Petrov, Uncontested invade for Steel Valley Sprint

Cake Pop defends his home state against the stakes-tested pair of Petrov and Uncontested in the $200,000 Steel Valley Sprint, as Mahoning Valley in Ohio cards the biggest program of its meet Monday.

The third renewal of the Steel Valley Sprint, a six-furlong open stakes for 3-year-olds, anchors a nine-race program that also includes the $75,000 Mahoning Distaff for fillies and mares sprinting. The average field size entered for the competitive card, which also includes two allowances and a maiden special weight, is 10.8 horses. First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the Steel Valley Sprint (race 7) set for 3:33 p.m. and the Mahoning Distaff (race 6) at 3:04.

Uncontested, Grade 2 placed as a juvenile for trainer Wayne Catalano, and Petrov, stakes placed last year for Ron Moquett, were familiar rivals in Oaklawn’s series of Triple Crown prep races this past winter and spring. Uncontested won the Smarty Jones Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths over runner-up Petrov, who turned the tables by finishing second in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes as Uncontested finished fifth. Petrov was fourth and Uncontested eighth in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes, and Petrov went on to finish ninth in the Arkansas Derby.

Both then turned back to shorter distances, and have shown signs of life in recent months. Petrov posted solid allowance wins at Saratoga and Keeneland, and finished third in the Grade 3 Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx Racing. Uncontested, third in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs in spring, is looking to rebound after finishing sixth against older horses in the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland.

With a number of notable riders coming in to ride Mahoning’s Monday program, Jose Ortiz retains the mount on Petrov. He has piloted the colt to his two most recent wins. Channing Hill regains the mount on Uncontested after having ridden him at Oaklawn. The two are drawn in the outside posts in the 10-horse field.

Cake Pop has won two stakes this year, both for Michael and Penny Lauer, taking the Tall Stack Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs and stretching out to 1 1/8 miles to win the Cleveland Gold Cup. He finished third in the Governor’s Buckeye Cup and second in the Best of Ohio Endurance, beaten just a length by reigning statebred horse of the year Mo Dont No. Those races were at 1 1/4 miles, and he cut back to a mile to finish third in an allowance at Mahoning Valley last out. He now shortens up to six furlongs, a distance at which he never has finished off the board.

Christian Pilares regains the mount on Cake Pop after riding him three times earlier this year, never missing the board. The pair drew post 2.

Lasting Legacy makes his stakes debut having won his two starts by a combined 8 1/4 lengths for trainer Jason Servis. He comes off a three-length allowance victory on Oct. 13 at Belmont, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 99 – the top number in the field.

Wellabled was a multiple stakes winner as a juvenile in a campaign entirely on turf and synthetic, highlighted by a victory in the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity. He is making his first start since November 2016. Also making his first start on dirt is Ontario-bred Singandcryindubai, who has finished on the board in six of his eight starts. The field is rounded out by Indiana-bred Black Salt, winner of two straight allowances in his home state; Grumplestiltskin, coming off a stakes win against West Virginia-breds; multiple stakes-winning Michigan-bred Shadow Tracer; and Heartwood, coming off a win at Thistledown. Joel Rosario is in to ride Heartwood.

The invaders for the Mahoning Distaff include Maryland-bred Crabcakes and her regular rider Forest Boyce, who are coming off a victory in the Maryland Million Distaff at Laurel. She has won three straight races, including the Miss Disco at Laurel Park and a romp in an optional claimer. She was second in the Austintown Filly Sprint Stakes at Mahoning Valley earlier this year.

Lake Ponchatrain won the Pink Ribbon Stakes earlier this year at Charles Town, but is looking to bounce back after finishing 10th in the Grade 2 Chilukki at Churchill Downs. The field also includes stakes winner Whistle Stop, coming off three straight stakes placings in Indiana, and stakes-placed Tune Up, who has won consecutive allowances at Thistledown.