Charitable Annuity faces familiar rivals in A Huevo
The 3-year-old Charitable Annuity, coming off the biggest victory of his career in the $450,000 West Virginia Breeders’ Classic, faces three of the horses he defeated in that 1 1/8-mile race last month, including the millionaire Lucy’s Bob Boy, in another nine-furlong stakes for West Virginia-breds, the $50,000 A Huevo, on Saturday night at Charles Town.
Despite breaking from post 10 in the three-turn West Virginia Breeders’ Classic and racing three to four wide, Charitable Annuity scored by 2 3/4 lengths, earning a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure. He drew post 5 in the field of six for Saturday’s race.
The 6-year-old Lucy’s Bob Boy has won the last two runnings of the A Huevo at even-money or less. He was a well-beaten fourth in the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic as the 2-1 favorite after getting bumped at the start and racing wide for most of the journey.
Little Big Sime finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Lucy’s Bob Boy in the Oct. 10 West Virginia Breeders’ Classic but was no match for that rival in two previous meetings, including a 1 1/8-mile overnight handicap in July.
Prince of Windsor, racing beyond seven furlongs for just the second time in his 19-race career, was 1 3/4 lengths behind Lucy’s Bob Boy in the Breeders’ Classic. He stretches out again after a good effort going seven furlongs against open-company allowance foes.
KEY CONTENDERS
Charitable Annuity (Last 3 Beyers: 88-78-83)
◗ He’s from the same connections – owner Mark Russell and trainer James W. Casey – as the millionaire Russell Road. A rising star in the statebred ranks, he has won 6 of 9 starts, including three in a row since August.
Lucy’s Bob Boy (Last 3 Beyers: 80-68-95)
◗ He’s looking to rebound after failing to finish better than fourth in each of his last two outings. He will be reunited with jockey Arnaldo Bocachica for the first time since they teamed up to win an overnight handicap in July. Projects as the controlling speed and is ideally drawn on the rail.
Little Big Sime (Last 3 Beyers: 84-77-83)
◗ This 4-year-old deep closer is looking to snap a season-long 0-for-9 drought. He might not get the fast early fractions he needs to be effective.
Prince of Windsor (Last 3 Beyers: 81-77-80)
◗ Most of his success has come at 6 1/2 or seven furlongs, although he did win going 1 1/16 miles last season.