The 2013 Independence Day Stakes at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort will be designated a non-listed black-type race following a review by the American Graded Stakes Committee after the July 2 race was moved from the turf to dirt.
In accord with AGSC policy, races that change scheduled surfaces are downgraded pending a review. The Independence Day was scheduled as a one mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up but was run as a one mile dirt race on a track listed as good. The AGSC determined the original listed status would not be reinstated for this renewal.
Four horses were scratched from the Independence Day, which was won by Russell Road, who secured the 19th stakes win of his career when he defeated seven other starters. Russell Road, a 7-year-old Wheaton gelding, has earned at least one stakes win in each of his six seasons of racing.
Russell Road winning the Independence Day Stakes.
Coady Photography