The racing action from Mountaineer on Sunday features the West Virginia Derby. @HandicappingT3 has all the Mountaineer picks for the entire card!
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Mountaineer Full Card Analysis
Mountaineer Picks: West Virginia Derby (08/03/2025)
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Mountaineer Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 5:00 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $18k; 7 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.
Longshot Play of the Day
- #3 MUTAKATIF (8-1): Longshot play of the day. Barn has been solid. Comes in with solid form. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
- #7 VALENTINE BUG (3-1): Contender. Stamina to be in the mix late. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #2 ROUNDBALL ROCK (4-1): Fringe Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Should sit a good trip.
- #4 TOO FRACING LUCKY (2-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 3 – 7 – 2 – 4
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-1
Exacta: 3/ 7,2,4
Mountaineer Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 5:25 PM ET; Allowance $25k; 1 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #5 LUCKY CURLIN (4-1): Prime Win Player. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Top connections on the circuit with Feliciano and Feliciano.
- #4 MOREAU (6-1): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Bracho puts this one in with a chance.
- #1 TARHE (9-2): Fringe Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
- #2 COUTH (5-2): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer’s horses have been running.
Selections: 5 – 4 – 1 – 2
The Plays
Win: #5 at 2-1
Exacta: 5/ 4,1,2
Mountaineer Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 5:50 PM ET; Starter Optional Claiming $18k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #1 LARIMAR (4-1): Top pick. Should be able to work out a trip. Looks good based on the 87 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
- #3 WATERWORKS (12-1): Major Player. Aviles and Clouston team up on this one. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #8 MISS FUSSY PANTS (20-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Chavez puts this one in with a chance.
- #4 LITTLE BIT OF THAT (9-5): Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 1 – 3 – 8 – 4
The Plays
Win: #1 at 3-1
Exacta: 1/ 3,8,4
Mountaineer Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 6:15 PM ET; Starter Optional Claiming $15.1k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #2 RHUMJAR (4-1): Top pick. Decent form of late. Barbaran puts this one in with a chance.
- #4 SHIVAREE (12-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #6 SWEEPING GIANT (2-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Should sit a good trip.
- #8 MORNING THOUGHTS (12-1): Major Player. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Early pace figs should have this one involved from the start.
Selections: 2 – 4 – 6 – 8
The Plays
Win: #2 at 4-1
Exacta Box: 2,4,6
Mountaineer Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 6:40 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $18k; 7 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #1 TOOLPUSHER (7-2): Top pick. Should be able to work out a trip.
- #8 SKIPPERINI (4-1): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
- #5 THOUGHT (8-1): Major Player. Not likely to be short in the stretch. Speed figs match up nicely.
- #7 LOMACHENKO (9-2): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 1 – 8 – 5 – 7
The Plays
Win: #1 at 3-1
Exacta: 1/ 8,5,7
Mountaineer Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 7:05 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $18k; 7 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.
Best Bet of the Card
- #8 AFANDI (2-1): Best bet of the card. Comes in with solid form. Solid closing kick. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #7 BELLE BREZING (7-2): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
- #10 CLAIRE’S DARLING (10-1): Contender. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
- #9 LADY MOSLER (6-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 8 – 7 – 10 – 9
The Plays
Win: #8 at 1-1
Exacta: 8/ 7,10,9
Pick 3 (races 6-8): #8 with #8,1 with #2
Mountaineer Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 7:40 PM ET; West Virginia Governor’s Stakes $200k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #8 HIT SHOW (9-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Barn has been solid.
- #1 NOT THIS BOY (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Likely to get forward position.
- #9 HEROIC MOVE (9-2): Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Speed figs match up nicely.
- #2 THE WINE STEWARD (8-1): Fringe Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 8 – 1 – 9 – 2
The Plays
Win: #8 at 2-1
Exacta: 8/ 1,9
Mountaineer Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 8:15 PM ET; West Virginia Derby $400k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #2 EAST AVENUE (8-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
- #4 CHUNK OF GOLD (5-2): Major Player. Loveberry puts this one in with a chance. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #8 JUST A FAIR SHAKE (12-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
- #5 MCAFEE (3-1): Contender. Recent races are solid. Trainer’s horses have been running.
Selections: 2 – 4 – 8 – 5
The Plays
Win: #2 at 2-1
Exacta: 2/ 4,8,5
Mountaineer Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 8:40 PM ET; Starter Optional Claiming $18k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #6 ATKINS (5-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Race sets up perfectly.
- #5 SCOOT DADDY (15-1): Major Player. Running well of late. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
- #3 LORD OF MISCHIEF (10-1): Major Player. Likely in the mix early. Could wear these ones down late.
- #4 GEAUX YOSHKA (6-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 6 – 5 – 3 – 4
The Plays
Win: #6 at 3-1
Exacta: 6/ 5,3,4
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