Grumpy’s Buddy broke his maiden at Charles Town yesterday in his fourth try under jockey Arnaldo Bocachica. The 3-year-old gelding is owned and was bred by Newbourne Farm, and is a rare West Virginia-bred son of Bahamian Squall. 

    Grumpy’s Buddy became winner No. 6 this year for his sire, following Takhi, a 6-year-old horse whose first victory of the year came in Singapore in January.

    After a second-place finish in his last try, Grumpy’s Buddy was sent off at 9/5 for this $32,700 maiden special at 6 1/2 furlongs. He was off well, took a stalking position third or fourth down the backstretch, moved three wide on the final turn and was best in the final yards by half a length. He paid $5.80 and earned a check for $19,539, raising his total for four races to $26,349.