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The Pick Pony Handicapper’s Report is published daily and provides analysis of all races on the card. A Pick Pony analyst prepares the report, so selections may differ from the Pick Pony Expert Picks, which are based on the consensus of all Pick Pony analysts.

Mahoning Valley presents an eight-race card featuring Ohio-bred competition mixed with open claiming events. The card opens with a maiden special weight for two-year-old Ohio-bred fillies and concludes with a starter allowance for fillies and mares. The purse structure ranges from $10,900 to $31,800, indicating solid betting handle expectations for a Tuesday afternoon program.​

Weather and Track Conditions

Current weather conditions show partly cloudy skies with temperatures reaching 58 degrees and winds from the west at 12 mph. The track is listed as fast, providing consistent racing conditions for handicappers. Morning humidity stands at 77 percent with clear visibility, creating favorable racing weather. No precipitation is forecast for race time, ensuring the dirt track will maintain its fast designation throughout the afternoon.​

Race 1 Analysis – Maiden Special Weight

This race for two-year-old Ohio-bred fillies at six furlongs begins with several first-time starters who have limited form to analyze. Trainer Yoni Orantes enters two horses with Mo Don’t Stop and Electric Eden, showing confidence in his stable’s young horses. Both fillies from the Orantes barn deserve attention due to the trainer’s double entry approach.

Maximum Legend shows the most professional connections with jockey Mauro Cedillo and trainer James Jackson, suggesting preparedness for debut. The filly draws post four, providing tactical flexibility in the six-furlong sprint. Bokeh presents intriguing potential with jockey Yan Aviles, who maintains solid statistics at the current meet.​

No Napping represents value consideration at longer odds with trainer Jay Bernardini’s solid reputation developing young horses. The daughter carries the rails-drawn disadvantage but compensates with experienced connections.​

Selection: Maximum Legend to win, Bokeh to place, Mo Don’t Stop for show value.

Race 2 Analysis – Claiming

TThis claiming event for registered Ohio-bred fillies and mares at $8,000 presents a competitive seven-horse field racing six furlongs on the dirt. The $21,500 purse attracts horses seeking class relief in the Ohio-bred restricted ranks, creating solid betting opportunities for handicappers.​

Key Contenders

Hello Sweets emerges as the primary contender showing strong recent form with three victories from seven career attempts. The five-year-old mare brings proven ability at this claiming level with trainer Ivan Calderon’s patient development approach. Jockey Erik Barbaran provides solid riding statistics at the current meet, particularly effective with claiming level competition. The mare’s experience advantage over younger fillies creates significant tactical benefits in the competitive field.​

Amy’s Star represents the most accomplished runner with consistent claiming form patterns. The four-year-old filly draws favorably in post three with Mauro Cedillo aboard, whose aggressive riding style suits the six-furlong sprint distance. Trainer Louis Ruberto Jr. maintains excellent statistics with claiming level fillies, suggesting proper placement for today’s conditions. The filly’s breeding indicates tactical speed that should secure favorable early positioning.​

Instigation offers significant value as a three-year-old receiving weight allowances against older competition. The filly carries 122 pounds compared to 124 for older horses, providing a meaningful two-pound advantage. Jockey Jose Bracho brings pace-pressing tactics that suit the sprint distance, particularly effective in claiming company. Trainer Justin Radosevich shows consistent results with younger horses stepping up in class.​

Secondary Choices

Lady Fortune brings six-year-old experience with tactical versatility for the distance. The mare draws the outside post position, allowing tactical flexibility as the field develops early pace. Jockey Victor Fernandez maintains solid win percentages with established trainer partnerships at the current meet. The mare’s claiming history suggests comfort at today’s level with recent training patterns indicating readiness.​

Diamonds N Dew adds eight-year-old veteran presence with trainer Shane Meyers’ claiming expertise. The mare’s experience provides tactical awareness in competitive fields, though recent form requires improvement. Jockey Luis Rivera brings aggressive riding style that could prove effective if early pace develops favorably.​

Pace Analysis

The six-furlong distance favors early speed with positioning crucial throughout the race. Hello Sweets brings proven tactical speed that should secure favorable early position without excessive pressure. Amy’s Star possesses similar pace capabilities, creating potential early confrontation between the top choices.​

Instigation adds pace-pressing ability from post four, potentially applying pressure to the leaders while maintaining striking position. The expected early fractions should develop at moderate levels with acceleration through the final quarter-mile determining the outcome.​

Track Conditions and Angles

The fast track surface provides consistent racing conditions favoring horses with proven dirt form. Ohio-bred restricted races typically produce competitive fields with multiple horses possessing winning chances. The claiming price of $8,000 creates proper class level for horses seeking form reversal.​

Recent racing at Mahoning Valley shows consistent results for horses with tactical speed and favorable post positions. The afternoon timing allows horses to benefit from settled track conditions without weather concerns.​

Wagering Strategy

Race 3 Analysis – Claiming

The third race presents a competitive claiming field with horses seeking breakthrough performances. Florida Gator brings consistent effort patterns with trainer Jay Bernardini’s solid claiming statistics. The six-year-old gelding shows tactical speed that suits the six-furlong distance.​

Making Me Crazy offers pace pressing ability with jockey Miguel Martinez’s aggressive riding style. The seven-year-old gelding’s recent workouts suggest improved fitness for trainer Joseph Mahan. Blue Max presents closing ability in what appears to be a pace-dependent race.​

Monterey Peninsula adds experience from post one but faces challenges overcoming the rail position. Supply Chain brings Jay Bernardini’s training expertise with tactical versatility. Fat Daddy represents longshot value with eleven years of racing experience.​

Selection: Florida Gator to win, Making Me Crazy to place, Blue Max for show value.

Race 4 Analysis – Claiming

Race four features early odds suggesting Maxwell Esquire as the 2-1 morning line favorite with Dream Knight at 3-1 second choice. This claiming sprint at 5.5 furlongs creates pace scenarios favoring early speed. Maxwell Esquire brings proven ability with trainer Jay Bernardini’s consistent claiming results.​

David’s Gem shows value at 7-2 morning line odds with tactical speed suiting the shorter distance. The eight-year-old gelding draws middle post position allowing tactical flexibility. Amigo’s Affair represents pace presence with twelve years of racing experience.​

Dream Knight faces scratching concerns but maintains 3-1 odds if declared to run. Agnello’s Dream offers closing ability at 8-1 morning line value. The claiming conditions suit multiple runners creating competitive wagering opportunities.​

Selection: Maxwell Esquire to win, David’s Gem to place, Dream Knight if running for show.

Race 5 Analysis – Claiming

This Ohio-bred claiming event at one mile creates opportunities for horses seeking class relief. Gray Tormentor brings four-year-old improvement potential with trainer Ivan Vazquez’s patient development. The gelding’s breeding suggests stamina for the mile distance.​

Agnello City presents dual trainer Jeffrey Skerrett representation alongside Hidden Heart. The stable’s confidence with two entries suggests strong preparation. Atlas Falls offers three-year-old improvement with trainer Eric Reed’s stakes experience.​

Wandalou’s Pride draws the rail position requiring tactical awareness from jockey Alejandro Gomez. Turkodancer adds pace versatility with trainer Joshua Langley’s claiming expertise. He Is Dynamic receives weight allowances as a three-year-old facing older competition.​

Selection: Gray Tormentor to win, Atlas Falls to place, Agnello City for show consideration.

Race 6 Analysis – Claiming

The sixth race claiming event presents value opportunities with competitive older horses. Thefrontiersman brings tactical versatility with trainer Karyn Wittek’s claiming expertise. The four-year-old gelding shows consistent effort patterns suiting today’s class level.​

Charlieslitldevil offers pace pressing ability with jockey Erik Barbaran’s aggressive riding style. The four-year-old gelding’s recent form suggests readiness for improvement. Tapintoyourbeer adds experience advantages with six years of claiming competition.​

Unusual Activity presents closing ability in pace-dependent scenarios. The five-year-old gelding’s trainer Paul Melancon maintains solid claiming statistics. Improbable Cause offers three-year-old improvement potential facing older horses.​

Selection: Thefrontiersman to win, Charlieslitldevil to place, Tapintoyourbeer for show value.

Race 7 Analysis – Allowance

This allowance feature represents the richest race on the afternoon card with a $25,900 purse, attracting nine fillies and mares aged three and upward. The mile and 70-yard distance on dirt provides tactical opportunities for horses with proven route experience in allowance company. The condition for horses that have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, starter, or Ohio bred creates competitive balance throughout the field.​

Key Contenders

Our Last Song emerges as the morning line favorite bringing proven allowance experience with trainer Timothy Hamm’s expert guidance. The six-year-old mare shows a solid 25% win rate with two victories from eight career starts, indicating consistent competitive ability. Her recent allowance form includes placing in stakes company at Mahoning Valley, demonstrating class level suitable for today’s conditions. Jockey Laureano Sosa provides tactical riding expertise that maximizes opportunities in route races.​

The Timothy Hamm stable shows tremendous confidence with dual entry Toastmaster completing their powerful combination. The three-year-old filly by Take Charge Indy brings improving form patterns with recent allowance experience providing preparation for today’s engagement. Jockey Rocco Bowen maintains solid statistics with the Hamm stable, creating a formidable trainer-jockey partnership. The filly’s breeding suggests route capability with tactical speed that should secure favorable positioning.​

Lady Lala represents significant class with trainer Karyn Wittek’s proven ability developing fillies and mares. The four-year-old filly brings recent form from major tracks including Keeneland and Horseshoe Indianapolis, providing valuable class experience. Her connections show confidence placing her in this competitive allowance field after racing at higher levels. Jockey Oscar Villarreal adds tactical versatility with experience maximizing opportunities in route competition.​

Secondary Choices

Late Nite Lizzie offers compelling value with trainer Rey Juarez-Mendoza’s patient development approach. The four-year-old filly by Palace Malice shows excellent statistics with 40% win rate and career earnings of $77,588. Her breeding suggests stamina for the mile distance with tactical speed providing early positioning advantages. Jockey Jose Bracho brings aggressive riding tactics particularly effective in competitive allowance fields.​

Ima Mom brings consistent effort patterns with trainer Ivan Vazquez’s claiming and allowance expertise. The four-year-old filly shows three wins from 15 career starts with recent form indicating improvement potential. Her connections demonstrate patience with proper placement, suggesting readiness for this class advancement. Recent workouts indicate peak physical condition for the competitive allowance engagement.​

Little Sister Sue adds veteran experience with trainer Genaro Garcia’s proven ability with older mares. The six-year-old mare by Klimt brings victories at quality tracks including Horseshoe Indianapolis and Turfway Park. Her recent winning form at Turfway Park on February 6th demonstrates current competitive ability. The mare’s breeding indicates route preferences with tactical versatility suiting various race scenarios.​

Pace Analysis

The mile and 70-yard distance creates moderate early pace expectations with positioning crucial through the first turn. Our Last Song brings proven tactical speed that should secure favorable early position without excessive pressure. Lady Lala possesses similar pace capabilities, potentially creating early confrontation between the top choices.​

Toastmaster adds pace pressing ability from the rail position, possibly applying pressure to leaders while maintaining striking position. The expected early fractions should develop at measured levels with acceleration through the final quarter-mile determining the outcome.​

Track Conditions and Angles

The fast track surface provides consistent racing conditions favoring horses with proven dirt form. Allowance races at Mahoning Valley typically produce competitive fields with multiple horses possessing winning chances. The substantial purse attracts quality horses seeking class advancement or form confirmation.​

Recent racing at Mahoning Valley shows consistent results for horses with tactical speed and favorable post positions. The afternoon timing allows horses to benefit from settled track conditions without weather complications.​

Wagering Strategy

Race 8 Analysis – Starter Allowance

The closing starter allowance for fillies and mares creates opportunities for horses with claiming backgrounds. A New Peace brings nine years of racing experience with trainer Larry Smith’s patient approach. The mare’s class progression suggests readiness for this level.​

Dreaming of Audrey offers proven starter allowance experience with trainer Jeffrey Radosevich’s expertise. The seven-year-old mare draws favorably in post four. Autism Compassion presents pace pressing ability with trainer Dino DiZeo’s aggressive training methods.​

Chess Not Checkers adds tactical versatility with six years of racing experience. The mare’s trainer Jeffrey Radosevich saddles dual entries suggesting stable confidence. Beautiful Mandate offers closing ability in pace-dependent scenarios.​

Selection: A New Peace to win, Dreaming of Audrey to place, Autism Compassion for show value.

Jockey Analysis

Mauro Cedillo maintains strong statistics at the current meet with tactical awareness suiting claiming competition. Jose Bracho brings aggressive riding style particularly effective in pace-pressing situations. Erik Barbaran shows consistent effort with claiming level horses throughout the meeting.​

Yan Aviles demonstrates tactical flexibility particularly effective with younger horses. Victor Fernandez maintains solid win percentages with trainer partnerships established at the meet. Fernando Salazar Becerra shows improving form with multiple mounts throughout today’s card.​

Trainer Analysis

Jay Bernardini leads today’s trainers with multiple entries suggesting stable confidence. Jeffrey Skerrett maintains dual entries in key races indicating strong preparation. Timothy Hamm brings stakes experience to allowance competition with patient development methods.​

Joseph Mahan demonstrates consistent claiming results with tactical race placement. Justin Radosevich shows improvement with younger horses particularly in maiden company. Ivan Vazquez brings patient development particularly effective with Ohio-bred competition.​

Best Wagering Strategies

Daily double opportunities exist connecting competitive races with overlays in maiden and claiming events. Exacta wagering shows value in races with clear top choices and competitive second-tier horses. Trifecta opportunities present themselves in larger fields with multiple pace scenarios.​

Late Pick 4 wagering beginning with Race 5 offers value given competitive allowance and starter allowance features. Single race win betting provides solid value in races with clear top choices and favorable odds. Place and show wagering creates opportunities in competitive claiming events with tight odds.​