around 3 turns and adding another half-furlong makes it tough to project success. Jevian Toledo, in town from Laurel to ride Ihaveanappforthat in the Russell Road on the undercard, has been fantastic in his local appearances this year (7-12). He’s in the right hands to find the trip.
10-JUBAWITHATWIST: Clear-cut #2 in the West Virginia-bred ranks, a difficult outside draw over 3 turns puts this 5-year-old in a tough bind against his Frank Gall Memorial conqueror Teachintherelease, who also topped him in an allowance sprint 4 weeks prior to that. The star 7-furlong performer turned up with a sharp dash win last out, but hasn’t gone this distance since finishing second in the WV Breeders Classic of 2024 when beaten at 1-9 odds at the end of his 3-year-old season. He’s 19-21 in the exacta at Charles Town from 4-1/2 to 9 furlongs, so if anyone can overcome the post, it’s him.
11-(AE) YOUTHFUL ENERGY: Allowance sort is 1-for-11 over the past 2 years and would be overmatched at this distance from this post if he drew into the lineup.
12-(AE) ROYAL PAIN: Similar to the other AE, a 1-for-10 record the past 2 seasons against weaker competition doesn’t bode well from a wide go if he gets into the field.
Most Likely Exotics Contender:
TEACHINTHERELEASE has the class, pace and proven credentials as the king of the local hill.
Best Longshot Contender:
DEFIANT GIANT is in peak form and his open company races likely won't merit respect on the tote because of the claiming tags.
Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
I'll try to carve a trifecta with the price players between the very logical top 3 contenders in this race. $25 trifecta partwheel TEACHINTHERELEASE over DEFIANT GIANT, EXCELLENT START over JUBAWITHATWIST, SPOTAFREEONE ($100).
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