Paul Quigley's US Racing Preview

Wednesday’s Stateside Preview comes from Tampa Bay Downs and Mahoning Valley. The first race below may not be the best betting medium but maybe the most interesting. It is maiden for fillies and mares on the turf. It sees the belated second career start of Chad Brown’s Opera de Ravel. Her debut at Aqueduct was a fine one. That was in May 2024. She must have had a serious setback to have been on the shelf that long. She’s really well bred. Her dam was multiple graded stakes placed. She’s not the only well-related runner in that race. Graham Motion trained the half sister of Vronti to win a Grade 2. That four year showed plenty of ability with Richard Hannon. She ran as she may have needed the race on her Stateside debut.

Remember if any Stateside tracks or races are not covered by Sky Sports Racing, you can watch all of them on The Attheraces.com Player. That’s for free.                        

The Stateside Preview from Mahoning Valley and Tampa Bay Downs for Wednesday 25 February 2026

Tampa Bay Down Race 5 (7.47pm)

Maiden Special Weight – Fillies and Mares – 4 year olds and upwards – 1 1/16 Miles – Turf

There are classier races on this card but there could be one or two in here that may graduate to stakes events. The most likely to do that is OPERA DE RAVEL (4) whose dam was multiple graded placed. She’s only had one run and it was fine one too. Over this distance at Aqueduct, she ran a close up second. That was a deep maiden with most of that field coming back to run well. It was in May 2024 so she must have had a physical issue not to have raced again. Her trainer Chad Brown has a fine record with long term returnees. She is likely to be fit enough to win this. 

A trio of these ran in a maiden here on 10 January. Judging by the run-backs, that was a deep race for the level. Vronti (5) did the best of them running fourth. It was her first start since being three times placed for Richard Hannon last summer. She ran like she needed the run, fading late on. Her trainer Graham Motion did well with her half sister, winning a Grade 2 with her. She is very playable if Opera De Ravel (4) is overbet. Queen Dancing (3) finished only half a length behind her last time. Interesting Bill Mott now opts for a weight break and use 7lb claimer Taylor Kingsley. She has made a super start to her career and is four from twelve when she rides for the trainer.

The selection is not the runner in here who has a long lay off to defy. Andromache (8) has not raced since July 2023. She was placed in a maiden at Woodbine six weeks earlier. Por Voce (9) ran second in back to back maidens, one at Gulfstream in the autumn. She has a place chance at least. So too is Tellnotales (2) off her one run routing on the turf.     

Reality Star (7) finished only a head behind Vronti (5) last time. She is entered ‘main track only’. Based on her dirt form, she may be hard to beat if this maiden comes off the grass. 
 
Selection: Opera De Ravel (4)
No exotics 

Mahoning Valley Race 7 (8.03pm)

Claiming $5,000 – 3 year olds and upwards – 1 Mile – Dirt

The most solid runner is Toast To Coast (2). He had Only Get'n Better (6) a length behind him and a few others in here further adrift when second in a similar event to this one early this month. The six-year-old filled the same position in another claimer for today’s price less than a fortnight later. His old rival Only Get'n Better (6) has to be reckoned with. He can get behind early. The likely pace scenario may play against the late runner. 

Maybe MASTER OF THE NITE (5) is worth siding with here. He ran below his best when behind Toast to Coast (2) early this month. He did have a wide trip. Maybe more importantly, he’d been away almost seven weeks. As Mahoning Valley was in deep freeze for a lot of January, he may have missed some training. He has the form to take this. The runner who finished third to him in December beat Toast To Coast (2) last time.

The most interesting runner in here is Zaddy (7). He comes off a third place for today’s price at Turfway. The one-two in that race have not been out since but a couple of the also-rans did come back to score. All his form is sprinting. The is a chance he makes the lead in a paceless-looking affair. If he is a big price, he is worth a saver at least. 

Like him, Cool Couple (1) has to prove himself over a mile. He’s not been disgraced in a couple of better races since winning back to back claimers either side of New Year. The rail drawn runner gets significant class relief and runs as if he’s worth a try at this distance.  

The veteran Firewater Jake (8) wired a field by almost eight lengths in December. If similar tactics are employed, he could do so at a price here.  

Selection: Master Of The Nite (5)
No exotics

Tampa Bay Downs Race 6 (8.17pm)

Allowance Optional Claiming – 4 year olds and upwards – 1 Mile 40 yards – Dirt

Some of these get significant class relief. X Y Prime (1) was placed some fifteen lengths by the winner at Gulfstream eleven days ago. The pair that thrashed him are graded stakes performers. He is a player off his form in claimers and allowance events. Most of his form is on turf and synthetics. He has won on a fast main track. If he runs, he may lock horns with DIGITAL OPS (5) early on. He may have needed his comeback last month. His best run was when second in a stake at Aqueduct in August. He stays very well but all his best efforts have come when on the engine. His trainer Saffie Joseph is winning at a fine rate with the runners he’s had at this meet.

Twilight Dancer (4) goes for another trainer having a fine meet. He had a couple of these behind him when winning at today’s level over course and distance last month. His last start can be forgiven. The company was classy and the cut back to seven furlongs did not suit. Provided some of the speed doesn’t scratch out, he should get a nice trip. That is also the case with Zatara (7). He made an encouraging return when second to a barn mate of the selection. His trainer Jon Arnett has found some form after a slow start to this meet.        

Single Dot Yaht (3) was well beaten in a productive stakes calibre allowance event at Gulfstream last time out in November. His trainer has a good record with lay off runners. If he gets some pace to chase down, he’s not out of this.

Selection: Digital Ops (5)
No exotics 

Mahoning Valley Race 8 (8.31pm)

Allowance (split conditions) – 3 year olds and upwards – 6 Furlongs – Dirt

Before getting too involved in this race, a couple of things to note. Check how speed is playing and are there any key scratches. On paper, there is plenty of early zip in here. 

Illini (1) didn’t run his race on The Tapeta at Turfway last time. He’s ran well in both his starts at Mahoning. One of them was a clear-cut all the way starter victory here in December. He’s likely to have company on the lead from the likes of Zippin Gigi (8). The seven-year-old set fast fractions when slamming a field of claimers in December. If one of these speeds were the scratch, the other will be very dangerous.   

Brewing (7) and Pallino (4) are new faces from out of state. Both are now with capable locally based trainers and could figure. Pallino (4) has the better form from the likes of Monmouth and Delaware. That was on turf but he has won on dirt. He’s not raced since November but sports two really nice workouts at Mahoning. His new handler has a fine record with lay off runners. He is one to fear if you go in a different direction.    

EL ROSILLO (9) isn’t the fastest or most talented horse in here. He may ‘trip out’ better than most. He had speedy barn mate Prince Of Pennies (6) behind him when winning a starter event over course and distance eight days ago. The late runner may get a similar set up. Dream On Baby (10) is likely to be more forwardly placed. He had Erlan (3) behind him when third in a similar race to this one last month. He’s a place chance. With a stalking trip, so too is the hat-trick seeking Improbable First (11). The way he beat claimers last time suggested he could contend in an allowance event.         

Selection: El Rosillo (9)
No exotics