Mahoning Valley is one of a handful tracks nation wide that run early in the week during the winter months. The Ohio track can be a great way to build bankroll heading into the bigger cards over the weekend if you know how to play it.
General Tips for Mahoning Valley
Connections Matter
When playing Mahoning Valley it is important to know the connections and who performs best at the track. As of December 12, 2021 the top jockeys include Sonny Leon, Luis Rivera, Angel Diaz, Luis Batista, Erik Barbaran, Hector Berrios, and Jose Bracho. Top trainers include Jeff Radosevich, Robert Gorham, Johanna Urieta, Jeff Skerret, and Robert Cline. Full standings can be found on Equibase’s website.
Pay close attention to win percentages when the jockey and trainer work together. This can be found in Brisnet past performances and can be a great hint as to whether or not a horse is ready to perform. Brisnet Past Performances are free of charge on Twinspires if you bet the cost of the product.
Speed is Good…Usually
Mahoning Valley is typically a speed favoring track. However, the rail can at times get extremely deep. This is especially true if the track is drying out after taking moisture. When this happens it often becomes advantageous to close and swing your horse into the middle of the track for the stretch drive.
Betting Strategy
Because many of the fields at Mahoning Valley are shorter (6 or 7 horses) there is usually not much value in the vertical exotics. Unless you like a price and can toss a favorite it is usually wise to stay away from these pools.
Horizontally speaking is a different story. Mahoning Valley produces large upsets almost daily given the low level of most of their horses. This means more inconsistent performances and a better chance at chaos.
Daily Doubles
One of the unique things about Mahoning Valley is that they have not reduced daily doubles to the $1 minimum seen at most tracks. Instead they have left it as a $2 minimum bet. This means that players cannot spread over as many combinations and there can be great value in the double if you’re right.
Monday Analysis
Mahoning Valley Race 1
Post: 12:45 PM ET; Purse: $9,500 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile 70 Yards on Dirt; Entries: 6
#5 BAY DEFENSE (2-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's advantages in class & race flow. #2 AWESOME BREAK (8-5) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group. #4 SALT MINE TEDDY (5-2) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. #1 MUTADARRIB (12-1) should be competitive today based speed figures. The price is right on this one.
Selections: 5-2-4-1
Mahoning Valley Race 2
Post: 1:12 PM ET; Purse: $9,900 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6
#2 SARATOGA STYLE (7-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers. #4 ORBITING THE SKY (1-1) is worth a look here given the connections & edge in power rating. #6 BEST OF YOU (15-1) will likely have the stamina if the others are running on empty late. #5 WOLF EYES (6-1) is a worthy contender if the price stays around 6-1.
Selections: 2-4-6-5
Mahoning Valley Race 3
Post: 1:40 PM ET; Purse: $10,300 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6
#1 LOOKS GOOD N A TUX (2-1) looks a lid favorite here based on form & power rating. #2 IRISH PROUD (7-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & record at the distance. #5 WARRIOR'S DREAM (5-2) could get a perfect pace scenario today. #3 PORT HUNTER (5-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
Selections: 1-2-5-3
Mahoning Valley Race 4
Post: 2:08 PM ET; Purse: $9,500 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6
#2 EL VALOR (7-5) will be tough to beat here based on speed figures & power rating. #6 MISS DOGWOOD (4-5) could get a perfect pace scenario today. #5 PRECISION PRADO (10-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done. The question will be if she’s good enough to outrun the #6. #1 ESTILO DE MUJER (12-1) has to be respected based on the connections.
Selections: 2-6-5-1
Mahoning Valley Race 5
Post: 2:36 PM ET; Purse: $31,300 Allowance, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 8
#7 ABIGAIL LEE (4-1) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class. #3 SURE FIRE READY (3-1) is another who would be no surprise in the winner’s circle. #6 ZENMODE (6-1) and #8 BEEBLEGEE (5-1) are both in with a shot at mid range prices.
Selections: 7-3-6-8
Mahoning Valley Race 6
Post: 3:04 PM ET; Purse: $11,100 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6
#5 CHARGE IT ALL (8-5) looks tough to have a significant edge here in a number of key categories including speed & pace numbers. #4 VISITING ANGEL (10-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions. #6 INDY PRINCESS KOKO (7-2) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race. #1 NATALIA'S TEMPLE (5-2) wouldn’t be a shocking winner, but the price is a bit short for my liking.
Selections: 5-4-6-1
Mahoning Valley Race 7
Post: 3:33 PM ET; Purse: $14,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7
#5 MAKES GOOD SENSE (8-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. #4 LOVELY HEIR (5-2) has the best in the money percentage under today's distance and surface conditions. #2 RUSHED (5-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's advantages in stamina & race flow. #1 FAHRENHEIT (10-1) is a longshot that could offer some value
Selections: 5-4-2-1 (Best Bet: #5)
Mahoning Valley Race 8
Post: 4:02 PM ET; Purse: $13,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9
#4 CAPTURED BY FATE (9-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. #8 REINSURE (5-1) should be competitive here and will offer value at the current price. #1 LONGLIVEJUSTICE (5-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's advantages in class & pace numbers. #2 LONESOME PHIL (20-1) could make the verticals worth playing in this spot.
Selections: 4-8-1-2
