Chrome Mine makes stakes debut in Sylvia Bishop

Chrome Mine has a lot going for her in the $50,000 Sylvia Bishop Stakes on Saturday night at Charles Town. Not only does the 75 Beyer Speed Figure she earned in her most recent win tower over the field, but Chrome Mine’s dam is Carnival Chrome, a six-time stakes winner at the West Virginia track.

The Bishop, a seven-furlong race for West Virginia-bred 3-year-old fillies, has attracted a field of nine.

Chrome Mine races for the same owner-trainer combo that campaigned Carnival Chrome, Michael Miller and David Walters.

Walters has won more than 1,350 races. Originally from Maryland, he moved to West Virginia in 1982 while trying to establish his stable. He has more than 1,220 wins at Charles Town.

Carnival Chrome raced from 2005 to 2008 and made 16 starts – all at Charles Town. She won 10 races, finished worse than third only once, and earned $488,000.

Miller gave the West Virginia-bred Carnival Chrome every chance to be a successful broodmare. He bred her to Point Given, which produced the modestly successful Carnival Carl, then sent her to Mineshaft, the sire of Chrome Mine.

“We had a Ghostzapper colt out of her also who would have been 2 now, but he died at birth,” Walters said.

Chrome Mine won first time out by more than 11 lengths and now is 3 for 4 and coming off a 7 1/2-length second-level allowance win. The Bishop will be her stakes debut.

Walters holds Miller, who owns a Maryland concrete business, in high regard.

“Every trainer is looking for that one owner, and Mr. Miller, he’s the one,” Walters said. “He accepts the good with the bad and the bad with the good. He knows how the game is played. He gives me great confidence.”

Key contenders

Chrome Mine (Last 3 Beyers: 75-59-62)

* The 75 Beyer she earned last time out is nine points higher than the second-highest in the field, which Pocket Gift earned three starts ago.

* Chrome Mine has made all four of her starts around two turns over the six-furlong Charles Town track.

* Jose Montano is third in the Charles Town jockeys’ standings. He was the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice of 2012.

Joanne Elizabeth (Last 3 Beyers: 63-61-58)

* She is 6 for 9 and has the most wins in the field. She has won five of her last six starts. Two of her three losses came around one turn at 4 1/2 furlongs.

Pocket Gift (Last 3 Beyers: 49-63-66)

* She has won three 4 1/2-furlong races in a row. This will be her first two-turn start.

* She is trained by Jeff Runco, who leads the Charles Town standings. Leading rider J.D. Acosta has the mount.