Going against the family proved an unwise move in Mountaineer's most notable race, as Jon Court steered Colonelsdarktemper—who is trained by his father-in-law Jinks Fires—to a gate-to-wire, one-length victory in the West Virginia Derby (G3).
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week a loaded card at Saratoga Race Course, featuring two grade 1 races, highlights the schedule.
There is terrific stakes action all over the map Aug. 5, which is Whitney Stakes (G1) Day at Saratoga Race Course and also West Virginia Derby (G3) Day at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort.
Bill Mooney's work on promoting the West Virginia Derby, and all of racing at Mountaineer, will be recognized Aug. 5 with a race named in his memory.
Calumet Farm's homebred Patch, the popular classic-placed colt from the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher, heads up a field of 11 sophomore runners scheduled to meet in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby Aug. 5 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.
EquiLottery has come to an agreement with Mountaineer Park in New Cumberland, West Virginia that will allow its lottery game based on the results of live horse racing to use video feeds from Mountaineer's annual racing calendar.
Luis Quinones is closing out a strong 2016 in memorable fashion as the jockey grabbed the 1,000th victory of his career Dec. 28 at Mahoning Valley Race Course.
Trainer John Baird secured the 2,000th victory of his career Oct. 24 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort when Monba Number Five posted a front-running win in the first race.
The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance welcomed a move from the West Virginia Racing Commission Sept. 20 when the regulator became the first in the country to require its tracks to join the industry safety organization.
Jockey Deshawn Parker won the 5,000th race of his career when he guided heavy favorite Be Nice to victory in the third race May 2 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.
Saratoga, Monmouth, Mountaineer, Woodbine, Arlington, Del Mar, Gulfstream & More
The TOBA Owners Concierge, which launched in March, recently welcomed five new additions, boosting the initiative's participants to 25.
West Virginia's two Thoroughbred tracks have been approved for a total of 430 racing dates for 2015, according to schedules approved Nov. 18 by the West Virginia Racing Commission.
Saratoga, Del Mar, Europe, Mountaineer, Woodbine, Monmouth, Louisiana Downs & More.
Saratoga, Del Mar, Europe, Mountaineer, Woodbine, Monmouth, Louisiana Downs & More
Winchell Thoroughbreds' Tapiture overcame a troubled trip and a lost shoe to gamely defeat a determined Candy Boy at the wire in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort Aug. 2.
Officials at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort are in a battle with the Hancock County Board of Health over plans for an ordinance that would ban smoking in all public places, including outdoor areas.
Advance deposit wagering and historical race wagering are on the West Virginia Racing Commission's legislative wish list for 2015.
Forty-seven 3-year-olds have been nominated for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby presented by Xpressbet (gr. II), to be run Aug. 2 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.
Advance deposit wagering outlet Xpressbet will sponsor the West Virginia Derby (gr. II) Aug. 2 at the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, W.Va.
Racetrack and casino owner MTR Gaming reports its planned merger with another casino owner is on schedule for the second half of 2014. After the merger, the company will be renamed Eldorado Resorts.
Parx Racing said live racing was canceled for Dec. 23-24, making the ninth and 10th lost programs in December.
The 2014 live racing season at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, featuring a major change in weekly schedule, will commence March 1 and conclude Dec. 20.
Saratoga, Mountaineer, Canterbury, Calder, Louisiana Downs, Europe, Woodbine and more!
Saratoga, Mountaineer, Canterbury, Calder, Louisiana Downs, Europe, Woodbine and more
Owner Mark Russell did some ducking and dodging with his 7-year-old gelding Russell Road at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort, and it paid off in an unusual way.
The well-traveled Taptowne made a stop in West Virginia Aug. 3 and made off with the cash with a victory in the $200,000 West Virginia Governor's Stakes at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.
The 2013 Independence Day Stakes July 2 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort will be designated a non-listed black-type race following a review by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
Officials looking into the cause and if any violations occurred at the time, and how reporting and protocol were handled after the death of Slippin' Around, who was scheduled to run April 19 at Mountaineer.
Veteran jockey T.D. Houghton registered the 5,000th win of his career May 4 when he guided 3-5 favorite Mambo Galliano, owned by Shane Spiess, to a 6 1/2-length victory in a $4,000 claiming race at Thistledown.
Wintry conditions, including snow showers and a temperature well below average, have caused the cancellation of the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort card for Sunday, March 3.
Overnight races will receive a 10% increase compared with last year when Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort commences its 63rd season of live Thoroughbred racing Friday, March 1.
Jockey Corey Nakatani and Macho Macho let Louisiana Derby winner (gr. I) Hero of Order do the dirty work wearing out 3-5 favorite Hansen in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II), then rolled to victory Aug. 4.
Tom and Pete handicap the Whitney Invitational Handicap and the West Virginia Derby this week.
The brilliant, nearly white frontrunner will find the eyes of the nation upon him Aug. 4 when he heads postward as the 3-5 morning line favorite in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II)
Turf racing has returned to Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, which reopened its seven-furlong course on Memorial Day.
Zanjero, a two-time grade II winner, sired his first winner when his son Zambito scored May 18 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in his initial start.
Cooperation and concessions could do wonders in the Mid-Atlantic region, which badly needs a circuit strategy.
Revised regulations adopted by the West Virginia Racing Commission would allow the agency to take action against permit holders found to have knowingly sold a horse for slaughter.
Prayer for Relief ran down front-running Rush Now by a half-length Aug. 6 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort to win the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II).
California invaders Prayer for Relief and Dreamy Kid, both recent graded stakes winners, headline a field of 10 in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) Aug. 6 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.
The three Triple Crown race winners are all pointing toward the Haskell Invitational (gr. I), but a hefty bonus in the West Virginia Derby (gr. II) could help lure a top 3-year-old.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will offer financial incentives designed to attract graded-stakes winners for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) on Aug. 6.
Despite missing nearly three months of time due to a injuries, DeShawn Parker led all jockeys in wins in 2010, the first time he has accomplished that feat during his long career.
A son, Native Nico, edges D' Sauvage by a neck in career debut.
MTR Gaming Group reported declines in revenue and earnings for 2009, but also saw improvement in these areas for the fourth quarter of the year.
Some people have to overcome one large obstacle to achieve their goals. DeShawn Parker climbed three different hurdles to get what he wanted.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort announced Aug. 28 it has reduced its workforce by another 35 employees.
Several 3-year-olds entered in the Aug. 1 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) galloped around a sloppy surface at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort the morning before a race no trainer is willing to say is easy to handicap.
Organized horse racing in West Virginia dates back at least 223 years, but no horse who has won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) has ever competed in the Mountaineer State before. That status is going to change on Aug. 1, when Mine That Bird goes to the post in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.
