Mountaineer Horse Racing Picks for Tuesday 7/14/20
With most of the sports world on pause, it's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 7:00 p.m. EST today, we have nine races at Mountaineer Racetrack. Using our projections as a guide, here's a look at some of the best bets.
As always, keep an eye out for scratches and changes.
(I will be referencing Equibase's Speed Figure, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions)
Loyalty Spirit, Race 1 (7:00 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 8/1
numberFire's models like Loyalty Spirit to finish as the runner-up, but I like the gelding's odds in this one. Though he has posted figures of 78 and 75 in his last two, Loyalty Spirit had reached figures of 88 and 89 in the two efforts prior. He's a six-time winner at Mountaineer in 18 tries. That's a 33.3% clip. Jockey Luis Colon has won a track-high 24% of his 2020 races and has placed first in an impressive 26.1% dating back to 2016.
Heart in Hand (8/5) is the current betting favorite and comes in with top form. The gelding has achieved figures of 85 and 90 in his last two and has placed top-two in four of his last five. His jockey is not among the winningest here, but he has had success in similar events. Arch Revenge (5/1) is fresh off consecutive figures better than 80 and is numberFire's pick to place first. Echoes of Thunder (15/1) is bound to be in the mix as well.
Loupacate, Race 2 (7:22 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 7/2
Our model has Loupacate placing second, but it's hard not to like the filly's chances. In her lone race of 2020, the four-year-old finished as the runner up with a figure of 69, though she was well clear of third. Her form is top-notch. Rider Keivan Serrano is first in purse at Mountaineer this year.
Jockeyed by the aforementioned Colon, Kertara (8/1) is capable of reaching impressive speeds. The filly's showing three weeks ago was quite poor (seventh), though she has since had an effort that looked promising five days ago. Chasing the Kitty (5/1) achieved a figure of 83 last time out and should be thereabouts. Betting favorite Baroness Vontrappe (3/1) is coming off a lackluster effort but has the ability to win by several lengths.
Zafir, Race 8 (9:34 PM)
FD Racing Odds: 3/1
This Allowance event with nine runners will go 5 1/2 furlongs. Based on his figures, it's tough not to like Zafir's chances in this one. In his last four, the colt had reached figures of 83, 91, 63, and 74. Very impressive for this field. With jockey colon in the saddle, Zafir will be tough to beat.
Kitten's Man (5/2) is the current betting favorite, fresh off a win here three weeks ago. The colt has posted figures of 70 and 74 in his last two. Bankx Turbo (4/1) has had career-best figures in his last three. The gelding is bound to be in the mix. Our model has longshot Santa Fe Blaze (15/1) placing first.
