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Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Mahoning Valley – Racing News and Analysis for March 13, 2026

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Friday's Mahoning Valley card features eight races, heavily focused on six furlong dirt sprints with one mile maiden special weight to close the program, mostly at low‑ to mid‑level claiming and Ohio‑bred allowance conditions. State‑bred restrictions and preferences appear in several races, emphasizing local form and familiar connections across Ohio circuits. Prominent local riders include Luis Raul Rivera, Erik Barbaran, Jose Bracho, Luis Alberto Batista, Angel Diaz, and T. D. Houghton, while leading barns such as Jeffrey Radosevich, Eric Reed, Nestor Rivera, Penny Rone, Jason DaCosta, Craig Sweeting, and Jay Bernardini are well represented across the card.

Weather and Track Conditions

Forecasts for northeast Ohio call for a cool early‑spring day with temperatures in the 40s to low 50s and showers possible at times, but with dry intervals and some sun. Mahoning's dirt surface is built over drainage stone to shed water quickly, promoting a surface that trends back toward fast or good relatively soon after rain. With only intermittent showers expected, the likely conditions are a fast or good track, possibly with some moisture tightening the surface and slightly favoring speed.

Track Bias and Post Profile

Recent bias indications suggest that Mahoning's six furlong dirt sprints mildly favor tactical speed and pace pressers drawn between posts 2 and 5. Horses that secure position within a few lengths of the lead by the far turn tend to perform better than deep closers, although the bias is not extreme. The rail can be tricky at times if moisture affects the inside paths, but on a well‑maintained surface the first few lanes are usually acceptable, making trip and tactical placement more important than any single post.

Race 1 – Claiming NW4L F&M – 6f

Field: Pounds In Town (1), Crackle (2), Holiday Lights (3), Gamble On Love (4), Dame Maude Chardin (5).​

Holiday Lights (3) and Gamble On Love (4) project as the primary pace elements, with Holiday Lights (3) likely quickest early and Gamble On Love (4) close up. Crackle (2) figures to track just behind the leaders, while Pounds In Town (1) and Dame Maude Chardin (5) shape up as mid‑pack or late runners in a compact group.​

Key contenders are Holiday Lights (3), whose tactical speed and local connections make her dangerous near the front, and Gamble On Love (4), a four‑year‑old likely to be prominent throughout under an aggressive rider. Crackle (2) and Dame Maude Chardin (5) are the main secondary players, offering tactical or late runs for minor awards, while Pounds In Town (1) appears slightly below the top group but can contend for a share with a favorable trip from the rail.

Race 2 – Ohio‑Bred Claiming – 6f

Field: Condemnation (1), Wildcat Bill (2), The Pink Z (3), El Marro (4), Midnight Warship (5), Chief Buckeye (6), Ray's Empire (7).​

Wildcat Bill (2), The Pink Z (3), and Midnight Warship (5) bring solid early or tactical speed, with Condemnation (1) capable of being involved early from the inside and Ray's Empire (7) and Chief Buckeye (6) more likely to stalk or close. The pace should be honest to fast in this veteran Ohio‑bred field.

Key contenders are Wildcat Bill (2), who fits well at this level and benefits from a strong local barn and rider, and Midnight Warship (5), a consistent pace‑attending type in capable hands. Secondary contenders include The Pink Z (3) and Condemnation (1), both from the same barn, with tactical styles suitable for sitting just off the speed, while Ray's Empire (7) is a late‑running option that can pick up pieces if the early pace is demanding. El Marro (4) and Chief Buckeye (6), older veterans at nine and eight, respectively, appear more like longshot types needing ideal circumstances to contend for more than minor shares.

Race 3 – Allowance NW3L F&M – 6f

Field: J Rivers (1), Mia's Go (2), Miss Serafina (3), Letmenowhenurready (4), Neblina (5).​

Miss Serafina (3) and Mia's Go (2) are likely pace players, while J Rivers (1) and Letmenowhenurready (4) bring tactical, stalking styles, and Neblina (5) profiles as a more patient runner. Pace should be fair, making trip and ground‑saving tactics significant in this compact field.

Key contenders are J Rivers (1), representing a strong rider‑trainer combo with an ideal stalking draw, and Miss Serafina (3), who can control or share the lead and potentially carry her speed if left alone. Secondary contenders include Letmenowhenurready (4), a capable closer or stalker for a fitness‑minded barn, and Mia's Go (2), a lightly raced three‑year‑old with room for improvement. Neblina (5), with a recent veterinarian scratch noted, projects as more of a late‑running exotics candidate unless pace and track conditions enhance her closing style.

Race 4 – Claiming F&M – 6f

Field: Liberty Belle (1), Je Suis Rapide (2), Redwhiteandtacos (3), Sheisthehero (4), A Little Canela (5), Mo Co Gold (6), Miss Fussy Pants (7), Divine Fashion (8).​

Several mares want to be involved early, including Liberty Belle (1), Je Suis Rapide (2), Redwhiteandtacos (3), and Divine Fashion (8), creating the potential for a lively early pace. Mo Co Gold (6), Sheisthehero (4), A Little Canela (5), and Miss Fussy Pants (7) are more likely to sit mid‑pack or stalk and make their runs turning for home.

Key contenders include Miss Fussy Pants (7), a strong stalk‑and‑pounce type for a productive local barn and rider, and Je Suis Rapide (2), whose early speed and rider make her a threat if the track is favorable to front‑end runners. Secondary contenders are Divine Fashion (8), with outside tactical speed and an experienced rider, and A Little Canela (5), who drops from higher‑level attempts and can finish if pace is strong. Liberty Belle (1), Redwhiteandtacos (3), Mo Co Gold (6), and Sheisthehero (4) all offer some potential for exotics shares, but may need ideal trips or a specific pace setup to challenge the top group.

Race 5 – Ohio‑Bred Claiming – 6f

Field: Authentic Cowtown (1), Zakaria (2), Matthew's Patriot (3), Ollie's Folly (4), Orville B (5), Sweet Lemon Drop (6), Ilikethat (7), Stone Cold Cat (8).​

Matthew's Patriot (3), Ollie's Folly (4), and Orville B (5) project as key early pace forces, with Zakaria (2) also able to be close up, while Authentic Cowtown (1) may show enough speed from the rail to secure mid‑pack position. Sweet Lemon Drop (6), Ilikethat (7), and Stone Cold Cat (8) are more likely to stalk or close.

Key contenders are Ollie's Folly (4), a strong tactical stalker for a successful local trainer‑rider duo, and Orville B (5), who brings pace versatility and mid‑gate positioning in a field with multiple older speed horses. Secondary contenders include Sweet Lemon Drop (6), a veteran closer who can capitalize if the pace is demanding, and Zakaria (2), a reliable, forwardly placed runner in solid hands. Authentic Cowtown (1) and Stone Cold Cat (8), both older geldings with inside and outside draws respectively, appear more likely to collect minor shares, while Matthew's Patriot (3) and Ilikethat (7) are more speculative longshots, especially with Ilikethat (7) coming off a recent veterinarian scratch.

Race 6 – Claiming NW4L – 6f

Field: Gamboling Ghost (1), Roundball Rock (2), Harbour Bridge (3), Corman (4), Mexitexafornia (5), Bohemian Style (6), Finistere (7), Cacique Abarrio (8).​

Harbour Bridge (3), Corman (4), and Bohemian Style (6) appear to have the best early speed, with Mexitexafornia (5) and Cacique Abarrio (8) also capable of pressing, while Gamboling Ghost (1), Roundball Rock (2), and Finistere (7) are more mid‑pack or late runners. The race should feature an honest pace with several horses possessing allowance‑level back‑class.

Key contenders are Harbour Bridge (3), who brings strong recent Mahoning form and has already beaten or finished ahead of several of today's rivals, and Gamboling Ghost (1), a class‑dropping type from a sharp barn who can benefit from a stalking rail trip. Secondary contenders include Corman (4), an improving four‑year‑old with speed for a capable trainer, and Cacique Abarrio (8), an outside stalker who can get first run if the leaders tire. Bohemian Style (6), Roundball Rock (2), Mexitexafornia (5), and Finistere (7) are all usable as longshot or exotics types, particularly if pace scenarios or track bias tilt in their favor, though recent scratches and inconsistency temper their win profiles.

Race 7 – Allowance NW1X – 6f

Field: Pallino (1), Dream On Baby (2), Improbable First (3), Mr. Bogan (4), Cool Couple (5), Fourdatesforhoco (6), Just For The Money (7).​

Pallino (1), Fourdatesforhoco (6), and Just For The Money (7) provide quality early or pace‑pressing speed, while Improbable First (3) and Mr. Bogan (4) can track just behind them, and Dream On Baby (2) and Cool Couple (5) project as deeper closers. This is one of the strongest races on the card and should feature a sharp but controlled pace.

Key contenders are Just For The Money (7), a consistent Mahoning performer with strong local speed figures and a favorable outside stalking draw, and Fourdatesforhoco (6), whose recent win and prior efforts against horses like Harbour Bridge (3) and Gamboling Ghost (1) underline his quality. Pallino (1), with rail speed and reliable connections, and Mr. Bogan (4), a solid finisher from a respected barn, stand out as secondary contenders with strong chances to hit the board. Improbable First (3) is an improving four‑year‑old with upside as a late‑running option, while Dream On Baby (2) and Cool Couple (5) appear more as longshot exotics candidates, noting that Cool Couple (5) adds blinkers in search of improved early positioning.​

Race 8 – Maiden Special Weight – 1m

Field: Silent Cosmos (1), Total Silence (2), Just Call Rip (3), Newark (4), Caesarea (5), Daredevil Doug (6), Lady Midshipman (7), Poetic Words (8), Hoby Cat (9).​

Total Silence (2), Just Call Rip (3), and Newark (4) have the most likely early speed at this one‑turn mile, with Caesarea (5) able to sit close, while Silent Cosmos (1) and Hoby Cat (9) profile as mid‑pack grinders and Daredevil Doug (6), Lady Midshipman (7), and Poetic Words (8) as deeper runners. The pace should be reasonable, likely favoring horses near the first flight who can sustain their runs.

Key contenders are Total Silence (2), representing a high‑percentage local barn and rider with a favorable inside draw, and Just Call Rip (3), who comes from a strong trainer and projects to improve over this distance while tracking the pace. Secondary contenders include Caesarea (5), another representative of the same route‑strong barn, and Hoby Cat (9), a more mature five‑year‑old whose outside draw and rider give him a chance to produce a sustained late move. Newark (4) and Poetic Words (8) offer mid‑price possibilities from the same trainer with differing running styles, while Silent Cosmos (1), Daredevil Doug (6), and Lady Midshipman (7) look more like longshot or exotics candidates, particularly with Silent Cosmos (1) coming off a prior scratch at another track and the others needing pace or improvement to contend for the win.

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