Trio exiting Iowa Sprint key to Sen. Robert Byrd Memorial

The Iowa Sprint Handicap holds the key for bettors who want to start the all-stakes late pick four at Mountaineer the right way.

The first-, third-, and fourth-place finishers from the Iowa Sprint look like the prime players in the $100,000 Sen. Robert Byrd Memorial, which will be run over six furlongs on dirt and starts a 50-cent pick four spanning races 6 through 9.

Candip won the Iowa Sprint and probably will be favored because of it, but third-place Wilbo rates at least an equal chance at a better price. Wilbo was making his stakes debut in the Iowa Sprint while racing for the first time in more than five months, and he finished well to lose by less than one length to Candip, who had an experience and recency edge.

W. B. Smudge had beaten Candip in an allowance race at Churchill Downs before the Iowa Sprint, predictably regressed at Prairie Meadows, and is eligible to bounce back Saturday, but Wilbo is the one with all the upside.

◗ Mizz Money threw a rare clunker when finishing 10th in the Grade 3 Mint Julep two months ago at Churchill, but she has since been freshened up and, with a return to form, is the one to beat in the $100,000 West Virginia Senate President’s Cup over one mile and 70 yards on grass.

Bernie Flint, who trains Mizz Money, also entered the talented Brooklynsway, but she appears to be in the race in case of a rain-off onto dirt since Brooklynsway is 0 for 2 in limited grass starts.

Mizz Money, though, has six wins and four seconds from 15 turf tries, and she won the Grade 3 Gallorette at Pimlico after showing strong winter form at Fair Grounds. She has rateable speed, runs well on various courses, and will be formidable with a return to her best.

Notte d’Oro and Susie Bee are the logical alternatives.

◗ I’m A Looker, who has come around nicely this year for trainer Pat Dupuy, is the leading contender to win the $100,000 West Virginia Secretary of State over six furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares.

:: WEST VIRGINIA DERBY: Get PPs, watch Saturday's card live on DRF.com

◗ Black Bear, who was just second in an Ellis Park stakes, is the pick to run down the speed in the 4 1/2-furlong West Virginia Legislature Chairman’s Cup.

◗ Completing the stakes action Saturday are two $100,000 West Virginia-bred six-furlong dirt sprints, the Northern Panhandle and the Hancock County for fillies. Form in both races is difficult to assess since so many participants have been racing over the bullring at Charles Town and have little familiarity with Mountaineer’s larger oval.