Amelia Bedelia has advantage over comebacking Parisian Diva

Amelia Bedelia will have recency on Parisian Diva when the talented West Virginia-bred fillies take on open company in Friday night’s featured eighth race at Charles Town.

The pair could start as the top two choices in the three-other-than allowance for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs. The race, which will be run around two turns, drew 11.

Amelia Bedelia is coming off a win in a first-level allowance March 11 at Charles Town. The start came shortly before the meet was put on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. Racing was to resume Thursday at Charles Town.

“We’re glad to get back racing,” said Jeff Runco, who trains Amelia Bedelia for David Raim.

Amelia Bedelia boasts a 6-for-12 career record, with all of her starts coming at Charles Town. She has run second or third in a trio of local stakes, twice finishing behind winner Parisian Diva, who will be making her first start since October.

Amelia Bedelia will break from post 2 under Arnaldo Bocachica. She is shortening up in distance from seven furlongs.

“She sits a little off the pace,” Runco said. “It’s a competitive race. She always gives it her all. She’s doing great, had a great workout, and is ready to go.”

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The start Friday could set Amelia Bedelia up for more stakes appearances. She is a 4-year-old daughter of Fed Biz.

“This is a stepping-stone to some of the West Virginia-bred stakes over the summer,” Runco said.

Parisian Diva is a four-time stakes winner coming off a 2 1/2-length victory in the West Virginia Tourism Office Breeders’ Classic for 3-year-old fillies on Oct. 12 at Charles Town. The 70 Beyer Speed Figure she earned is the best last-race number in the field Friday.

J.D. Acosta has the mount from the rail for Melinda Golden and trainer Stacey Viands.

In the fourth race, Runco will send out a promising West Virginia-bred filly named Star of Night in a nonwinners-of-three lifetime allowance for statebred fillies and mares.

Star of Night has won her last two starts by a combined margin of 11 1/4 lengths. Both came at the 6 1/2-furlong distance she will travel Friday.

“She’s a nice filly,” Runco said. “I think she’s one of the up-and-coming fillies we have.”

Star of Night is a 3-year-old by Creative Cause from the female family of Grade 1 winner Snow Ridge. She races for Huntertown Farm.

Star of Night launched her career Dec. 13, finishing second by a half-length in a maiden special weight at Charles Town.

“She stumbled at the break, had a terrible start, and closed,” Runco said. “After that, she won her next two starts. She’s lightly raced, still learning. She’s only run a few times and has run very well.”

Bocachica has the mount from post 4 in the field of nine.