Paul Quigley's US Racing Preview

Wednesday’s Stateside Preview comes from Mahoning Valley and Tampa Bay Downs. I wanted to include Tampa’s feature and the race after as that looked competitive. It was only after I did those races that I realised they don’t fit well with the races at Mahoning Valley. I could have used race eight there but Onirico looks odds on and then-some based on a wide margin debut victory. Instead, I have picked earlier races at that Ohio venue. It does mean almost a two hour time span between the first and last races below. That may not be ideal for some of you.

It is always worth giving a shout out to the Attheraces.com Player. You can watch all The Stateside action for free. In addition, there is an excellent replay service. This can be a vital aid to handicapping, especially if many runners come out of the same event. 

All but one of the mares in race seven at Mahoning Valley competed in the ninth on 19 February. Have a look at the race and check out the performance of the runner-up Absolute Miracle. To the eye, her inexperienced rider asked too much from her in the third quarter. That is backed up by her fraction being a second faster than any of her rivals. Sometimes pundits and tipsters have a habit of slating a jockey for a bad ride instead of a poor selection or a victim of a speed dynamics. As a rule, I’m not a jockey knocker and Jefferson Skerrett is claiming five pounds for a reason. If he learns a lesson about pacing, she is likely to go one better.          

The Stateside Preview from Mahoning Valey and Tampa Bay Downs for Wednesday 4 March 2026 

Mahoning Valley Race 6 (7.35pm)

Claiming $5,000 – Fillies and Mares – 3 year olds and upwards – Non winners of a race since 4 September – 6 Furlongs – Dirt

Half of this field ran in a similar race over course and distance on 16 February. The near three length winner franked the form by scoring again on Monday. D' Kitten (5) did the best of them running second. She has now ran well in back to back starts. The six-year-old should be placed forwardly to her advantage behind the speed. 

D' Kitten (5) is a prime contender but GENERAL GINNY (4) may reverse the form. She missed the break by far more than the one length she finished behind D' Kitten (5). Angel Diaz gradually got her into contention but her run rather flattened out in the stretch. If she breaks on terms, she should be in a good attacking spot from the outset. She did rather lug in late on but that may have been a result of getting tired after the trip she had.   

Taking Charge Desi (8) finished a length and a half behind the selection and a further length adrift of General Ginny (4) last time. She has other recent form that gives her a chance. You have to go back to the summer to find a contending race for Sabelle (7). She has dangerous early speed but has been done by half way lately. A more logical player is Datttsafancyfox (3). She ran her best race for some time when third for today’s price last month. The winner was doubling up. The runner up came back to run second in an open claimer this week.    

Special Beach (2) has been freshened up since a modest effort in December. She has back races from late last year that put her in the mix. Here Kitty Kitty (6) lost badly last time but was squeezed at the start. She is in good hands. It will be no surprise if she rebounds running second time for her trainer. 

Selection: General Ginny (4)
No exotics

Mahoning Valley Race 7 (8.03pm)

Starter Allowance – Fillies and Mares – 3 year olds and upwards – 1 Mile 70 yards – Dirt

All bar one of these mares ran in a similar race here on 18 February. Shieldmewithprayer (1) won by a nose from ABSOLUTE MIRACLE (7) with Dreaming Of Audrey (5) half a length back in third. The winner has now ran half a dozen fine races in a row since joining her trainer. She was game in victory, rallying in deep stretch after the runner up passed her. With the rail draw and tactical speed, her backers can expect another solid effort. 

Absolute Miracle (7) looked best in that 18 February race. She had to settle towards the rear after hopping at the start. Her claiming rider Jefferson Skerrett made a massive move at half distance to sweep into the lead. She went over a second faster than any of her rivals in the third quarter. That effort took its toll late on. Her apprentice jockey is likely learning on the job. The chances are her rides her more evenly. A mile may be her upper limit stamina-wise. Bearing in mind her earlier sharp form, she looks capable of winning the re-match.   

Dreaming Of Audrey (5) kept on doggedly to close in that common race. She has to enter calculations. So too does Goshen (6). The hat-trick seeker is the only runner in this line up who didn’t run in that common race. Her latest victory just confirmed she is in great form. Her victory prior to that was a better one. She wired Gracie Dance (4) and Dreaming Of Audrey (5) in a similar race to this one over course and distance. The six-year-old is dangerous, especially if she makes the lead on her own.          

Selection: Absolute Miracle (7)
No exotics 

Tampa Bay Downs Race 7 (8.56pm)

Allowance Optional Claiming – 4 year olds and upwards – 1 1/16 Miles – Turf

This race will have a different look if any of the three reserves get in. Uncle's Gold (12) ran on Saturday so is unlikely to feature. The lightly raced McRavin (11) wired an entry level allowance field at Gulfstream on his four year old debut. He catches a field with little speed so may be placed to his advantage by his rider. If he runs, he is dangerous. Likewise, MESERO (13). He kept good company last year. His comeback in a deeper race than this one was good considering the race flow.      

Four of these ran in a race at this level over course and distance on 17 January. A couple of runners have come back to score including the winner. Spirit Prince (6) ran second, Soliway (9) third, Journeyman (1) fourth and Cable Ready (3) sixth. None of the quartet had eye-catching poor trips. Spirit Prince (6) and Soliway (9) did well trying to close against the winner who got it easy on the front. Spirit Prince (6) has the better CV with fine efforts in better races last year. He is a very logical contender. The former French based Soliway (9) is interesting. The one worry with him is trying to close in a race where there may be little speed to chase down.             

Mohs (7) has ran some nice races on this turf track but hasn’t raced since March. Street Earnings (8) doesn’t seem to stand much racing. He shaped well on his comeback. KEEP IT EASY (2) is more of a puzzler. He is hard to have on stats as Dale Romans has poor record with lay off runners and first time on the grass. He’s a stakes quality sprinter. Hs dam was very capable on the turf winning a stake. The chances are he is a lot bigger than his 7/2 morning line.   

Selection: Mesero (13). If absent Keep It Easy (2).
No exotics 

Tampa Bay Downs Race 8 (9.26pm)

Claiming $8,000 – 4 year olds and upwards – 7 Furlongs – Dirt

A few of these could come to life dropping sharply in class. The biggest dropper is Toddchero (3). He has been overmatched lately and did run well in the face of a stiff task last time. He was claimed for $32,000 in December. Now his connections are prepared to lose him for a fraction of that. He is dangerous despite that obvious red flag. So too are Triple Pass (5) and Cross Haste (2). The pair get class relief from starter events. Triple Pass (5) cuts back to arguably his best distance. Cross Haste (2) showed nothing in blinkers first time on his comeback. The headgear is removed for his second start. Like most of this field, he has back races that make him very competitive.    

Secret Treasure (1) was cut back from routes to great effect last month. The rail-drawn runner won a slightly cheaper claimer than today’s by four plus lengths. This is a slight rise in class. Interestingly, his trainer opts for a weight break and uses a capable 7lb claiming rider. Bang A Rang (9) finished third to him last time. He was made odds on after a clear-cut victory at today’s level. Forgive his last run and he’s a player at a much bigger price.  

Brother Brad (4) ships in from Gulfstream. He comes off a trio of good efforts in slightly cheaper and latterly slightly higher-priced claimers. The nine-year-old has a chance in an open looking event. So too does FINAL DRAMA (6). He has been running over a mile, winning in January. The five year old runs as if he may improve a little cutting back to seven furlongs. He may be a price as jockey Samual Marin appears to jump ship to ride Bang A Rang (9).   

Selection: Final Drama (6)
No exotics