Pilares, Baird tops at Mountaineer

The nine-month Mountaineer Racetrack season, which began March 1, concluded last Sunday with jockey Christian Pilares and trainer Bart Baird winning the most races in their respective categories.

Pilares won 182 races, unseating perennial local champion Deshawn Parker, who was second with 172 wins. Last year, Parker topped the standings, with Pilares 13 wins back in second.

It should be noted Parker started the meet two weeks late while riding at Sam Houston Race Park, where he was second in the standings. Parker also rode extensively at Presque Isle Downs this summer.

Luis Rivera was third in the standings, just as he was in 2013, with 147 wins.

Bart Baird, son of the late Mountaineer Park legend Dale Baird, topped the trainer ranks for the second year in a row. Baird, 50, sent out 49 winners to best runner-up Burton Sipp by seven wins. Edward Clouston was third with 40 wins.

Sipp didn’t begin racing at Mountaineer until April 7.