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Monday night racing at Mountaineer Park features an eight-race card beginning at 7:00 PM ET with a competitive mix of maiden special weight, claiming, and allowance events. The track presents solid racing conditions with ideal weather for the evening program.​

Weather and Track Conditions

Current conditions show a fast main track with cloudy skies and temperatures near 47°F. Morning frost was reported with near-freezing temperatures, but conditions have warmed throughout the day. The track surface provides consistent footing for tonight’s races with no weather concerns expected. Light WSW winds at 7 mph should not affect racing conditions.​

Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight (7:00 PM)

6 Furlongs Dirt – $17,000 Purse – 3YO+ – 10 Horses

Key Contenders

Frosty Beer (#9) draws significant attention as the Racing Dudes selection at 9-5 odds with trainer Pavel Matejka and jockey Antioco Murgia. This gelding shows solid connections that have been successful at the meet.​

National Punchline (#1) represents trainer Justin Jensen with jockey Kevin Gonzalez, offering early speed potential from the rail position. The three-year-old gelding brings fresh form to this competitive opener.

Springs (#5) trained by Jose Luna Silva provides strong trainer credentials, as Silva leads all trainers at the meet with 84 wins from 363 starts and over $817,000 in earnings. Jockey Deshawn Parker adds solid riding credentials.​

Secondary Choices

Briarcliff (#4) and Frame Up (#6) represent the Ramgeet and Sullivan connections respectively, offering late-developing types that could benefit from pace pressure up front.

Longshots to Consider

Raven’s Honor (#8) brings the only filly in the field, which could provide a class edge in this maiden event. The four-year-old represents trainer Rebecca Holton with Ricardo Barrios aboard.

Pace Analysis

The race should develop with moderate early pace as several horses show gate speed including National Punchline and Springs. The pace should allow for closers to make an impact in the stretch.

Key Angles

Focus on trainer Jose Luna Silva’s strong meet statistics and the Racing Dudes selection of Frosty Beer based on recent form analysis.​

Selections: Win: Frosty Beer, Place: Springs, Show: National Punchline

Race 2 – Claiming (7:25 PM)

1 Mile Dirt – $12,200 Purse – 3YO+ Non-Winners of Two Races in 2025 – $6,500 Claiming – 8 Horses

Key Contenders

Runningforcash (#7) emerges as the Racing Dudes selection at 9-5 odds with trainer Ralph Martinez and Erik Barbaran riding. This five-year-old gelding brings experience and solid recent form to the longer distance.​

Chopped (#1) represents trainer Virginia Demczyk with Ricardo Barrios, offering early speed from the rail in this mile event. The six-year-old has been competitive in similar company.

Midnight Channel (#3) trained by Thomas Van Berg provides another legitimate contender with jockey Charle Oliveros taking the call.

Secondary Choices

Group Eighteen (#2) from the Silva barn continues the trainer’s strong representation on the card. The gelding shows consistent form in claiming ranks.

Longshots to Consider

Beachwalker (#5) receives a significant weight break with apprentice Michael Pagan aboard, dropping to 116 pounds from the standard 123-pound assignment.

Pace Analysis

The mile distance should favor horses with tactical speed and stamina. Runningforcash appears well-positioned for the route, while early pace should be honest but not overly aggressive.

Selections: Win: Runningforcash, Place: Chopped, Show: Midnight Channel

Race 3 – Allowance (7:50 PM)

5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt – $18,000 Purse – 3YO+ Non-Winners Other Than MCL/STR – 7 Horses

Key Contenders

Toughness (#7) gets the Racing Dudes nod at 5-2 odds with the powerful Silva-Parker combination. This three-year-old colt brings improvement potential in the allowance ranks.​

Royal Curlin (#2) trained by Jose Luna Silva with Alejandro Gomez riding, represents another strong Silva trainee with solid recent form indications.

Lomachenko (#4) from trainer Jay Bernardini offers proven class with Brandon Tapara aboard, bringing experience in similar company.

Secondary Choices

Stay Frosty (#3) provides fresh three-year-old form with Bailey Weatherly riding for trainer Inocencio Quezada.

Pace Analysis

The sprint distance should see honest early pace with several speed types engaged. The race sets up well for horses with tactical speed who can press the pace and kick home.

Selections: Win: Toughness, Place: Royal Curlin, Show: Lomachenko

Race 4 – Claiming Fillies/Mares (8:15 PM)

1 Mile Dirt – $12,200 Purse – 3YO+ F/M Non-Winners of Two in 2025 – $6,500 Claiming – 10 Horses

Key Contenders

Honour’s Choice (#8) receives Racing Dudes support at 3-1 odds with trainer Marion Cuttino and Bailey Weatherly aboard. This five-year-old mare brings solid credentials to the distaff claiming ranks.​

Kaiyas Song (#3) offers early speed potential with Kyle Gilbert riding for trainer William Witherow. The six-year-old mare shows consistent form in similar company.

Save the Flag (#6) trained by Jeff Zook with Kevin Gonzalez provides another legitimate contender with proven route form.

Secondary Choices

Sonho de Verao (#1) represents trainer Inocencio Quezada with Alejandro Gomez, offering improvement potential in the claiming ranks.

Pace Analysis

The mile distance for fillies and mares should develop with moderate pace, allowing tactical types to position themselves for late runs.

Selections: Win: Honour’s Choice, Place: Kaiyas Song, Show: Save the Flag

Race 5 – Allowance Fillies/Mares (8:40 PM)

5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt – $18,000 Purse – 3YO+ F/M Allowance Conditions – 7 Horses

Race Conditions: For fillies and mares three years old and upward which have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, or starter or which have never won two races. Three Year Olds, 121 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. Non-winners of a race since October 3 allowed 3 lbs.

Top Contenders

Isabel Ludlow (#3) – 5YO Mare – 123 lbs

Jockey: Deshawn Parker
Trainer: Jose Luna Silva

Isabel Ludlow emerges as the race favorite and represents the powerful Silva barn that leads all trainers at the current Mountaineer meet with 84 wins from 363 starts and over $817,000 in earnings. This mare brings exceptional Mountaineer Park credentials with a stellar 12-6-4-1 record at the track, demonstrating her affinity for the surface.​

Her recent form shows consistent competitiveness, finishing third last start at Mountaineer on October 12 over a similar 5 1/2 furlong distance, beaten just 1.5 lengths behind A Little Canela while carrying 123 pounds. International handicappers note she “only just missed last start, finishing three quarters of a length back” from the winner, indicating she was clearly second-best in that effort.​

Career statistics reveal impressive consistency with 6 wins from 19 starts (31.58% win rate) and an outstanding 89.47% in-the-money percentage, earning $147,173. The Silva-Parker combination adds significant value, as Parker continues strong form for the leading stable.​

Vicki Rose (#7) – 5YO Mare – 123 lbs

Jockey: Antioco Murgia
Trainer: Pavel Matejka

Vicki Rose brings intriguing credentials as a daughter of Jimmy Creed out of Planar by Empire Maker, providing solid genetic foundations for this allowance event. Professional analysis highlights her “superior genetic foundations” compared to other runners.​

Most recently, she captured a victory at Mountaineer on September 24 over 6 furlongs, defeating Je Suis Rapide by half a length while carrying 123 pounds. This demonstrated her ability to win at the track and distance. Her career includes a significant victory at Keeneland on April 26, 2025, showing class against quality competition.​

The Matejka-Murgia partnership brings solid credentials, and Vicki Rose’s breeding suggests she should handle tonight’s allowance conditions effectively.

Stratogale (#5) – 5YO Mare – 123 lbs

Jockey: Alejandro Gomez
Trainer: Jose Luna Silva

Stratogale provides Jose Luna Silva with a powerful one-two punch in this allowance event, teaming with Isabel Ludlow to give the leading trainer exceptional chances. The Silva stable’s remarkable statistics at the current meet make any runner from the barn a serious contender.​

Gomez brings solid riding credentials and familiarity with Silva trainees. The combination creates a formidable entry that could control the pace dynamics of the race.

Secondary Contenders

Great Moon (#1) – 4YO Filly – 123 lbs

Jockey: Ricardo Barrios
Trainer: Virginia Demczyk

Great Moon represents early speed potential from the rail position with Ricardo Barrios providing experienced riding. Trainer Virginia Demczyk shows consistent form with stable runners throughout the meet.

Anhinga (#2) – 3YO Filly – 118 lbs

Jockey: Erik Barbaran
Trainer: Carol Skawinski

Anhinga brings three-year-old form against older competition and receives a significant weight advantage at 118 pounds compared to the 123 carried by most rivals. The five-pound concession could prove decisive in a competitive allowance event.

Pace Analysis

The 5 1/2 furlong distance should produce honest early fractions with Great Moon and potentially Isabel Ludlow showing early speed from favorable post positions. Vicki Rose demonstrates tactical speed that allows positioning flexibility, while Stratogale from the Silva barn provides another pace-pressing option.

The race shape favors horses with tactical speed who can press the early pace and maintain their momentum through the stretch. The distance eliminates pure closers and rewards horses with sustained speed throughout.

Key Angles

The Jose Luna Silva factor dominates this analysis, as the leading trainer sends out two legitimate contenders in Isabel Ludlow and Stratogale. Silva’s career statistics show 794 wins from 6,378 starts with over $12 million in earnings, demonstrating consistent success across all levels of competition.​

Isabel Ludlow’s exceptional Mountaineer Park record (6-4-1 from 12 starts) provides the strongest single angle in the race. Her 89.47% in-the-money percentage indicates remarkable consistency that should continue tonight.​

The genetic superiority noted for both Isabel Ludlow and Vicki Rose creates a compelling top-two selection, with both mares bringing proven class to this allowance event.​

Wagering Recommendations

Race 6 – Maiden Claiming Fillies/Mares (9:05 PM)

1 Mile Dirt – $8,000 Purse – 3YO+ F/M Maidens – $4,000 Claiming – 9 Horses

Key Contenders

Shady Nights (#4) receives Racing Dudes support at 5-2 odds with trainer Elliot Sullivan and Angel Diaz. This three-year-old filly brings potential in the maiden claiming ranks.​

Starship Legacy (#1) offers route experience with Joe Stokes riding for trainer John Fennessy. The five-year-old mare has shown glimpses of ability.

Somethingtosay (#2) trained by Donald Blankenship with Kevin Gonzalez provides another logical contender in this competitive maiden event.

Secondary Choices

Dancing Shadows (#6) brings three-year-old form with Bailey Weatherly aboard for trainer Robert Inman.

Pace Analysis

The maiden claiming mile should develop with modest pace, allowing patient riders to position their mounts for strong finishes.

Selections: Win: Shady Nights, Place: Starship Legacy, Show: Somethingtosay

Race 7 – Allowance Optional Claiming Fillies/Mares (9:30 PM)

6 Furlongs Dirt – $19,000 Purse – 3YO+ F/M Allowance/Optional $15,000 Claiming – 8 Horses

Race Conditions: For fillies and mares three years old and upward which have never won three races or claiming price $15,000. Three Year Olds, 121 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. Non-winners of a race since October 3, 2025 allowed 3 lbs. Claiming Price $15,000.

Top Contenders

Photo Finish (#5) – 4YO Filly – 123 lbs

Jockey: Erik Barbaran
Trainer: Jay P. Bernardini

Photo Finish emerges as the race favorite coming back from a five-week layoff as last start winner at Mountaineer, positioning her well for tonight’s allowance optional claiming event. International handicappers note she is “back from five week let-up and last start winner at Mountaineer, well placed” for this assignment.​

Trainer Jay Bernardini brings exceptional credentials to this race, ranking among the leading trainers at the current Mountaineer meet with 47 wins from 246 starts and over $553,000 in earnings. His career statistics show remarkable success with 794 wins from 6,378 starts and over $12 million in career earnings, demonstrating consistent competence across all levels.​

The Bernardini-Barbaran combination adds significant value, as this partnership has shown effectiveness throughout the meet. Photo Finish’s fresh form from her recent Mountaineer victory provides the strongest single angle in the race.

Ava’s Storm (#8) – 6YO Mare – 123 lbs

Jockey: Kevin Gonzalez
Trainer: Eric R. Reed

Ava’s Storm brings compelling recent form, having “made ground late to win last start at Belterra Park” while showing exceptional consistency with “three wins from six attempts this campaign”. This mare demonstrates significant improvement and momentum heading into tonight’s allowance optional claiming event.​

Her ability to close strongly in recent starts suggests she will benefit from the expected pace pressure in this competitive field. The six-year-old mare’s experience and current form trajectory make her a serious threat to the favorite.

Votary (#7) – 6YO Mare – 123 lbs

Jockey: Bailey Weatherly
Trainer: Inocencio Quezada

Professional analysis indicates Votary “presents the strongest winning profile with exceptional GSV of 53.47 and a dosage index of 7.80 that perfectly suits this 6-furlong distance”. These genetic indicators suggest superior breeding for the sprint distance and conditions.​

Trainer Inocencio Quezada provides solid credentials, while Bailey Weatherly offers tactical riding skills particularly effective at the Mountaineer surface. The combination creates a formidable challenge for the race favorites.

Secondary Contenders

Je Suis Rapide (#3) – 6YO Mare – 123 lbs

Jockey: Angel I. Diaz
Trainer: Julie Stansbury

Je Suis Rapide brings proven speed and experience at the distance with Angel Diaz providing tactical riding from the middle of the field. This mare shows consistent form in similar company and should factor in the outcome.

Echo Lake (#2) – 4YO Filly – 118 lbs

Jockey: Maikol Vilchez
Trainer: Juan C. Vazquez

Echo Lake receives a significant weight advantage carrying only 118 pounds compared to the 123 assigned to most rivals. The five-pound concession could prove decisive in this competitive allowance event, particularly with the conditions allowing weight relief for recent non-winners.

Legacy Trail (#4) – 4YO Filly – 123 lbs

Jockey: Andrew R. Ramgeet
Trainer: Tina Ramgeet

Legacy Trail represents the Ramgeet family operation with proven form in allowance company. The four-year-old filly brings solid credentials and tactical speed that could position her favorably in the race flow.

Longshots to Consider

St Bernadette (#1) – 3YO Filly – 114 lbs

Jockey: Michael Y. Pagan
Trainer: Alexis Cordero-Lopez

St Bernadette receives the most significant weight advantage in the field, carrying only 114 pounds as a three-year-old with apprentice allowances. This seven to nine-pound advantage over older rivals could create value at longer odds.

Cant Fake the Hate (#6) – 4YO Filly – 123 lbs

Jockey: Charle Oliveros
Trainer: Eric R. Reed

Cant Fake the Hate represents trainer Eric Reed’s second entry alongside Ava’s Storm, suggesting stable confidence in both runners. The four-year-old filly provides potential value as a longshot alternative.

Pace Analysis

The six-furlong distance should produce honest early fractions with Je Suis Rapide and potentially Photo Finish showing early speed from favorable positions. Echo Lake brings tactical speed from the outside, while Ava’s Storm and Votary provide strong closing threats.

The race sets up favorably for horses with tactical speed who can press the early pace and maintain their momentum through the stretch. Late runners like Ava’s Storm should benefit from the expected pace pressure up front.

Key Angles

The Jay Bernardini factor provides the strongest trainer angle, as the leading conditioner sends out Photo Finish with excellent recent form and proven success at the meet. His statistics of 47 wins from 246 starts represent an exceptional 19.1% win rate at the current meet.​

Photo Finish’s status as “last start winner at Mountaineer” creates the most compelling single horse angle, particularly coming back fresh from a strategic five-week layoff.​

Ava’s Storm’s current campaign form showing “three wins from six attempts” indicates a mare at peak effectiveness who should continue her winning ways.​

The genetic superiority noted for Votary with her “exceptional GSV of 53.47 and dosage index of 7.80” provides scientific backing for her chances at the six-furlong distance.​

Wagering Recommendations

Race 8 – Claiming (9:55 PM)

1 Mile Dirt – $9,000 Purse – 3YO+ Non-Winners of Four or No Wins in 2025 – $4,000 Claiming – 12 Horses

Key Contenders

Red Shaheen (#2) receives Racing Dudes support at 3-1 odds with the Matejka-Murgia combination. This three-year-old gelding brings improvement potential in the bottom-level claiming ranks.​

Dreamwithinadream (#1) offers route experience with Yan Aviles riding for trainer Eddie Clouston. The five-year-old gelding shows familiarity with the distance.

Shiva (#4) trained by Claudie Godsey Jr. with Deshawn Parker provides another route-tested contender.

Secondary Choices

Thispointintime (#5) brings experience with Limber Taboada Flores aboard for trainer Paul Melancon.

Longshots to Consider

Brio (#9) offers potential value with Bailey Weatherly riding for trainer John Brown at longer odds.

Pace Analysis

The large field and mile distance should produce honest pace throughout, setting up well for horses with tactical speed and stamina.

Selections: Win: Red Shaheen, Place: Dreamwithinadream, Show: Shiva

Jockey Notes and Insights

Deshawn Parker continues strong form for the leading Silva barn and should be followed throughout the card. Ricardo Barrios brings solid experience across multiple races tonight. Bailey Weatherly offers tactical riding skills particularly effective at the Mountaineer surface.​

Erik Barbaran provides strong finisher credentials and should be noted in sprint races. Kevin Gonzalez brings proven ability from the rail and outside posts. Antioco Murgia teams with trainer Pavel Matejka in multiple spots tonight.

Trainer Notes and Insights

Jose Luna Silva leads all trainers at the meet with exceptional statistics: 84 wins from 363 starts and over $817,000 in earnings. Silva’s horses should receive strong consideration across multiple races tonight.​

Eddie Clouston ranks second among leading trainers with 49 wins from 294 starts and over $514,000 in earnings. Pavel Matejka brings solid credentials with multiple runners tonight. Jay Bernardini offers proven success in allowance company.​

Virginia Demczyk shows consistent form with her stable runners. Ralph Martinez brings experience in claiming races. Elliot Sullivan provides solid training for maiden and lower-level claiming events.

Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays

Focus on the Silva barn’s strong statistics throughout the card, particularly with Toughness in Race 3 and Isabel Ludlow in Race 5. The Racing Dudes selections provide solid value with their consistent handicapping success at the meet.​

Consider exacta boxes featuring Silva-trained horses with other logical contenders. Daily doubles connecting Silva horses across multiple races offer potential value. Pick 3 sequences targeting the middle races (3-4-5) where Silva has strong representation provide solid wagering opportunities.

Trifecta plays should focus on races with smaller fields where longshots can factor, particularly in the allowance events. The maiden races offer potential for higher payouts with less predictable outcomes.

Late Pick 4 coverage spanning races 5-8 allows for broader coverage including value selections from established connections. Focus on horses showing recent positive form indicators and proven distance capabilities for the route for the route events.