Posted inAnalysis Picks

Pick Pony Tip Sheet – Expert picks for Mountaineer, December 9, 2025.

No CommentsPosted inAnalysis, Picks


Get more in-depth analysis, expert picks, handicapper reports, AI picks, handicapping tools, in-article data tooltips, NO ADVERTISEMENTS, and other membership perks with a Pick Pony subscription!

Pick Pony takes pride in providing the most accurate expert picks available today. Pick Pony Expert Picks are carefully selected by our team of analysts based on analytics from our advanced Past Performance Sheets and Racing Forms. For potential longshot selections, check out Pick Pony's AI Picks.

Race 1 – Maiden Claiming – 1323 yards – Dirt
Win: Clearly Inish (1) – 85% confidence
Place: This Is Gloria (2) – 70% confidence
Show: Pigeon Cay (5) – 60% confidence
Alternative: Storm Creed (9) – 40% confidence

Notes: Multiple analysts highlight Clearly Inish's consistent form with two placings from three runs this prep. The horse draws perfectly to do no work and is perfectly placed. This Is Gloria shows strong form with three placings from eight runs this prep and finished third at Mountaineer last start. Storm Creed resumes from a 12-week spell and could be vulnerable against these more active competitors. The pace scenario suggests early pressure with closers having advantage.

Race 2 – Claiming – 1323 yards – Dirt
Win: Reverend Jack (4) – 75% confidence
Place: Xavi (6) – 65% confidence
Show: Blistering (9) – 55% confidence
Alternative: Shore Time (10) – 45% confidence

Notes: Reverend Jack was narrowly beaten as favorite last start at Mountaineer and the drop in distance should suit. Xavi has outstanding consistency with six placings from eight runs this prep and placed third at Horseshoe Indianapolis last start. Blistering resumes from a 15-week spell but is a last-start winner breaking maiden at Mountaineer. Shore Time should run fitter for past attempts and could surprise if the early pace collapses.

Race 3 – Claiming – 8 furlongs – Dirt
Win: Irish Declaration (4) – 80% confidence
Place: Breezy Money (3) – 70% confidence
Show: Plain Or Peanut (5) – 60% confidence
Alternative: Shouldawoodacoulda (2) – 35% confidence

Notes: Irish Declaration won once this prep at Fairmount Park five runs back and ran third at Mountaineer last start, showing strong form. Breezy Money ran third at Mountaineer when fresh and has consistent form at this track. Plain Or Peanut was a last-start winner at Mountaineer and could upset if carrying form forward. The distance suits horses with tactical speed and late kick.

Race 4 – Claiming – 1323 yards – Dirt
Win: American Of Course (2) – 75% confidence
Place: Think It Thru (4) – 70% confidence
Show: Del Rey Dolly (8) – 65% confidence
Alternative: Save The Flag (3) – 50% confidence

Notes: American Of Course has been running exceptionally well this campaign with two wins and placing in all other outings, making a leading hope. Think It Thru mirrors that form with two wins and consistent placings. Del Rey Dolly is a track specialist with two wins at Mountaineer and strong current form. Save The Flag has outstanding form at this track but draws a wider post which may compromise position.

Race 5 – Starter Allowance – 1105 yards – Dirt
Win: Gates Of Heaven (1) – 80% confidence
Place: Grand Ambition (8) – 75% confidence
Show: S S Trackside Fun (4) – 60% confidence
Alternative: Ee Yah (2) – 45% confidence

Notes: Hard to split the top two picks. Gates Of Heaven has multiple wins at Mountaineer and draws perfectly, well placed. Grand Ambition has been running well this campaign winning three times and placing in all other outings. S S Trackside Fun is in strong form with two wins from four attempts this campaign and won last start at Mountaineer. The sprint distance puts premium on early speed and sprinting ability.

Race 6 – Claiming – 995 yards – Dirt
Win: Castle Lights (4) – 70% confidence
Place: Shake It Baby (3) – 65% confidence
Show: X Gene (2) – 55% confidence
Alternative: Fancy Princess (5) – 50% confidence

Notes: Castle Lights has three placings from seven runs this prep and does best work over this trip, rating a long way in front. Shake It Baby has won twice at Mountaineer before and has two wins from six attempts this campaign. X Gene resumes from an 11-week spell but is looking for a hat trick after winning two in a row at Mountaineer. The 4½ furlong dash favors sharp finishers and early speed.

Race 7 – Claiming – 9 furlongs – Dirt
Win: Captain Creed (8) – 85% confidence
Place: Beachwalker (10) – 60% confidence
Show: Atta Boy Anthony (6) – 55% confidence
Alternative: Krug (1) – 40% confidence

Notes: Looks a toss-up between the top two selections. Captain Creed was amongst the placegetters last start running third at Mountaineer when first up and has outstanding form at this track. Beachwalker is a last-start winner at Mountaineer moving up in journey. Atta Boy Anthony resumes after an 11-week spell but has very strong form at Mountaineer. The 1 1/8 mile distance tests stamina and favors horses with tactical speed.

Race 8 – Claiming – 1214 yards – Dirt
Win: Later Days (1) – 80% confidence
Place: Echo Seven (8) – 75% confidence
Show: Miss Little Bit (4) – 60% confidence
Alternative: Jolie Ruler (5) – 35% confidence

Notes: Only one real pick to be made. Later Days won last start at Mountaineer and has placed once this prep, looking threatening. Echo Seven was a last-start winner at Mountaineer and is the one to beat. Miss Little Bit has multiple wins at Mountaineer and could upset if hitting best form. The 5½ furlong distance suits sharp sprinters with early speed.

Recommended Exotic Bets and Value Plays

Horizontal Wager Opportunities:

Exacta and Trifecta Strategies:

  • Race 1: Box Clearly Inish and This Is Gloria in exactas, add Pigeon Cay for trifectas
  • Race 4: Play American Of Course over Think It Thru and Del Rey Dolly in exactas and trifectas
  • Race 5: Key Gates Of Heaven over Grand Ambition in exactas, add S S Trackside Fun for trifectas
  • Race 8: Key Later Days over Echo Seven in exactas, include Miss Little Bit for trifecta coverage

Value Plays:

  • Race 3: Plain Or Peanut at 7-2 offers value as last-start winner dropping in class
  • Race 6: X Gene at 5-1 provides value seeking hat trick after two straight wins
  • Race 7: Beachwalker at 12-1 is interesting moving up after last-start victory
  • Race 2: Blistering at 7-2 is value returning from layoff as last-start winner

Best Single Opportunities:

  • Race 1: Clearly Inish profiles as most reliable single
  • Race 4: American Of Course shows strongest form cycle
  • Race 5: Gates Of Heaven has perfect draw and track form
  • Race 8: Later Days offers consistency at value price

Bankroll Strategy: Focus 40% of bankroll on horizontal sequences using consensus singles, 35% on exacta/trifecta tickets in races 1, 4, 5, and 8, with 25% allocated to value plays on mid-price contenders showing form improvement.

Tags:

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Talkback