Lucy's Bob Boy kicks off 6-year-old season in Blue Ridge

The presence of local hero Lucy’s Bob Boy in the Blue Ridge Handicap adds some heat to what is shaping up as a cold Wednesday evening at Charles Town.

Lucy’s Bob Boy will begin his 6-year-old season as the 126-pound highweight in the seven-furlong Blue Ridge and will concede three to nine pounds to his challengers. Lucy’s Bob Boy, 21 for 32 in his career and 21 for 28 at Charles Town, will rule as a heavy favorite if the weather allows the card to be held. Temperatures are forecast to get down to 9 degrees Wednesday night in Charles Town, W.Va.

Lucy’s Bob Boy is coming off one of his rare starts away from Charles Town, and although he still is winless on the road, his Dec. 6 runner-up effort at Laurel was solid. He tracked the pacesetting Warrioroftheroses over the muddy going in the 1 1/16-mile race, took the lead in midstretch, and was caught in deep stretch by Wealth to Me, who spurted clear by 2 1/2 lengths. Lucy’s Bob Boy finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of Warrioroftheroses in third.

Wealth to Me returned to finish fourth last Saturday in the $100,000 Native Dancer Stakes at Laurel after breaking a step slowly.

Key contenders

Lucy’s Bob Boy (Last 3 Beyers: 91-86-81)

He has 10 wins and a second in 12 starts going two turns in seven-furlong races at Charles Town.

His 126-pound weight assignment is the heaviest of his career. He won a West Virginia-bred overnight handicap under 125 in September.

In the Fairway (Last 3 Beyers: 75-78-84)

Has been freshened since being nosed out by the 39-1 shot Perfect Cross in the $85,000 West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Onion Juice Breeders’ Classic on Oct. 18.

Has won 10 of 22 career starts and is 4 for 10 going seven furlongs at Charles Town.

Is 0 for 3 against Lucy’s Bob Boy.

Allegheny Jack (Last 3 Beyers: 81-78-77)

This will be his seventh try against Lucy’s Bob Boy. In his most recent start, he finished second, beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Lucy’s Bob Boy, in the 1 1/8-mile A Huevo Stakes.

Argentine Tango (Last 3 Beyers: 73-68-76)

Is the newcomer to the field as the 6-year-old has made all 31 of his career starts in Florida for Jacks or Better Farm and trainer Stanley Gold. He now is owned and trained by Charles Town-based Narciso Cruz, who was 8 for 58 in 2014.

Will be looking for his first win since January 2013 at Tampa Bay Downs.