Scheduled Post Time (Race 1): 12:15 PM ET
Venue: Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, 655 N Canfield Niles Rd, Youngstown, Ohio (one-mile dirt oval)
Distance: 6 furlongs
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $50,000 (guaranteed; for 3-year-olds that graduated from the 2025 OTBO Sale; weights: 118 lbs colts/geldings, 113 lbs fillies, with allowances)
Track Conditions (projected): Fast dirt. Mahoning Valley’s winter dirt track has been consistently fast this meet and drains well. Any light precipitation will likely result in a “good” or sealed surface with a slight inside bias common in 6f sprints here.
Expected Weather Conditions: Chilly early March weather with highs around 30–39°F (near freezing) by post time, lows in the upper teens to mid-20s°F overnight. 25–40% chance of light snow showers or flurries in the morning/early afternoon, with light winds (5–10 mph). Typical Youngstown winter conditions — cold but racing will proceed unless heavy accumulation occurs. Track should remain playable and favor speed/inside posts in short sprints.
Full Field Analysis
PP 1 – O G Mr. Brightside (3/G, Yoshida (JPN) – Mark of a Post)
Jockey: Luis Raul Rivera (solid local rider with good win % on front-runners at MVR)
Trainer: Shane Meyers (consistent with Ohio-bred/sale graduates; strong winter stats at Mahoning Valley)
Weight: 118 lbs
ML Odds: 10/1
Recent Finishes: 6th of 6 (beaten 12+ lengths) in 1-mile allowance at MVR (Jan. 10, 2026); prior sprint placings at Thistledown.
Analysis: Rail post is ideal for this tactical speed type. Meyers gets sale graduates ready, and the short trip suits him. Live longshot to wire or press if he breaks sharply; vulnerable late against sharper closers.
PP 2 – Loco Coco (3/F, Callide Valley – Caffeine Rush)
Jockey: Charle Oliveros (leading rider at MVR; aggressive and effective in sprints)
Trainer: Tina Casalinova (patient with young fillies; good recent form with sale graduates)
Weight: 113 lbs
ML Odds: 12/1
Recent Finishes: 4th of 10 (6f allowance at MVR, Feb. 16, 2026); multiple mid-pack efforts in recent starts (form: 8434×44).
Analysis: Consistent filly with early speed to stalk from post 2. Oliveros knows the track cold. Casalinova excels in these restricted stakes. Solid exotic filler and live at a price if the favorite falters.
PP 3 – Oak Mirna (3/F, Oak Room – River City Girl)
Jockey: Fernando Salazar Becerra (local journeyman with value on longshots)
Trainer: Jose Atala (improving barn; competitive with lightly raced stock)
Weight: 113 lbs
ML Odds: 20/1
Recent Finishes: 7th of 10 (debut, 6f at MVR, Feb. 16, 2026).
Analysis: Debut effort was green but showed some late interest. Atala gets them fitter second time out. Longshot exotic bomb only; needs a perfect trip and pace meltdown.
PP 4 – Dynamic Vision (3/F, Dynamic Racer – Fone Yourself)
Jockey: John McKee (veteran MVR specialist; high win % for Cline barn)
Trainer: Robert C. Cline (dominant with Ohio/sale graduates; multiple stakes wins this meet)
Weight: 118 lbs
ML Odds: 1/1 (heavy favorite)
Recent Finishes: 1st of 8 (wire-to-wire, 6f at Thistledown, ~21 weeks ago); strong prior placings (form: 125541x).
Analysis: The class and speed of the field. Long layoff is the only question, but Cline is a master with fresh horses at Mahoning Valley. McKee knows every inch of the track. Looks to dominate from just off the pace or on the lead. Top selection.
PP 5 – Legal Jargon (3/G, Drill – Late Lover)
Jockey: Erik Barbaran (consistent local rider; good with mid-pack types)
Trainer: Robert M. Gorham (solid with sale graduates; strong MVR stats)
Weight: 118 lbs
ML Odds: 3/1
Recent Finishes: 4th of 7 (debut, 6f at MVR, Feb. 9, 2026).
Analysis: Green but showed promise in debut for a sharp barn. Gorham improves them quickly. Barbaran fits perfectly. Strong contender to run 1-2-3; live underneath at square odds.
PP 6 – Mshawish’girl (3/F, Mshawish – Candys Girl (GB))
Jockey: Victor R. Fernandez (rising local rider; effective on closers)
Trainer: Robert C. Cline (double entry with Dynamic Vision; red-hot barn)
Weight: 116 lbs
ML Odds: 5/2
Recent Finishes: 1st of 7 (broke maiden impressively, 6f at MVR, Feb. 23, 2026); prior placings (form: 4×22621).
Analysis: Fresh off a sharp maiden score at this track/distance for the same hot trainer as the favorite. Fernandez should have her stalking and pouncing. Excellent value as a stablemate to the chalk; big threat to upset or complete the exacta.
