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Horse Pick of the Day - Mountaineer Race 8

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Tuesday is usually Mountaineer day as most of the top tracks in North America are dark.

That’s not an issue because Mountaineer routinely runs races with full fields and competitive horses.  BetUS online racebook fans can find overlays at Mountaineer.

Let’s analyze Race 8 at Mountaineer on Tuesday night.

Mountaineer – Race 8

Claiming $10,000

For Three Year Olds and Up

6 furlongs on dirt

Buddha Calling – 3/1 morning line odds

The 5 year old gelded son of Buddha never panned out for trainers Bruce Levine and Tom Amoss and now runs for John Hill.  Buddha Calling was purchased for $100,000 at auction but finds himself in a $10,000 claimer at Mountaineer on Tuesday night.  No worries.  Buddha Calling is still running well enough to garner nice speed ratings and should thump this field on class alone.  The biggest hurdle is the fact that 6 furlongs might be too short for him, but I’m willing to say his class prevails over the distance issue.

Sefapianos Home – 12/1 morning line odds

I’m willing to say that there is enough speed in this race to set up this closer who was absolutely trounced in his first start back.  That was at the $15,000 level and the slight drop in class might be enough.  Trainer Brenda Hill is winning at a 38% clip in 2009 and at 67% for the meet.  Two straight victories to close out 2008 means that improvement in this race, Sefapianos Home’s second start back, is likely.

Madly Paddlin Home – 7/2 morning line odds

This 5 year old gelding goes artificial to dirt for trainer Burton Sipp.  Madly Paddlin Home should be first in line to take on the speedsters in this and could hang on for a piece or even the victory if the pace is suitable for his style.  He’s been first, second or third in 16 out of 28 starts and is 1 for 2 in the money at Mountaineer.  Out of 9 starts at 6 furlongs, Madly Paddlin Home has finished in the money in 7 of those.

Wagering Strategy

Buddha Calling should be too classy for this bunch.  I’ll bet him to win and place.  I will key Buddha Calling over Madly Paddlin Home and Sefapianos Home in an exacta.  I will switch for less.  I will key Buddha Calling and Sefapianos Home in a trifecta over Buddha Calling, Sefapianos Home, Madly Paddlin Home and speedster Fast Fashion.