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The Pick Pony Handicapper’s Report is published daily and provides analysis of all races on the card. The report is prepared by one of our Pick Pony analysts, so selections may differ from , which are based on the consensus of all analysts.
Mountaineer presents an 8-race card beginning at 7:00 PM ET with claiming races, allowance events, and maiden competitions ranging from 2 furlongs to 1 mile. Current track conditions show a fast Tapeta synthetic surface under fair weather conditions. The synthetic Tapeta surface at Mountaineer favors horses with previous synthetic experience and eliminates draw bias concerns that plague traditional dirt tracks.
Weather and Track Conditions
Fair weather conditions prevail with temperatures around 25°C and broken clouds. The Tapeta synthetic surface remains consistently fast regardless of weather conditions, providing reliable footing for all runners. Unlike traditional dirt surfaces, the synthetic material maintains uniform moisture distribution and superior drainage, ensuring no weather-related track bias.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1 – $12,500 Claiming (2 Furlongs)
Key Contenders: Can She Scoot brings tactical speed from trainer Shane Spiess with jockey Yuri Yaranga. Miss Nuckols represents the powerful combination of trainer Claudie Marshall Godsey Jr. with Ricardo Barrios. Palmary shows consistent form under trainer Susan Yoder with Brandon Tapara.
Secondary Choices: Devin On Earth from trainer Jay Bernardini pairs with Erik Barbaran and could surprise at longer odds. Coastalness carries only 114 pounds with the 3-year-old allowance.
Pace Analysis: The 2-furlong sprint distance ensures blazing early fractions with little opportunity for tactical maneuvering. Early speed will prove crucial on the synthetic surface.
Wagering Angles: Focus on horses with proven synthetic surface experience. The short distance magnifies gate position importance despite Tapeta’s reputation for eliminating draw bias.
Race 2 – $18,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (5.5 Furlongs)
Key Contenders: Dream Leader brings class relief dropping from higher claiming levels with trainer Marion Cuttino. Ruby Bay represents improving trainer Michael Jones Jr. with DeShaun Parker, Mountaineer’s all-time leading jockey with over 6,000 career wins. Emily Katherine gets the weight break as a 3-year-old.
Secondary Choices: Pour Me a Drink shows recent form improvement under trainer Jose Lopez. Spuns Kitten could benefit from the synthetic surface switch if coming off turf.
Longshot Consideration: Shotgun Margaret at 116 pounds presents value with the significant weight advantage and improving trainer John Shuler.
Pace Analysis: The 5.5-furlong distance allows for tactical speed development. Expect moderate early fractions with the winner coming from the first or second flight.
Key Angles: The DeShaun Parker mount Ruby Bay commands respect given his exceptional track record and current form.
Wagering Angles: Parker’s 30% strike rate at the current meet makes Ruby Bay the logical single in exotic wagers.
Race 3 – $9,000 Claiming (6 Furlongs)
Key Contenders: Dream Force drops in class from trainer Juan Carlos Gotera with Luis Negron. Regal Temple brings youth and potential as a 3-year-old. Mariachi Justice represents trainer Shane Spiess with proven form.
Secondary Choices: Whoop Gone starts from the rail with Kevin Gonzalez, who shows strong recent form at Mountaineer. Wiley T could benefit from the longer distance.
Longshot Consideration: Walt Whitman carries only 118 pounds and could surprise at generous odds with trainer Juan Carlos Gotera.
Pace Analysis: The 6-furlong distance provides opportunity for pace development. Synthetic surface should favor horses with proven all-weather form.
Wagering Angles: Target horses dropping in claiming level with proven synthetic experience.
Race 4 – $17,000 Maiden Special Weight (5.5 Furlongs)
Key Contenders: Midnight Stroller brings experience advantage as a 4-year-old with trainer Devan Ewell Sr. Junito’s Boy represents trainer Jacob Hess with strong recent workouts. Alwaysabiggerbear shows promise from trainer J. Michael Baird.
Secondary Choices: Fort Pitt gets Kevin Gonzalez, whose recent form suggests confidence from connections. Candy Connection could improve second time out.
Longshot Consideration: All Roads to Denis brings experience and could benefit from the longer distance at attractive odds.
Pace Analysis: Maiden races often develop chaotic early pace, favoring horses with tactical speed who can position effectively.
Key Angles: Experience proves crucial in maiden company, favoring older horses over younger rivals.
Wagering Angles: Focus on horses with multiple starts and proven gate behavior for synthetic debut.
Race 5 – $18,000 Allowance (6 Furlongs)
Key Contenders: Zen Nation brings youth and potential under trainer Jami Poole. Huggin and Lovin shows consistent form from trainer Eric Reed. Miss Jane Planar carries light weight with improving trainer John Shuler.
Secondary Choices: Toolbelt represents trainer Caio Caramori and could improve on synthetic surface. Symptomatic brings class from trainer Edwin Tobin.
Longshot Consideration: Aurora’s Music at longer odds could surprise with trainer Jeff Zook, who targets specific spots for his runners.
Pace Analysis: The competitive allowance field should produce honest pace throughout with multiple speed horses engaging early.
Key Angles: Weight differences become magnified at the 6-furlong distance on synthetic surface.
Wagering Angles: Target horses with proven synthetic form and tactical early speed.
Race 6 – $8,500 Claiming (1 Mile)
Key Contenders: Love to Zoom brings distance experience with trainer Sara Stanoszek. Busker Allie shows tactical speed under trainer Jami Poole with Joe Stokes. Halo City could benefit from class relief.
Secondary Choices: Forglo gets weight relief and could improve at the longer distance. Carlotuk represents the Ramgeet trainer-jockey combination.
Longshot Consideration: I Matter brings experience and could surprise at generous odds with the right trip.
Pace Analysis: The mile distance allows for complete pace development with multiple pace scenarios possible.
Key Angles: Distance specialists gain advantage in this restricted claiming event for horses without recent wins.
Wagering Angles: Focus on proven routers with synthetic surface experience.
Race 7 – $17,000 Starter Allowance (5.5 Furlongs)
Key Contenders: Little Bit of That brings class advantage with trainer Kent Knudsen. Flat Out Diamonds shows improving form with trainer Denis Cluley and Kevin Gonzalez. Photo Finish could rebound with trainer Jay Bernardini.
Secondary Choices: Larimar brings experience and distance preference with DeShaun Parker. Waterworks shows tactical speed from trainer Eddie Clouston.
Longshot Consideration: A Little Canela could surprise at longer odds with trainer Jay Bernardini’s late-meet form.
Pace Analysis: Starter allowance conditions create competitive fields with multiple legitimate contenders.
Key Angles: The Gonzalez and Parker mounts command respect given their current form.
Wagering Angles: Target proven synthetic performers in starter allowance company.
Race 8 – $8,000 Maiden Claiming (5.5 Furlongs)
Key Contenders: Don’t B Critical brings experience from trainer Harry Pease. Continue shows promise with trainer Christopher Logston. Riley’s Got Trix could improve second time out.
Secondary Choices: Lil Sweezey gets DeShaun Parker, whose mount selection suggests confidence. Bellafleet could benefit from synthetic surface debut.
Longshot Consideration: Echo Vision brings youth and potential with trainer William McDonald at attractive odds.
Pace Analysis: Maiden claiming events often feature chaotic early pace with multiple first-time starters.
Key Angles: Experience proves crucial in maiden claiming company with younger horses facing seasoned rivals.
Wagering Angles: Target horses with multiple starts and proven synthetic surface adaptation.
Jockey Notes and Insights
DeShaun Parker leads all Mountaineer jockeys with over 6,000 career wins and maintains exceptional current form. His mount selections in races 2, 7, and 8 deserve serious consideration. Kevin Gonzalez shows strong recent form and pairs effectively with leading trainers. Ricardo Barrios brings veteran experience and performs well in claiming company. Luis Negron shows improving form and excels with class droppers.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Jose Luna Silva leads the current Mountaineer trainer standings with 356 starts, 83 wins, and a 23% strike rate. Eddie Clouston brings four championship titles and over 2,000 career wins to his entries. Shane Spiess shows solid form with multiple entries across the card. Jay Bernardini targets specific spots and shows improving late-meet statistics.
Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
Best Single: Ruby Bay (Race 2) with DeShaun Parker represents the strongest single betting opportunity given Parker’s exceptional track record and current form.
Daily Double: Race 1-2 combining Miss Nuckols with Ruby Bay provides solid value given their respective class advantages.
Pick 3: Races 2-3-4 keying Ruby Bay over Dream Force and Regal Temple to Midnight Stroller and Fort Pitt offers excellent coverage.
Exacta Value: Race 5 exacta wheel of Huggin and Lovin over the field provides value given the competitive allowance nature.
Late Pick 4: Races 5-6-7-8 using multiple horses in the competitive allowance (Race 5) and focusing on proven performers in the closing races.
