Mountaineer Horse Racing Picks: August 18th 2009

Race-day: 6/2/2009 | Race-time: 7:50 pm est.
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Mountaineer isn’t known for its turf sprinting. The West Virginia track has never provided the quality type of racing familiar to New York and Southern California horseplayers. But on Tuesday night, the 3rd at Mountaineer is just that, a turf sprint for a purse of $17,300. BetUS Racebook fans will be happy to note that there are definitely overlay opportunities in the 7 furlong grass race.

Mountaineer – Race 3
Claiming $30,000 n4L
For Three Year Olds and Upward Which Have Never Won Four Races
7 furlongs on turf

Gateway Moon – - 8/1 morning line
There’s a lot going for Gateway Moon in this race. Okay, other than the fact that he has never run on turf before, there’s a lot going for him. For starters, he has the best speed ratings out of all of the contenders. Then there’s the fact that he’s dropping out of a $28,600 allowance race into this claimer. Finally, he’ll be stretching out after a 6 furlong dirt race on May 12th. The fact that he has never run on grass? It doesn’t bother me in the least as his sire is Distant View who has sired some pretty good turfers out in SoCal. He’s got a big shot.

Nita Ridge – - 7/2 morning line
This 5 year old gelding should be able to lie right behind the speed of Gateway Moon and Point of Reason before trying to take over at the top of the stretch. He was the consummate professional in his last race, but both Gateway Moon and Point of Reason will provide stiffer competition. He has a shot but dropping from that 1 1/16th mile victory over the lawn to this 7 furlong race might hurt his chances to win.

Point of Reason – - 5/2 morning line
He has every right to finally break through with a victory after two second place finishes over the Indiana Downs’ turf course in his last two races. The former $825,000 buy goes for trainer Tim Schuh who is soft-balling his way to big time success at Mountaineer with 2 wins and 2 seconds out of 5 starters. Point of Reason could win this race but the speed rating in his last was a top. Does he bounce in this?

Wagering Strategy
Gateway Moon is a good bet to win, place and show at odds of 6 to 1 or higher. I will also put Gateway Moon into an exacta and trifecta box with Point of Reason and Nita Ridge.