Charles Town: Slight edge to Bindloe

Three sprinters, each coming off a daylight victory in similar local allowance races, appear difficult to separate in the $50,000 Country Road at Charles Town.

The 4 1/2-furlong race drew a field of 10 3-year-old fillies, plus one also-eligible.

Among those three last-out winners, each of whom exit a third-level allowance race, the best performance at the distance of the Country Road belongs to Bindloe. She may be susceptible to a bounce, however, after improving from a 58 Beyer Speed Figure all the way to an 84 last time out.

Matuko and Phoney Exchange are the other two who won last out. Matuko defeated Phoney Exchange by 12 1/2 lengths going 6 1/2 furlongs on April 22. That win looks all the more impressive after Phoney Exchange returned to score by 2 3/4 lengths two weeks ago.

Other contenders include Maryland shipper Exuding Quality, who returns to the dirt after winning a five-furlong turf allowance at Pimlico, and Nasdaq Queen, an impressive winner of a first-level allowance at Pimlico in her first start after she was claimed by trainer Howard Wolfendale.

Standing for Peace is an intriguing longshot. She was good enough last year as a 2-year-old to win a restricted stakes going 4 1/2 furlongs. Standing for Peace will be making the second start of her form cycle after flashing speed and tiring three weeks ago.