Race Overview
Race Name: West Virginia Governor’s Stakes
Track: Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, New Cumberland, WV
Surface: Dirt
Distance: 1 1/16 Miles
Purse: $200,000
Eligibility: Three-Year-Olds and Up
Post Time: 7:40 PM ET
Field Size: 9 starters
Wagering Options: Win/Place/Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta
This Grade-level stakes race is a key summer feature at Mountaineer, attracting top older horses with graded stakes experience and deep pedigrees. With $200,000 on the line, expect a tactical battle between speed and closers.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
1. Not This Boy (KY)
Pedigree: Not This Time × Jeana Baby (by Super Saver)
Trainer: William D. Cowans
Jockey: Luis Saez
Morning Line Odds: 3/1
Notes: Lightly raced 4YO gelding with tactical speed. Not This Time progeny excel at middle distances. Saez adds class. Dangerous if he gets loose early.
2. The Wine Steward (NY)
Pedigree: Vino Rosso × Call to Service (by To Honor and Serve)
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Notes: Stakes-placed colt with grinding style. Vino Rosso offspring tend to improve with age. Maker excels in route stakes. Value play.
3. Tatanka (KY)
Pedigree: Goldencents × Appealing Cat (by Successful Appeal)
Trainer: Nestor R. Rivera
Jockey: Alexander Chavez
Morning Line Odds: 20/1
Notes: 6YO gelding with modest form. Goldencents adds speed, but may be outclassed. Use underneath in superfectas.
4. Jokestar (ON)
Pedigree: Practical Joke × Starmaline (by Star Guitar)
Trainer: William E. Morey
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Notes: Ontario-bred gelding with improving figures. Practical Joke line adds versatility. Could hit the board with a clean trip.
5. Ode to Balius (KY)
Pedigree: American Freedom × Hail to Rocknroll (by Scat Daddy)
Trainer: Alexis Cordero-Lopez
Jockey: Luis Tapara
Morning Line Odds: 30/1
Notes: Longshot with limited stakes experience. Pedigree suggests sprint potential. Faces uphill battle at this distance.
6. Cornishman (KY)
Pedigree: Curlin × Penwith (by Bernardini)
Trainer: Dan L. McFarlane
Jockey: Glenn W. Corbett
Morning Line Odds: 4/1
Notes: Winner of the Cornhusker Handicap (G3). Curlin pedigree screams stamina. Proven at the distance. Major threat.
7. Full Spectrum (OH)
Pedigree: Cross Traffic × Street Success (by Street Cry)
Trainer: James R. Jackson
Jockey: Luis Antonio Gonzalez
Morning Line Odds: 30/1
Notes: 3YO gelding with upside but lacks experience. Pedigree leans toward sprinting. Needs a big step forward.
8. Hit Show (KY)
Pedigree: Candy Ride (ARG) × Actress (by Tapit)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Morning Line Odds: 9/5 (Favorite)
Notes: Multiple graded stakes performer. Candy Ride × Tapit is elite breeding. Cox-Geron combo is lethal. The one to beat.
9. Heroic Move (KY)
Pedigree: Quality Road × Family Tree (by Smart Strike)
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: Harry Hernandez
Morning Line Odds: 9/2
Notes: Strong closer with consistent form. Quality Road adds class. Diodoro barn is hot. Could upset with pace setup.
| Position | Horse | Reasoning |
| 1st | Hit Show | Class edge, elite pedigree, top connections |
| 2nd | Cornishman | Proven at distance, Curlin stamina |
| 3rd | Heroic Move | Late kick, strong barn |
Win Bet: Hit Show
Exacta Box: Hit Show / Cornishman / Heroic Move
Trifecta Play: Hit Show over Cornishman and Not This Boy
Longshot to Watch: The Wine Steward – improving form, value odds
