Sisters Unaquoi and Nellysford meet in Fancy Buckles Stakes

It’s a sister act Friday night in the $50,000 Fancy Buckles at Charles Town.

Unaquoi and Nellysford, who are half-siblings, are part of a field of eight in the 4 1/2-furlong race that is restricted to fillies and mares bred in West Virginia.

Others set to start include Twirling Owen, who is looking for her second straight stakes win, and Remy’s Rocket, who was fifth in this race last year and third in 2018.

The Fancy Buckles goes as the eighth race on a nine-race program that starts at 7 p.m. Eastern.

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Unaquoi and Nellysford are both out of the winning mare Jumelle Springs. They will race as separate interests for their breeder and owner, Ray M. Pennington III, and their trainer, Ollie Figgins III.

Unaquoi, a 6-year-old by Gattapardo, could go favored. She is transferring back to dirt after racing on turf, among her most recent efforts a runner-up finish in the $104,000 Claiming Crown Distaff Dash in December at Gulfstream Park. Unaquoi is a stakes winner over the local strip at Charles Town, having captured the Rachel’s Turn at 2. She moves back into the West Virginia-bred ranks Friday and will break from post 5 under Arnaldo Bocachica.

Nellysford, a 5-year-old daughter of During, enters the Fancy Buckles off a first-level allowance win March 14 at Charles Town. The race came at 4 1/2 furlongs. She’s a four-time winner over the local strip. Gerald Almodovar has the mount from post 8.

The mares both have speed, but Unaquoi could end up stalking Nellysford, among others. Those others include Twirling Owen, who wired the field in the $50,000 It’s Binn Too Long Stakes on May 22 at Charles Town. It was the second stakes win of her young career. Twirling Owen makes her first start against older rivals Friday. J.D. Acosta, who was aboard last out, again has the mount for trainer Anthony Farrior.

If the pace becomes too hot, Summer Frock can take advantage. She is moving back to dirt after a series of turf sprint starts at Tampa Bay Downs. Summer Frock registered her last win from off the pace, and on the grass. She also is a two-time winner on the main track, with both of those victories coming at Charles Town.

Remy’s Rocket is another who can make her case in the latter stages. Her last win came from off the pace, at this distance at Charles Town in December. She is launching her season Friday.

C R Case’s Legacy is yet another late threat, on the cutback from two turns to one Friday.