$15,000 Claim Timeless Bounty Springs 50-1 Upset In $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint

On a brisk afternoon in Austintown, Ohio it was Timeless Bounty and rider Malcolm Franklin at 50-1 who found themselves across the wire first in the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint at Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course. The day's races also marked a new wagering record for the Steel Valley Sprint race card and the race itself as handicappers wagered $1,745,129 and $343,665 respectively.

Claimed for $15,000 on Oct. 6 of this year, Timeless Bounty has proven himself a smart claim delivering both his owner, Willow's Green Stables, LLC, and trainer, David Wilson, Jr., their first stake victory. A son of Elusive Hour and the first foal out of the Even the Score mare, Nava, Timeless Bounty was bred in Michigan by Elkhorn Oaks, Inc. who was on hand to witness the victory as the owner and trainer of fifth place finisher Channel Fury.

Out of the gates it was Beren and Jaxon Traveler who showed the best speed with Beren quickly pulling ahead to a one length advantage through a first quarter in :22.27. As the field reached the three-eighths pole Jaxon Traveler began to rally, pulling even with Beren as they clocked a half in :45.15. The pair battled gamely for close to an eighth of a mile before Beren finally broke free, racing through five-eighths in :57.69. Beren appeared to be clear of rivals however Timeless Bounty, who had begun his move midway through the turn from near the back of the pack, was flying down the center of the track. Timeless Bounty ran down the leader to claim victory by three quarters of a length and stop the clock in 1:11.01.

Beren finished second with Mister Luigi and Jaxon Traveler a little over two lengths back in third and fourth, respectively. Following a steward's inquiry, Mister Luigi would be disqualified and placed seventh behind Baby Yoda for interference mid-stretch. The official order of finish was Timeless Bounty, Beren, Jaxon Traveler, Ahimelech, Channel Fury, Baby Yoda, A Few too Many, Real Talk, Insofar, Kiltoom, and Newbomb.

Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course races Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with a first race post time of 12:45pm and Saturday with a first race post time of 12:15pm. The fall race meet runs October 22 – December 30, 2021 with three unique cards on Friday, October 22, Friday, November 26, and Thursday, December 30 all with a first race post time of 12:45pm. The 2022 Winter/Spring race meet dates run January 1, 2022 – April 16, 2022 following the same Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday format.

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Jaxon Traveler Takes On Baby Yoda In Monday’s $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint

West Point Thoroughbreds and Marvin Delfiner owned Jaxon Traveler will be making the journey to Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course this Monday, Nov. 22 to contest the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint. The Steve Asmussen trainee is a three time stakes winner and earlier this year found himself on the board in two graded stakes efforts.

His first graded effort came in the Chick Lang (G3) at Pimlico where he finished second, one and a quarter lengths behind Mighty Mischief. Two starts later, he returned to graded company over the turf course at Saratoga in the Quick Call (G3) finishing third behind eventual Breeders Cup Turf Sprint (G1) victor Golden Pal.

Next out, Jaxon Traveler would cruise to an easy victory in the restricted Star De Naskra before returning to the turf in his most recent effort where he came up three quarters of a length short in the Allied Forces at Belmont.

“We have tried him a few times on the turf and he is certainly a bit more of a dirt horse but still runs well,” comments Toby Sheets, Assistant Trainer to Steve Asmussen. “He has been a very consistent horse for us and has been training good leading into this race.”

Never off the board in ten lifetime starts, the colt will have the services of Gerardo Corrales in the irons for the first time.

Boasting the highest Beyer number of not only this field but tied for the top spot in the United States in 2021 is Bill Mott-trained Baby Yoda who earned a 114 for his effort at Saratoga on Sept. 4.

If his name wasn't enough to catch the public eye, his back to back dominant performances this summer at Saratoga certainly were and led him to his first start in stakes company, the Vosburgh (G2) at Belmont, where he finished third to his older counterparts, grade one placed Following Sea and grade one winner Firenze Fire.

“Baby Yoda is a nice horse, a lot of fun to be around, and we have been slowly working him up the ladder,” states Mott. “He caught a tough field last out in the Vosburgh and after the race, we made the decision to point him towards the Steel Valley Sprint. It's a good purse and we will be in our own age group.” Owned by Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable LLC, and Jerold L. Zaro, Baby Yoda will be entering this race looking for the first stakes win of his young career and will be reunited with jockey Jose Ortiz who rode him to both his victories at Saratoga.

Trainer Carlos David is entering the Steel Valley Sprint with stakes winner and grade two placed Real Talk, owned by Bell Racing LLC. Real Talk broke through with his first stake score on August 15 at Monmouth in the Jersey Shore setting the pace and pulling away to win by four and a half lengths.

After that performance it was on to graded company in the Gallant Bob (G2) where he finished third behind multiple grade one winner Jackie's Warrior and grade three winner Pickin' Time. Real Talk will have the return services of Paco Lopez.

Entering fresh off a win last out is Robert Reid, Jr. trained Beren who scored in statebred company at Penn National Race Course. Owned by St. Omer's Farm and Christopher J. Feifarek, Beren also boasts multiple stakes winning efforts against open company at Belmont Park and Parx and has the highest earnings in the field at $436,970. Regular rider Frankie Pennington will be aboard.

Rounding out the field is Kelly Breen trained Newbomb who ran a big race last out in allowance company at Belmont, Mister Luigi, Channel Fury, A Few Too Many, Timeless Bounty, Insofar, Kiltoom, and Ahimelech.

Scheduled to run just before the Steel Valley Sprint is the $75,000 Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Distaff headlined by Todd Beattie trained multiple grade three winner Victim of Love who will find herself facing off against twelve other rivals.

The Steel Valley Sprint is schedule to go to post at 4:07 P.M. EST and will be part of a mandatory payout of the Buckeye Jackpot Pick 6 which starts in race 4 at approx. 2:08 P.M. EST. “We are excited to offer our handicappers added wagering value on the card with this mandatory payout of our Buckeye Jackpot Pick 6,” comments Rob Swedinovich, Vice President and General Manager. The Pick 6 sequence boasts an average field size before scratches of nine horses. Handicappers should also note that the stake is included in the Pick 4 sequence featuring a low 15% takeout which begins in race 6 at approx. 3:04 P.M. EST.

$250,000 STEEL VALLEY SPRINT

November 22, 2021

Race 8 – Post Time 4:07 P.M. EST

3yr, 6 Furlongs

PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer

1. Kiltoom, T.D. Houghton, 117, Crystal Richison

2. Beren, Frankie Pennington, 124, Robert E. Reid, Jr.

3. Jaxon Traveler, Gerardo Corrales, 124, Steven M. Asmussen

4. Baby Yoda, Jose L. Ortiz, 119, William I. Mott

5. Newbomb, Jose Lezcano, 121, Kelly J. Breen

6. Mister Luigi, Edgard J. Zayas, 117, Antonio Sano

7. Real Talk, Paco Lopez, 124, Carlos A. David

8. Channel Fury, Luis Raul Rivera, 117, James R. Jackson

9. A Few Too Many, TBA, 117, Michelle L. Elliott

10. Timeless Bounty, Malcolm Franklin, 117, David Wilson, Jr.

11. Ahimelech, Jeffrey Sanchez, 117, Jeffrey Skerrett

12. Insofar, Gabriel Lagunes, 117, Eduardo Caramori

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Best Of Ohio Pick 5 Highlights Saturday’s Card At Mahoning Valley

The Best of Ohio stake series returns to Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course this Saturday, Oct. 30, consisting of five Ohio-bred stakes with purses totaling half a million dollars. While the ten race card kicks off with a first race post time of 12:15pm, the first of the Best of Ohio stakes will begin in race six.

As a specialty offering on the card, Mahoning Valley will include a Best of Ohio all stake Pick 5 covering races six through ten with the standard 15 percent takeout. Field size after early scratches averages ten betting interests per race. Sixth race post time is 2:35pm. Should there be a carryover in the early Pick 5 covering races one through five, it will carryover and be immediately available in the Best of Ohio Pick 5.

Tune into the races before the first as track announcer Matt Hook is joined by Mike Annechino and Tony Fischbach of the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners breaking down the Best of Ohio stakes and sharing their picks for the day.

Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course races Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with a first race post time of 12:45pm and Saturday with a first race post time of 12:15pm. The fall race meet runs October 22 – December 30, 2021 with three unique cards on Friday, October 22, Friday, November 26, and Thursday, December 30 all with a first race post time of 12:45pm. The 2022 Winter/Spring race meet dates are anticipated to be January 1, 2022 – April 16, 2022 following the same Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday format. These dates are currently pending approval by the Ohio State Racing Commission.

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Live Racing Returns To Mahoning Valley On Oct. 22; PDJF Fundraiser Oct. 23

Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course is returning for its 8th season of live thoroughbred racing with a two day opening weekend celebration consisting of free concerts, wiener dog races, great food, and a fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockey's Fund.

“We are excited to welcome racing fans and horses back to Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course,” commented Rob Swedinovich, Vice President and General Manager, “The team here has been working diligently creating a fun opening weekend and great racing season calendar that fans can look forward to every year.”

This season, handicappers will notice some new and exciting additions to the wagering menu as well as the return of familiar favorites.

“I received great feedback from our handicappers this summer with the most common request being a rolling daily double and rolling Pick 3, I am happy to deliver on both,” states Elizabeth Rogers, Assistant Director of Racing.

This will make Mahoning Valley the only thoroughbred track in Ohio to offer such a wager. Returning favorites include the low, 15% takeout Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 and for those who enjoy jackpot wagers, the Buckeye Jackpot Pick 6. Last season saw the Pick 6 carryover grow to over $340,000 before being offered as a mandatory payout on March 29 paying out $7,448 on a winning 20-cent ticket.

The first stake action of the meet will be on October 30 when the top Ohio Breds take to the track competing for half a million dollars in purses in the final Best of Ohio stakes of 2021. Three weeks later will see the return of the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint for three year olds going 6 furlongs on November 22. Nominations for the Steel Valley Sprint close on November 8.

First post Friday, October 22 is 12:45pm with Bon Journey taking the stage immediately after live racing. Saturday, October 23 will have a first race post time of 12:15pm with wiener dogs taking to the track after the second race at approximately 12:50pm. Fundraising for the Permanently Disabled Jockey's Fund will be ongoing throughout the races with a silent auction and signings by local and retired jockeys. Confirmed special guests include Mike Manganello, Sandy Hawley, Kaoru Tsuchiya-Hawley, Roger Blanco, and Maureen Andrews. The smooth sounds of House of Soul will close out opening weekend celebrations.

Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course races Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with a first race post time of 12:45pm and Saturday with a first race post time of 12:15pm. The fall race meet runs October 22 – December 30, 2021 with three unique cards on Friday, October 22, Friday, November 26, and Thursday, December 30 all with a first race post time of 12:45pm. The 2022 Winter/Spring race meet dates are anticipated to be January 1, 2022 – April 16, 2022 following the same Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday format. These dates are currently pending approval by the Ohio State Racing Commission.

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