Charles Town: Promise Me targets rebound in Wednesday sprint allowance

Horses who racked up multiple wins in the lower claiming ranks during 2012 are liberally sprinkled throughout the lineups of two first-level allowance sprints that highlight the first card of the New Year at Charles Town on Wednesday night.

Both the sixth race, for fillies and mares, and the eighth race offer a purse of $28,000 and will be contested at 4 1/2 furlongs. Both events are open to horses who have not cleared their first allowance condition or nonwinners of two lifetime. Races for a claiming price of $10,000 or less don’t count against eligibility.

In race 6, the 4-year-old filly Promise Me will try to make amends for her troubled sixth-place finish as the 4-5 favorite in a similar 4 1/2-furlong sprint Dec. 6. The Maryland-based Promise Me won her first start at Charles Town for a $5,000 tag in early October, then jumped several class levels to beat $15,000 claimers going 5 1/2 furlongs at Laurel Park. Her four wins in 2012 came on dirt, turf, and Polytrack.

Her chief threat may come from the rail, from where the 7-year-old Lee’s Zeal will break after shipping in from Penn National. A four-time winner in 2012, Lee’s Zeal showed consistent high early speed while running for claiming tags between $4,000 and $15,000.

Boreal Forest and Jessie’s Boy figure to vie for favoritism in race 8.

The 7-year-old Boreal Forest will be making his first start at Charles Town after a four-win campaign at Penn National, Delaware Park, and Laurel in 2012. His most recent victory came for a $7,500 tag going 5 1/2 furlongs at Laurel on Dec. 12.

The 5-year-old Jessie’s Boy won 5 of 13 starts in 2012, including two at Charles Town. He most recently scored as the 7-5 favorite for a $6,500 tag locally Nov. 27.