My Mane Squeeze Heads Field For G2 Charles Town Oaks

On Friday, August 23 a competitive field of ten with one alternate is set to go in this year's newly upgraded $750,000 Charles Town Oaks (G2), still the richest 3-year-old filly sprint race in North America, and the most lucrative race on the undercard of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races' marquee night of the year that features the $1,000,000 Charles Town Classic (G2).

The two graded stakes on the program are joined by the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial (L), the $500,000 Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon, and two $75,000 restricted stakes on the Friday night card, which gets underway at 5 p.m. ET.

My Mane Squeeze for trainer Mike Maker took the Eight Belles (G2) on Kentucky Oaks day, where she defeated Charles Town Oaks rival Impel for Brad Cox. The former is coming off of a third-place effort in the Test (G1) at Saratoga, while the latter exits a third-place finish in the Indiana Oaks (G3). Luis Saez has the call on My Mane Squeeze, while Florent Geroux will be aboard Impel.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has a pair of Oaks entrants in Haulin Ice and Mystic Lake. Haulin Ice is coming off of a breakout performance in the Azalea at Gulfstream Park. The Arkansas-bred daughter of Coal Front stretched out to the Oaks distance of seven furlongs for the first time, and responded with a 9 1/2 length score. And Joseph believes they unlocked something in that start.

"We stretched her out and decided to take her back off of the pace," said Joseph. "We think that's how she wants to run her races. She ran really well that day. After that race, we immediately targeted the Oaks."

While Haulin Ice will likely be sitting off of the pace, Joseph's other filly will likely be among the pacesetters, as Mystic Lake has been in front after 1/4 mile in her last nine races. She'll have the services of Hall of Famer and Charles Town Classic-winning jockey Mike Smith.

"Having Mike Smith speaks for itself. He's one of the best to ever do it, and he's still at the top of his game," said Joseph. "We're thankful he's making the trip. Mystic Lake has one way to go. It will be similar to Spirit Wind (who goes earlier in the card in the Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon). Just get to the front and see how far they can take them."

While neither are as accomplished as the four fillies previously mentioned, both Princess Madison for Phil Bauer and Roswell for Bill Mott have the feel of up-and-comers in the 3-year-old filly division. Both exit the same July 19th allowance race at Saratoga, where Princess Madison got the better of Roswell by 3/4 of a length. In that race, Princess Madison earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure, the best last-out figure in the Oaks field. That performance gave Bauer confidence that his filly is ready for the step-up in class.

"We're excited to try her," said Bauer. "You never know about the different numbers, but nevertheless I was really impressed with her last race. She's training super. Based on everything she's shown us, she should be able to break sharp and put herself in a good position to have a shot."

Charles Town-based trainer Cyndy McKee will send out an intriguing hometown hopeful in Overnight Pow Wow. The filly is a full-sister to 2018 Charles Town Oaks-winner Late Night Pow Wow and 2022 Charles Town Classic runner-up Muad'dib, both bred by McKee's late husband John. Out of the blue hen mare Holy Pow Wow, Overnight Pow Wow has already lived up to her stellar bloodlines with multiple wins in West Virginia-restricted stakes company. She's coming off of a career-best effort in the Sylvia Bishop Memorial, but this will be her stiffest test to date.

"She was a little slower to come around because I babied her," said McKee. "She's my girl. She's really coming into her own now."

Rounding out the field are Sing a Little Song for Ian Wilkes, Nay V Belle for trainer Greg Foley and jockey Frankie Dettori, and Deviletta for Steve Asmussen. Vincey Girl for Jose D'Angelo is the lone runner on the also-eligible list.

The night also offers some terrific wagering opportunities for horseplayers with a $100,000 guaranteed Pick 5 that kicks off in Race 9, a $100,000 guaranteed Pick 4 that starts with Race 10, and a mandatory distribution of the Charles Town 6-12 jackpot carryover that currently sits at $23,330 which gets underway in Race 8.

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