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Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Mahoning Valley – Racing News and Analysis for February 23, 2026

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The Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet is published daily and provides consolidated 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 Race Course in Youngstown, Ohio, offers a nine-race Monday card on February 23, 2026, with a first post of 12:15 PM ET. The program includes two maiden claiming races, three claiming events, one allowance optional claiming, and two allowance races, with purses ranging from 10,500 to 27,500 dollars.

Several horses appear on a scratch watch list and may not start. In Race 2, Run Pancita (Race 2, Post 1) is flagged by a veterinarian note. In Race 3, Eddie M (Race 3, Post 5) appears on a veterinarian list. In Race 4, Classic Look (Race 4, Post 1) is noted by the stewards. In Race 5, Watchoutforweaver (Race 5, Post 4) and Zakaria (Race 5, Post 6) are listed. In Race 7, Atkins (Race 7, Post 5) and Time The Avenger (Race 7, Post 4) show stewards' notes, while in Race 9, Fracture (Race 9, Post 7) is listed as also-eligible.​

A strong local colony rides today, with multiple mounts for Jose A. Bracho, Erik Barbaran, Brandon Tapara, Luis Raul Rivera, and Rocco Bowen, and a deep trainer bench including Aaron M. West, Justin and Jeffrey Radosevich, Jay P. Bernardini, Eric R. Reed, Nestor R. Rivera, and Doug F. O'Neill.

Weather and Track Conditions

Youngstown's forecast for February 23 calls for cloudy conditions, with a daytime high in the low to mid 30s Fahrenheit and lows in the upper teens to low 20s. Winds are light around 4 miles per hour, and the chance of precipitation is low to moderate, around 25 percent.

These below-normal temperatures follow a winter pattern of freeze–thaw cycles that has affected Mahoning Valley's surface throughout the meet. In early January, racing was halted after the seventh race on one card due to deteriorating track conditions linked to rapid temperature swings. Today's likely profile is a track between fast and good early, possibly firm at the base with some surface give that may loosen slightly as the afternoon progresses.​

Track Bias and Post Position Tendencies

Mahoning Valley generally plays as a speed-favoring dirt course, especially at standard sprint distances such as six furlongs. Horses on or near the lead entering the turn hold a measurable advantage in many races.

In sprints, inside to middle posts tend to be slightly preferred, allowing runners to save ground into the lone turn while keeping tactical options open. Wide-drawn speed can win but often must expend extra energy to clear, which can be costly if pace pressure develops.

Winter conditions can sometimes produce a dead rail when repeated freeze–thaw cycles compromise footing closest to the inside fence, leading to better traction three to four paths off the rail. With the current cold but relatively dry forecast, this effect may be muted but still worth monitoring during the early races.​

At one mile, where the run to the first turn is short, inside posts are particularly valuable. Horses drawn toward the rail in routes can secure position more efficiently, while wide-drawn routers often must use more energy early to avoid losing significant ground.

Race-by-Race Horse Summary

Race 1 – Maiden Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs

Key contenders are Honor And Obay (Race 1, Post 3), Bizy Dreamin (Race 1, Post 4), and Justtakethecannoli (Race 1, Post 6). Honor and Obay and Bizy Dreamin both benefit from inside–middle draws and three-year-old weight allowances, with trainer Aaron M. West sending Honor and Obay and Jose A. Bracho riding Bizy Dreamin. Justtakethecannoli, with Erik Barbaran, is widely considered a top chance despite a slightly wider draw.

Secondary interest falls to Jaganna (Race 1, Post 7), who must overcome the outside post but offers some upside at a fair price. Hero Queen (Race 1, Post 2) is the more appealing of the two Loudin-Smith entries, with Hero Panther (Race 1, Post 1) and Stoptalkingsarah (Race 1, Post 5) needing improvement.​

Race 2 – Claiming, 6 Furlongs

Magic Motown (Race 2, Post 3) is a leading player and strong morning-line favorite, representing the Justin Radosevich and Jose A. Bracho combination. Couple Beers Deep (Race 2, Post 6) is a primary rival with tactical speed for the Saul M. Morales barn.​

Ol' Nelson (Race 2, Post 5), with Rocco Bowen, is a solid secondary contender likely to sit just behind the pace, while Willie T (Race 2, Post 7) offers an alternative pace presence under Erik Barbaran. Dew It With Class (Race 2, Post 2) and Leroyisalagniappe (Race 2, Post 4) appear more like fringe players, and Run Pancita (Race 2, Post 1) is under a veterinarian watch.

Race 3 – Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 Mile

This is the highest-class race on the card. Big Lucky (Race 3, Post 4) and Ekati's Way (Race 3, Post 6) shape up as key contenders, especially if Eddie M (Race 3, Post 5) scratches. Big Lucky, for trainer Nestor R. Rivera, has a recent win at this course and distance over Silence (Race 3, Post 1), while Ekati's Way has prior strong form at Mahoning Valley and picks up Bracho.

Silence (Race 3, Post 1) enjoys the rail advantage at a mile and is a logical secondary choice, especially given prior competitiveness at this level. Sunset Town (Race 3, Post 2) has a favorable inside draw and a recent win at the track, making him a live secondary candidate. Hidden Access (Race 3, Post 3) is a deeper exotics candidate. Eddie M is on a veterinarian watch but would be a major factor if cleared to run.

Race 4 – Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile

Three Moons (Race 4, Post 3) is a central player with a meaningful class drop and the three-year-old weight break for the Aaron M. West barn. Dowhateverittakes (Race 4, Post 7), for Eric R. Reed, comes off a good runner-up finish at a similar level and offers the most consistent closing kick in the group.

Classic Look (Race 4, Post 1) would be a major inside threat with Bracho aboard if he runs, but a stewards note makes this uncertain. Life's One (Race 4, Post 2) is an inside-drawn secondary option with some prior competitiveness. Maravich (Race 4, Post 4) and Lookin Like Lucky (Race 4, Post 5) are more likely to be minor exotics contributors, and Predecessor (Race 4, Post 6) will need significant improvement.

Race 5 – Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs

In this large Ohio-bred field, Midnight Warship (Race 5, Post 3) and The Pink Z (Race 5, Post 1) stand out as primary players. Midnight Warship has a favorable tactical draw inside and consistent sprint form, while The Pink Z benefits from the rail and Rocco Bowen's ground-saving style.

Zakaria (Race 5, Post 6) is listed on a stewards watch but would be a logical secondary contender if running, with Weekend Buzz (Race 5, Post 8) a capable stalker from a wider slot. Wildcat Bill (Race 5, Post 10), trained by Jeffrey A. Radosevich, has to overcome the far outside post but comes from a strong barn. Ray's Empire (Race 5, Post 5) is a longer-priced runner who gets a positive rider in Barbaran, and Mails Here (Race 5, Post 9) plus Private Drive (Race 5, Post 2) are deeper exotics options. Watchoutforweaver (Race 5, Post 4) is on a veterinarian list.​

Race 6 – Claiming, 5 1/2 Furlongs

Tall Girl (Race 6, Post 6) is a leading contender and morning-line favorite at this $4,000 level, with back class that towers over many of these fillies and mares. Right Trappe (Race 6, Post 8) is the main rival, with Luis Raul Rivera aboard and sufficient tactical speed despite the outside draw.​

Blazing Zenna (Race 6, Post 3) is a solid secondary option from an advantageous inside–middle post, and She's So Bearrish (Race 6, Post 5) gives the Jami Poole barn a live exotics chance. Maureenlovesfrank (Race 6, Post 4) and Lucky Phoenix (Race 6, Post 2) round out the mid-priced group, while Light Hearted (Race 6, Post 1) and Full Time Strutin (Race 6, Post 7) look like longer-priced outsiders.​

Race 7 – Claiming, 6 Furlongs

High Strike (Race 7, Post 1) is a central figure from the rail for Aaron M. West and Samuel E. Bermudez, well positioned on a speed-favoring surface at six furlongs. Trigger Point (Race 7, Post 8), from the Jay P. Bernardini barn, is a key outside player with solid class for this tag.

Colonel Vargo (Race 7, Post 3) is a notable value horse, receiving top rankings from multiple handicapping sources and offering a combination of mid-pack price and competitive back class. John's Rock (Race 7, Post 2) is a seasoned veteran who benefits from an inside draw under Erik Barbaran. Star Entertainer (Race 7, Post 6) and Zaddy (Race 7, Post 7) appear more fringe. Time The Avenger (Race 7, Post 4) and Atkins (Race 7, Post 5) are on the scratch watch and may not run.

Race 8 – Allowance, 6 Furlongs

Queen In The Deck (Race 8, Post 3), trained by Justin Radosevich and ridden by Bracho, is a primary contender in this allowance for fillies and mares, with a strong trainer–jockey combination and favorable mid-gate draw. No No No Never (Race 8, Post 2), trained by Eric R. Reed, is a key inside rival, bringing a high-quality operation and a good starting position.​

J Rivers (Race 8, Post 4) is a major secondary threat for Jeffrey A. Radosevich and Luis Raul Rivera, and Khali J (Race 8, Post 5) offers another strong option under Erik Barbaran. Canadian Bear (Race 8, Post 1) and As Lucky (Race 8, Post 6), both connected to top barns, are capable of sneaking into the frame. Star Ella (Race 8, Post 7) and Miss Serafina (Race 8, Post 8) are longer shots but come from the Bernardini and Rivera stables, which always merit a second look.

Race 9 – Allowance, 6 Furlongs

Just Deal (Race 9, Post 5) and Fielding (Race 9, Post 3) headline the finale. Just Deal, trained by Doug F. O'Neill and ridden by Bracho, owns a strong recent figure and class drop that make him a central winning chance. Fielding, for Jeffrey A. Radosevich and Luis Raul Rivera, carries an even slightly higher recent rating and owns a favorable inside–middle draw, giving him a genuine claim as co-top horse.

A Ok (Race 9, Post 6) is a key secondary contender for Jay P. Bernardini, coming off a recent maiden win at Mahoning and getting a three-year-old weight break. Fracture (Race 9, Post 7), currently also-eligible, has strong recent local form and becomes a serious factor if he draws in; he has attracted attention as a spot-play candidate from some handicappers. Abundant Energy (Race 9, Post 4) is another Bernardini runner with a three-year-old weight allowance and a live rider in Barbaran, giving him longshot appeal. Gunner (Race 9, Post 1), All About Croge (Race 9, Post 2), and Nastinate (Race 9, Post 8) appear more in the longshot range but could fill out exotics with the right pace scenario.

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