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Mountaineer Park features an eight-race card with competitive claiming and maiden races on Sunday evening, November 9, 2025. The event starts at 7:00 PM EST and includes a variety of sprint and route races with purses from $8,000 to $17,000. The program highlights several top connections at the Chester, West Virginia track, including leading trainer Jose Luna Silva and top jockey Luis Negron, who has a 19.35% win rate at the current meet. The night mainly features claiming-level races, with several horses dropping in class, offering chances for value-seeking bettors.
Weather and Track Conditions
Chester, West Virginia is forecast to experience rain with temperatures reaching 46°F during the day and dropping to 25°F overnight. Patchy fog is expected in the morning with showers throughout the day and evening hours. The precipitation could impact the dirt track surface, potentially creating an off track. As of November 4, the main track was listed as fast, but bettors should monitor conditions closely before post time. Horses with proven form on wet surfaces will have a distinct advantage if the track comes up muddy or sloppy. The cooler temperatures and potential moisture favor closers who can stay out of kickback on the sealed surface.
Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight
Post Time: 7:00 PM
5 Furlongs Dirt, Purse $17,000, 2-Year-Old Fillies
Key Contenders
Clam Beach represents the powerful Jose Luna Silva barn and draws jockey Deshawn Parker, who has 67 wins from 287 starts this year at Mountaineer. Silva leads all trainers at the current meet with 85 victories from 370 starts, giving this combination significant weight. The filly breaks from post 7, providing tactical flexibility in the five-furlong dash. Silva’s 23% win rate with first-time starters makes any debut runner from his barn a serious threat.
Tijuana Bunny is also trained by Silva and shows the L designation for Lasix, which often helps first-time starters. The post 6 position puts her in striking range, and Luis Negron takes the mount. Negron leads the jockey colony with a 19% win rate and excels in sprint races. The Silva-Negron partnership has been particularly effective this meet, combining for multiple victories.
Secondary Choices
Lightning Lane brings experience from Presque Isle Downs for trainer Jamen Davidovich and catches Kyle Gilbert, though Gilbert’s 6.7% win rate suggests limited impact. The scratch history from October 16 at Presque Isle indicates possible fitness concerns, though the re-entry suggests connections feel the filly is ready.
Mil Amores represents trainer Paulo Lobo and jockey Charle Oliveros, who has surpassed 1,000 career wins with a solid 13% win rate. The post 4 position provides a stalking opportunity in this maiden heat.
Longshots
Charthena was scratched by the veterinarian twice in October, raising red flags about her physical condition. The Donald Blankenship trainee would need significant improvement to factor with Kevin Gonzalez aboard.
Pace Analysis
The five-furlong distance favors early speed, and La Monarca and La Pacifica from the Kelly Fernandez barn will likely contest the early lead from posts 2 and 3. This setup could create a hot pace that favors the Silva duo closing from the outside. Clam Beach and Tijuana Bunny should benefit from a tracking trip while the inside speeds duel through quick fractions.
Selections
Win: Clam Beach
Place: Tijuana Bunny
Show: Mil Amores
Race 2 – Maiden Claiming
Post Time: 7:25 PM
6 Furlongs Dirt, Purse $8,000, 3-Year-Olds and Up, Claiming $4,000
Key Contenders
Fantasma makes his third career start for the Silva-Negron combination and adds Lasix. The post 1 position allows tactical speed, and the gelding has shown improvement in recent workouts. Silva’s 12% win rate in maiden claimers makes this runner live at the $4,000 level. The addition of leading rider Negron significantly improves the mount from his previous outings.
Warrior of Gold ships in for James Watkins with Alexander Bendezu riding. The post 2 draw provides a good stalking position, and the gelding shows the Lasix designation, often helpful for maidens finding their best effort.
Secondary Choices
Shore Time drops to his lowest claiming level at $4,000 and switches to Michael Pagan, who maintains solid statistics at the track. The four-year-old colt carries only 119 pounds due to the apprentice allowance, making him competitive if he can handle the class drop.
Carolina Cherokee brings the most experience in the field for trainer Jennifer Johnson and Charle Oliveros. The seven-time loser may struggle to reverse form against fresher opponents.
Pace Analysis
Fantasma and Warrior of Gold will likely establish early fractions from the inside posts, with Shore Time tracking in third. The pace should be moderate, setting up a stretch duel between the top three. Closers like Gruit and Powder Skier face difficult trips against the early speed bias in maiden claimers at this level.
Selections
Win: Fantasma
Place: Warrior of Gold
Show: Shore Time
Race 3 – Claiming
Post Time: 7:50 PM
5.5 Furlongs Dirt, Purse $10,000, Fillies and Mares 3YO+, Claiming $4,000
Key Contenders
Stratogale has faced considerably tougher competition in recent starts and drops significantly in class for Jose Luna Silva. Luis Negron retains the mount from post 4, providing tactical position in the sprint distance. The mare was scratched by veterinarians and stewards in October, but her return suggests she’s physically fit. Silva excels when dropping horses in class, posting a 15% win rate in such situations.
Onacounta finished third in stronger company and maintains form for trainer Ben Delong with Charle Oliveros riding. The post 2 position allows her to press the pace, and Oliveros knows Mountaineer’s surface well with over 1,000 career victories.
Secondary Choices
Whats Goin On drops down for trainer Juan Carlos Gotera and picks up apprentice Michael Pagan’s weight allowance. The six-year-old mare gets seven pounds off at 116 pounds, which could prove decisive in a tight finish. The recent scratch at Presque Isle indicates a freshening that may help her bounce back.
Future Flay brings closing ability for Francisco Ramos but has been scratched by veterinarians recently, suggesting potential physical issues. The post 6 position makes it difficult to overcome the early speed.
Pace Analysis
Team Feisty will likely establish the early lead from the rail with Onacounta pressing. Stratogale should sit in a perfect stalking position before launching a bid in the stretch. The pace setup favors horses with tactical speed who can avoid the worst of any track kickback in wet conditions.
Selections
Win: Stratogale
Place: Onacounta
Show: Whats Goin On
Race 4 – Claiming
Post Time: 8:15 PM
6 Furlongs Dirt, Purse $8,500, 3YO+, Claiming $4,000
Key Contenders
Sournois brings competitive recent efforts and draws post 4 with Kevin Gonzalez aboard for Geraldine Rodak. The nine-year-old gelding has been competitive at this level and fits with similar horses based on recent running lines. The middle post position provides options for a stalking or pressing trip depending on pace dynamics.
Town Jak represents Jeffrey Smith and Alejandro Gomez from post 3. The nine-year-old veteran knows his way to the winner’s circle and fits with this group. The inside post could prove beneficial if the rail is playing fair on a potentially wet surface.
Secondary Choices
Baron’s Legacy breaks from post 6 for John Carlisle and Deshawn Parker. The five-year-old gelding has shown flashes of ability and gets a rider who has been performing exceptionally well with 67 wins this year. The outside post provides clear sailing but requires speed to overcome the wide journey.
Spanish Doubloon represents the Watkins-Bendezu combination and shows consistency in recent efforts. The five-year-old gelding from post 8 faces a wide trip but could close late if the pace collapses.
Pace Analysis
Professional and Tappin Royalty will likely establish honest fractions from the inside posts, setting up a pace that could favor mid-pack stalkers. Sournois and Town Jak should secure perfect striking positions while the speed burns out. Baron’s Legacy and Spanish Doubloon must hope for a contested pace to rally from the back.
Selections
Win: Sournois
Place: Town Jak
Show: Baron’s Legacy
Race 5 – Claiming
Post Time: 8:40 PM
1 Mile Dirt, Purse $9,000, Fillies and Mares 3YO+, Claiming $7,500
Key Contenders
Right Brightly represents the powerful Silva-Negron team from the rail position in this route race. The three-year-old filly for Julie Mathes shows the Lasix designation and should secure a perfect stalking trip from the inside post. Negron excels in routing situations, and Silva’s statistics show strong performance when stretching horses out to two turns. The rail could provide a significant advantage on a potentially wet surface where saving ground matters.
Nun Gimel Hay Po brings routing experience for Jeff Fletcher with Yuri Yaranga aboard. The four-year-old filly from post 3 has competitive recent efforts and fits with this group. Fletcher has been competitive at Mountaineer with several placings in similar company.
Secondary Choices
Beaches and Pearls represents Kent Knudsen and Deshawn Parker from post 7. The three-year-old filly has shown improvement and gets one of the meet’s leading riders. Parker’s 23% win rate over the past year demonstrates his closing ability in routes.
Portia’s Hope brings experience for William McDonald from post 9. The five-year-old mare with Kyle Gilbert faces a difficult outside post but has enough tactical speed to overcome the wide draw if she’s sharp.
Longshots
Veracious Vera trained by Juan Raul Aguirre breaks from post 10 with Limber Taboada Flores. The four-year-old filly faces a near-impossible task from the outside in an 11-horse field but offers value for exotic players if the pace collapses.
Pace Analysis
Take Over and Right Brightly will likely establish moderate fractions through the early stages, with several others pressing. The mile distance allows for pace adjustments, and closers should have opportunities late. The large field creates traffic concerns, making post position crucial. Right Brightly’s rail draw provides the most economical trip, while outside runners like Veracious Vera and Slainte Mhath face challenging journeys.
Selections
Win: Right Brightly
Place: Nun Gimel Hay Po
Show: Beaches and Pearls
Race 6 – Claiming
Post Time: 9:05 PM
6 Furlongs Dirt, Purse $12,200, 3YO+, Claiming $7,500
Key Contenders
Mean Tweets represents Randy Bayley and Joe Stokes from post 3. The five-year-old gelding carries full weight at 126 pounds and has been competitive in similar company. The middle post provides tactical options, and Stokes knows the track well from regular riding at Mountaineer. The gelding fits with this group based on recent speed figures.
Cost Basis drops down for Julie Mathes and Luis Negron from post 5. The eight-year-old gelding gets three pounds off for not winning recently and draws the meet’s leading rider. Negron’s 19% win rate and 54% in-the-money percentage make any mount he accepts a serious contender. Mathes has been training well this meet with multiple winners.
Secondary Choices
Jack Bob and Larry represents Sara Stanoszek and Charle Oliveros from post 4. The six-year-old gelding gets three pounds off and fits with this claiming group. Oliveros maintains a solid 13% win rate and knows how to win at Mountaineer.
Khozan’s Valentine brings closing ability for Ben Delong from post 7. Alexander Bendezu takes the mount on the eight-year-old gelding who gets the weight allowance. The outside post requires pace help to close late.
Pace Analysis
Offutt Cole will likely establish the early lead from the rail with Game Boy Benny pressing. Mean Tweets and Jack Bob and Larry should sit in perfect stalking positions while Cost Basis tracks from midpack. The pace should be honest, setting up stretch running. Afraidofthebunny gets a significant seven-pound weight advantage with apprentice Pagan but faces a class test.
Selections
Win: Cost Basis
Place: Mean Tweets
Show: Jack Bob and Larry
Race 7 – Claiming
Post Time: 9:30 PM
4.5 Furlongs Dirt, Purse $8,500, 3YO+, Claiming $4,000
Key Contenders
Mr. Pollo represents the Silva-Negron combination in this short sprint. The three-year-old gelding from post 7 carries only 121 pounds and should benefit from a perfect stalking trip. Silva’s statistics in sprints under five furlongs show strong performance, and Negron’s tactical skills shine in these quick races. The outside post actually helps in the short run, allowing the gelding to avoid early traffic.
Charlicito brings tactical speed for Horacio Barbaran with Erik Barbaran riding. The four-year-old colt from post 5 has shown ability in similar company and fits with this claiming level. The middle post provides options to press or stalk depending on pace dynamics.
Secondary Choices
Evanesco represents John Carlisle and Deshawn Parker from post 3. The six-year-old gelding has experience at the distance and gets one of the meet’s top riders. Parker’s strong statistics give this runner a chance despite ordinary recent form.
Skylar’s Brother was scratched due to private veterinary illness in September, raising fitness concerns. The Virginia Demczyk trainee from post 6 would need significant improvement to factor with Ricardo Barrios aboard.
Pace Analysis
The 4.5-furlong distance creates an all-out sprint where post position matters significantly. Dudewithaname and Charlicito will likely duel for early supremacy, with Mr. Pollo and Evanesco tracking closely. The pace will be fast from the start, and horses with tactical speed will have advantages over pure closers. Free America gets seven pounds off with apprentice Pagan but faces difficult odds from post 4.
Selections
Win: Mr. Pollo
Place: Charlicito
Show: Evanesco
Race 8 – Claiming
Post Time: 9:55 PM
6 Furlongs Dirt, Purse $8,500, 3YO+, Claiming $4,000
Key Contenders
Joe Phillips represents the Silva-Negron partnership in the nightcap from post 7. The seven-year-old gelding fits with this claiming level and draws the leading connections at the meet. Silva’s late-race winning percentage exceeds 14%, making his horses in the final race particularly dangerous. Negron has been exceptional throughout the card and should have this gelding positioned for a strong finish.
You Are Awesome returns to Mountaineer for trainer Timothy Gilbert with his son Kyle Gilbert riding from post 5. The seven-year-old gelding knows the track well and has competitive recent efforts. The Gilbert family connection often produces results when their horses are fit and ready.
Secondary Choices
Call Me Drossel represents the Watkins-Bendezu team from post 3. The eight-year-old gelding has been consistent in similar company and fits with this group. Bendezu has been riding well this meet, though his overall numbers trail the leading riders.
Beach Holiday brings closing ability for Fernando Vergara from post 2. Alejandro Gomez takes the mount on the six-year-old gelding who needs pace help to rally late. The inside post could prove beneficial if the rail plays fair in potentially wet conditions.
Pace Analysis
Crafty Conquest will establish the early lead from the rail with Beach Holiday pressing. Joe Phillips and You Are Awesome should secure ideal stalking positions in midpack before launching stretch bids. Act of Valor gets seven pounds off with Pagan but faces difficult odds from the outside. Somerset Bay and O Romeo need strong pace collapses to factor from the back of the pack.
Selections
Win: Joe Phillips
Place: You Are Awesome
Show: Call Me Drossel
Jockey Notes and Insights
Luis Negron dominates the Mountaineer jockey colony with 89 wins from 460 mounts over the past 12 months, producing a 19.35% win rate and 54.13% in-the-money percentage. His partnership with leading trainer Jose Luna Silva creates multiple live opportunities throughout the card. Negron excels in both sprint and route races and shows particularly strong statistics when riding favorites and second choices.
Deshawn Parker ranks among the top riders at the current meet with 67 wins from 287 starts in 2025 and earnings exceeding $1.2 million. Parker demonstrates excellent closing ability in route races and maintains a strong 23% win rate over the past year. His mounts in races 1, 4, 5, and 7 warrant serious consideration, particularly when paired with competitive trainers.
Charle Oliveros brings veteran experience with over 1,000 career victories and maintains a solid 13% win rate. Oliveros has earned over $14 million in purses throughout his career and knows Mountaineer’s surface intimately. His tactical skills shine in competitive claiming races where experience matters most.
Michael Pagan’s seven-pound apprentice allowance provides significant value in competitive races. The bug boy has been riding regularly at Mountaineer and shows improvement with each passing week. His mounts getting the weight allowance offer exotic wagering value, particularly in full fields where every pound matters.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Jose Luna Silva leads all trainers at Mountaineer with 85 wins from 370 starts during the current meet, posting a 23% win rate and nearly $835,000 in earnings. Silva excels with horses dropping in class and shows particularly strong statistics when adding Lasix to first-time starters. His partnership with Luis Negron produces consistent results, and his multiple entries throughout tonight’s card deserve respect.
Julie Mathes maintains solid statistics at Mountaineer with competitive horses at various claiming levels. Her runners in races 2 and 6 fit well with their respective competition, and the Mathes-Negron partnership has been effective this meet. Mathes demonstrates patience with her horses, allowing them to find appropriate class levels.
Ben Delong sends out multiple runners tonight with competitive recent form. His horses typically improve with class drops and often show their best efforts when fresh. The Delong barn deserves attention in races 3 and 6 where his runners fit well with their competition.
James Watkins teams with jockey Alexander Bendezu multiple times on the card. The partnership has shown consistency in claiming races, and their runners typically demonstrate honest effort regardless of odds. Watkins horses often improve when stretching out in distance or adding Lasix.
Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
The Silva-Negron partnership creates multiple single opportunities in races 1, 3, 5, 7, and 8. Using these horses as keys in exactas and trifectas provides solid exotic wagering value. Consider boxing the Silva horses with Parker mounts in horizontal exotics for maximum coverage.
The weather conditions favor inside posts and horses with proven wet-track form. If the track comes up muddy or sloppy, adjust selections toward horses with demonstrated ability on off surfaces. Closers may struggle if kickback becomes a factor on a sealed surface.
Race 5 presents the best value opportunity with an 11-horse field creating generous exotic payoffs. Right Brightly from the rail offers single potential, while using multiple horses in second and third creates attractive trifecta and superfecta combinations. Key the Silva filly on top in exactas with Nun Gimel Hay Po, Beaches and Pearls, and Portia’s Hope underneath.
The late Pick 3 covering races 6-7-8 offers value with Cost Basis, Mr. Pollo, and Joe Phillips providing single opportunities. A modest investment using these selections with secondary choices creates strong winning chances at attractive prices.
Consider vertical wager sequences starting in race 3, using Stratogale as a single before expanding coverage in subsequent legs. The Pick 4 and Pick 5 pools at Mountaineer typically offer generous payoffs relative to investment, making them attractive for skilled handicappers willing to commit to multiple-race sequences.
