Charles Town: Two sharp mares clash

Miss Hamma, a two-time stakes winner last season, and Rain Song, who closed out last year by winning three consecutive races by a combined 25 1/4 lengths, head a field of 10 fillies and mares for the $50,000 West Virginia Distaff.

The 4 1/2-furlong race is the first stakes of the season at Charles Town.

Miss Hamma, now 7, tuned up for this race by winning a seven-furlong allowance on April 27 in her first start since November. Although she usually races in longer sprints, the last time Miss Hamma went 4 1/2 furlongs she overcame a poor start to draw off by 3 1/2 lengths in a stakes.

The 5-year-old Rain Song, based at Philadelphia Park with trainer Scott Lake, posted triple-digit Beyers in her two previous appearances at Charles Town. She will be making her first start since winning an optional claimer at Laurel in mid-November. This is her first appearance in a stakes.