When Horses to Watch show up in your inbox, the task of picking a race to feature comes easier. Now, if it only turns out the way a reversal of the last trip would pay dividends.
The race in question was run in Oldsmar on RACE 7 on DEC 23 and the horse in question is Mountain Valley (5-1). There are wide trips, then there are the kind this Keith Nations ship-in had to endure.
You don’t expect not to lose ground in the short run to the first turn after drawing the #10 slip, but you do hope some attempt is made to save some ground at some point during the race. As the TAMPA BAY TODAY Video will show, that didn’t happen.
Wide absolutely every step it was amazing that he was able to mount a rally into the lane and kept trying even though he had to be exhausted. Good thoroughbreds, whatever their level, show their courage if they love their job. This guy obviously likes his work and managed to finish third.
He’s already won on this ground and was second in his only start at today’s trip. Raul Mena takes the re-ride and the move inside to the #2 post rates to help his chances, even in a same-level field that looks a tad tougher than his last.
We’re taking Mountain Valley to win at 4-1 or greater and an exacta box with Joy City (9-2).
