It’s Thanksgiving Week and like many Americans, we are going to be traveling to some far and away places this week. Many of the tracks that run during the week have targeted this week to hold some of their signature races.
Today, it is Mahoning Valley’s day to be in the spotlight. They are a fairly new racetrack in Youngstown, Ohio, not far from the Pennsylvania border.
Today we will look at two races from Mahoning Valley. First, we will look at the Cheryl S. White Memorial in race 9. Then we will look at their signature race, the Steel Valley Sprint. Both races are six furlongs on the dirt.
Mahoning Valley Race 9 – Cheryl S. White Memorial
As they say, ladies first and that is the race with the races scheduled today. This is the filly’s edition of the Steel Valley Sprint today here at Mahoning Valley in the Cheryl S. White Memorial.
The morning line favorite in this race is the 10 Fibber (7/2 ML). She draws the outside post here today. She went for the front each of her last three races including her latest at Keeneland last month in the Raven Run. She won from off the pace three races back at Ellis Park, which would probably the best way to win. There is a ton of speed signed up for this race today.
The 2 Youalmostheadme (5/1 ML) finished fourth but only by a length last time at Churchill Downs. She has won stalking and if she doesn’t go for the lead here, she can be the first one to take over in the stretch today.
The 9 Irish Maxima (4/1 ML) outclassed an optional claiming field at Parx last month. She comes into this race 3 for 3 in 2024, including an off the pace win in the Weather Vane at Laurel. She might night to run like she did at Laurel, though that reason for her slow start was because she was bumped at the start.
The 1 Mink’s Palace (10/1 ML) had a bit of a clunker in the Raven Run at Keeneland but still finished a respectable fifth there. She is the closer in today’s race and if things get hot and heavy on the front end, she is the candidate to pick up all the pieces late.
Joe’s Pick
This race is screaming meltdown scenario up front here. Mink’s Palace is the only closer in this race and has won consistently with that way of running. I will take her to win the Cheryl S. White Memorial. I’ll call this 1-10-2-9 in the ninth at Mahoning Valley with a $20 win wager on the 1.
Mahoning Valley Race 10 – Steel Valley Sprint
Then we have the main event at Mahoning Valley, the Steel Valley Sprint. We have 11 entered, but as of writing this article, we have three scratches. The 2 Save the Trees, the 6 Practically Dark were longshot that were scratched. The favorite #11 Book’em Danno has been scratched as well, as they will run in a couple of weeks at the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.
Assuming the favorite’s role is the 7 World Record (7/2 ML). He is a Grade 2 winner running a monster race in the Amsterdam at Saratoga. After bouncing in the Allen Jerkens later in August at Saratoga, he won an optional claimer at Keeneland to get back on track. He can run from off the pace if he needs to do so.
The 8 Epic Ride (4/1 ML) returned to the races after being on the Kentucky Derby trail last month at Keeneland. He tired in the Perryville Stakes and definitely needed that race. He shortens up here to today’s distance looking to his first race since February.
The 1 Maximus Meridus (15/1 ML) held his own in the Gallant Bob two races back at Parx despite being boxed in on the turn. He came back to win an optional claimer at Parx last month in preparation for today’s race. He draws the rail here today, so he might be forced to go for the lead.
The 9 Valentine Candy (8/1 ML) won last time out at Churchill while not far off the lead early on in that race. He has won off the pace as well, having won most recently at Charles Town in Charles Town in August. He appears to be the most consistent closer of this bunch today.
Joe’s Pick
Valentine Candy is the sprint professional of this race while Epic Ride may be a future sprinter. Epic Ride’s race looks more impressive having been his first race back since the Kentucky Derby. I’ll take Epic Ride here today who could be favored in this race today.
I’ll call this race 8-9-1-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 8. I’ll also throw in a daily double starting on race 9 with the 1 Mink’s Palace with the 8 in this race Epic Ride. That 1/8 double will also be for $20. Best of luck everyone and I’ll see ya in the winner’s circle!
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