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Mahoning Valley Race Course presents an eight-race card on Sunday, February 1, 2026, featuring competitive claiming races, Ohio-bred maiden special weights, and a quality allowance contest. The track operates as a one-mile oval with pronounced structural advantages for inside posts and tactical speed, characteristics amplified by winter racing conditions. The card offers purses ranging from $12,200 to $31,900, attracting the circuit’s leading connections and competitive Ohio-bred competition.
The claiming ranks dominate with four races at various levels, providing handicapping opportunities rooted in class evaluation and recent form cycles. Two maiden special weight races restricted to Ohio-breds showcase developing talent, while the third race allowance at one mile represents the day’s highest-class contest. A starter allowance sprint at 5.5 furlongs in race seven adds tactical complexity given the distance and pace dynamics.
Recent weather disruptions across the Midwest resulted in cancellations at multiple regional tracks, but Mahoning Valley maintained operations despite challenging conditions. The stable returns to regular winter racing following a brief schedule adjustment in late January. Post scratches remain fluid due to veterinary and steward decisions, with Jenny’s Beignet, Powerful Moon, Gamboling Ghost, and several others withdrawn from their respective contests.
WEATHER AND TRACK CONDITIONS
Sunday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny conditions with a high near 18 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by wind chill values as low as minus-12 degrees. Northwest winds at 6-9 mph will create additional cooling effects throughout the racing program. The frigid temperatures continue a pattern of extreme winter weather that affected regional racing operations throughout late January.
The track surface is expected to be fast and sealed, conditions that historically amplify Mahoning Valley’s existing speed bias. Cold temperatures create a firm, potentially faster surface compared to more moderate weather conditions. Track maintenance crews work diligently during winter months to maintain consistent racing surfaces despite temperature extremes.
The sealed winter dirt presents a consistent, predictable surface favoring horses with tactical speed who can secure forward positions economically. Deep closers requiring significant pace meltdown face structural disadvantages on this configuration. The 1,000-foot stretch run provides limited recovery distance for horses racing from far back, making early positioning paramount. Weather-related scratches remain possible given the extreme cold, though connections familiar with Mahoning Valley understand the conditions and prepare horses accordingly.
TRACK BIAS AND POST POSITION ANALYSIS
Mahoning Valley exhibits one of North America’s most pronounced inside post biases, particularly at sprint distances. The one-mile oval features 80-foot-wide turns banked at six percent, with stretches banked at three percent and a relatively short 1,000-foot stretch run. This configuration creates structural advantages for horses breaking from inside posts and racing with early tactical speed.
Statistical analysis confirms that at six furlongs, wire-to-wire winners occur at elevated rates, with horses showing early-speed or pace-pressing running styles holding clear advantages. Horses breaking from posts one through four demonstrate measurably superior performance metrics compared to those assigned outside posts. The inside bias remains relevant but moderates at route distances of one mile and beyond.
Post Position Statistics – 2025 Racing Season:
| Post Position | Win Rate | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Post 1 | 18.4% | Strong advantage |
| Post 2 | 15.0% | Above average |
| Post 3 | 9.4% | Below average |
| Post 4 | 16.5% | Above average |
| Post 5 | 18.0% | Strong advantage |
| Posts 6-10 | Declining | Structural disadvantage |
The sealed winter surface amplifies this speed bias considerably. Cold temperatures create an even faster surface, making tactical speed paramount. For sprint races at 5.5 and six furlongs, posts one through four hold substantial advantages. In route races at one mile, the bias moderates though tactical speed remains paramount.
RACE 1: CLAIMING – 5.5 FURLONGS (12:15 PM)
Key Contenders: Boss Holiday (4), Jedis Way (5), Commander Joe (1), Grey Streak (8)
Secondary Choices: Hagler (3), Gilligan (2), Versatile (6)
Pace Analysis: Multiple early-speed types will contest the pace from the break. Boss Holiday, Commander Joe, and Versatile demonstrate tactical ability. The abbreviated distance amplifies premium on gate speed and early positioning.
RACE 2: CLAIMING – 6 FURLONGS, FILLIES AND MARES (12:43 PM)
Key Contenders: Divine Cross (8), Think It Thru (4), Maliced (6), Remember Me (1)
Secondary Choices: Mali Bali (2), Living in Style (3), Grace and Glory (5)
Pace Analysis: Divine Cross and Think It Thru possess tactical speed for early pace. Six-furlong distance allows pace evaluation through first quarter. Expect honest opening fractions without excessive pressure.
RACE 3: ALLOWANCE – 1 MILE (1:11 PM)
Key Contenders: Takeitandrun (1), Eddie M (3), Extradition (2), Couth (4)
Secondary Choices: Atkins (5), Lucky Jeremy (6)
Pace Analysis: Three horses with tactical speed will contest early positioning. One-mile distance provides ample opportunity for pace development. Honest opening fractions expected with reasonable pace pressure.
RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT – 6 FURLONGS, OH-bred F&M (1:39 PM)
Key Contenders: Playkoz (8), Rivers Run Red (4), Pirinola (7), Play Ball Susie (6)
Secondary Choices: Shestheperfectsong (5), Raven’s Honor (2), Chardu (10)
Pace Analysis: Ten-horse maiden field creates tactical complexity. Six-furlong distance favors horses with tactical speed from inside posts. Expect honest to slightly ambitious opening fractions.
RACE 5: CLAIMING – 6 FURLONGS, OH-bred (2:07 PM)
Key Contenders: Eagle Nest (3), Prosecutor (4), Mr Loooch (2), Need to Know Basis (10)
Secondary Choices: Color Bearer (5), Kinderhook (6), Oklahoma Joe (9)
Pace Analysis: Eagle Nest and Prosecutor possess tactical speed for forward positioning. Multiple scratches simplify field. Six-furlong distance favors inside-drawn horses. Honest to moderately quick opening fractions expected.
RACE 6: CLAIMING – 1 MILE (2:35 PM)
Key Contenders: Electioneering (5), Valid Connection (1), Action Man (7), Last U Turn (2)
Secondary Choices: Breeze the Bayou (3), Soupersilverdollar (4), Tie Breaker Lennie (6)
Pace Analysis: Valid Connection and Electioneering possess sufficient tactical speed for forward positioning. One-mile distance moderates inside post bias. Honest opening fractions without excessive pace pressure expected.
RACE 7: STARTER ALLOWANCE – 5.5 FURLONGS (3:03 PM)
Key Contenders: Illini (2), Tonight (7), Absolute Grit (9), Ismybusiness (1)
Secondary Choices: More Than Five (4), Zappinit (3), Cool Couple (8)
Pace Analysis: Multiple speed types from varying posts will contest opening fractions. Abbreviated distance amplifies premium on gate speed. Honest to moderately quick pace expected with competitive pressure.
RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT – 5.5 FURLONGS, OH-bred 3YO (3:31 PM)
Key Contenders: Counting On Clyde (1), Unbridled O’Brien (7), Last Crafty (9), Spark One Up (10)
Secondary Choices: Rollin for Real (3), Run Bobby Run (11), Doin Mischief (2)
Pace Analysis: Eleven-horse maiden field creates maximum tactical complexity. Abbreviated distance amplifies premium on clean breaks and early positioning. Pronounced inside post bias creates substantial advantages for inside-drawn horses.
KEY TRAINER AND JOCKEY CONNECTIONS
Leading Trainers: Jay P. Bernardini (25 wins at 2023 spring meet, leading connections on multiple entries), Jason DaCosta (21.5 percent win rate from 545 Mahoning Valley starts), Shane Meyers (proven success with Ohio-bred fillies and mares), Caryn Vecchio (effectiveness with route horses and allowance competition)
Leading Jockeys: Luis Alberto Batista (leading rider at Mahoning Valley 2023 spring meet with 60 winners), Rocco Bowen (18.01 percent strike rate from 261 Mahoning Valley starts), Alexander Chavez (20 percent career win rate from 2,239 starts across multiple tracks), Fernando Salazar Becerra (versatility across race types and class levels)
SCRATCHES
Jenny’s Beignet (Race 1) – Veterinarian
Powerful Moon (Race 1) – Stewards
Gamboling Ghost (Race 3) – Stewards
Playkoz (Race 4) – Veterinarian (prior to race)
Gone in a Flash (Race 5) – Veterinarian
Ironclad Alibi (Race 5) – Veterinarian
Midnight Warship (Race 5) – Veterinarian
Ismybusiness (Race 7) – Veterinarian
