Mahoning Valley Race Course
Youngstown, Ohio (655 N Canfield-Niles Rd, Youngstown, OH 44515) Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026
Race: 7 – Howard B. Noonan Stakes (Stakes)
Scheduled Post Time: 3:03 PM ET (approximate; first post 12:15 PM ET)
Distance/Surface: 6 furlongs, Dirt
Purse: $75,000 (includes $26,250 from Ohio Thoroughbred Fund)
Eligibility: For accredited Ohio-registered 3-year-olds. Weight: 122 lbs (non-winners of a stakes –2 lbs; non-winners of two races –4 lbs; maidens –6 lbs).
Expected Weather Conditions: Overcast with isolated thunderstorms possible. Game-time temperatures in the mid-50s to low-60s°F (13–17°C), with highs potentially reaching the upper 60s°F. Winds light from the north/northwest 5–10 mph. Chance of rain 40–60%, which could leave the dirt track sloppy or sealed if showers hit before or during the card. Fans should prepare for cool, damp conditions—layer up and monitor live track updates.
Track Conditions: Dirt (previously reported sloppy from overnight/prior rain; expect off track if precipitation materializes). Mahoning Valley’s one-turn sprints favor speed and inside posts on a fast or sealed surface, but rain could flip the bias toward stalkers/closers with stamina. This $75,000 stakes for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds is a key early-season test at the 6-furlong distance. A field of 10 heads to the gate, headlined by a trio of sharp recent performers. Mark My Words brings the strongest recent Beyer and recency edge, while Sun of War and Water Into Wine offer proven speed and consistency. The race shapes up as a competitive sprint with several live longshots from hot barns.
Full Field with Post Positions, Morning Line Odds, Jockeys, Trainers & Analysis
Post 1 – Leavetheninetynine (gelding by Keen Ice out of Lena Love)
ML Odds: 20/1 • Jockey: Jose A. Bracho • Trainer: Jeffrey A. Radosevich • Weight: 118 lbs
Recent finishes include a win at 6f here last December (by 5 lengths). Has shown flashes but inconsistent at stakes level. Radosevich is a local stalwart, but this one likely needs a career-best effort from the rail. Speed figure upside limited; needs pace to collapse.
Post 2 – Water Into Wine (gelding by Always Dreaming out of Intercoastal)
ML Odds: 7/2 • Jockey: Rocco Bowen • Trainer: Timothy E. Hamm • Weight: 118 lbs
Placed in tougher company last year (including Best of Ohio Juvenile) and has won/placed in most starts. First-up after a layoff but Hamm barn is sharp. Solid closer with tactical speed; strong candidate to hit the board at a square price. Form: multiple top-3 finishes in statebred stakes.
Post 3 – Sun of War (colt by Basin out of Rush to War)
ML Odds: 5/2 • Jockey: Luis Raul Rivera • Trainer: Nestor R. Rivera • Weight: 120 lbs
Unbeaten in two starts with an impressive recent 6f/5f win here (by 7 lengths last month). Trainer/jockey combo is in excellent form (Rivera barn winning at ~25–28% clip recently). Speedy front-runner who could wire the field if he gets an easy lead. Top contender on pedigree and current form.
Post 4 – Ripman (gelding by Zipman out of Riproaring)
ML Odds: 20/1 • Jockey: Brandon Tapara • Trainer: Richard Zielinski • Weight: 118 lbs
One win from limited starts; recent 4th at 6f here (beaten ~7 lengths). Zielinski is one of the hottest trainers in the state (16 wins last 21 days). Inconsistent but has upside in a field with several question marks. Could improve with a clean trip.
Post 5 – Global Event (gelding by Global Campaign out of Blazing Bling)
ML Odds: 10/1 • Jockey: Laureano Sosa • Trainer: Timothy E. Hamm • Weight: 118 lbs
Third in the Best of Ohio Juvenile last year; mixed recent form but Hamm stablemate to Water Into Wine. Has early speed and could factor if the top choices overpace. Respectable but needs a step forward for stakes win.
Post 6 – Unbridled O’Brien (gelding by Beau Liam out of Ultimate Holiday)
ML Odds: 20/1 • Jockey: Fernando Salazar Becerra • Trainer: Ivan Calderon • Weight: 118 lbs
Multiple starts with one win at 5f; recent poor effort (last of 9 at 6f in February). Longshot with limited stakes experience. Likely needs pace meltdown to contend.
Post 7 – Mark My Words (gelding by Thousand Words out of Helluva Notion)
ML Odds: 2/1 • Jockey: Erik Barbaran • Trainer: Robert M. Gorham • Weight: 120 lbs
Top selection. Romped by 10 3/4 lengths in a March 10 allowance sprint here (Beyer 76, best or near-best in field). Won 3 of 6 lifetime starts, including a prior victory over Water Into Wine. Gorham barn in good form; recency and class edge make him the one to beat. Strong inside speed from post 7.
Post 8 – Workstation (gelding by Cloud Computing out of Jumpin Jett)
ML Odds: 15/1 • Jockey: Luis Alberto Batista • Trainer: Jason DaCosta • Weight: 118 lbs
Third in recent 5f sprint here (beaten ~11 lengths by Sun of War). DaCosta has a couple of live runners today. Tactical but may struggle against the top speed.
Post 9 – Rico Suave (gelding by Cupid out of Dark Darling)
ML Odds: 20/1 • Jockey: Victor R. Fernandez • Trainer: Richard Zielinski • Weight: 120 lbs
Track specialist (two wins at 6f here); recent 4th in 5f sprint (beaten 12 lengths by Sun of War). Zielinski hot barn again. Could be a sneaky exotics play if he returns to best.
Post 10 – Miss Elecktra (filly by Jimmy Creed out of Force of Passion)
ML Odds: 8/1 • Jockey: Alexander Chavez • Trainer: Jason DaCosta • Weight: 115 lbs (filly allowance)
Consistent (1 win, multiple placings); recent 2nd at 6f here (beaten ¾ length). DaCosta knows the track well. The only filly and gets weight relief—live longshot who could close into a slow pace.
