How to bet the 2021 Steel Valley Sprint

A deep field of 12 one-turn specialists will travel six panels in the Monday feature at Mahoning Valley, the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint. It is one of two stakes on the card and it brought out some fine three-year-olds for the lucrative fray.

I am going to seek value in the heat and give top billing to the stakes-winning #7 Real Talk at an expected nice price. Trained by Carlos David, the talented son of Gemologist has been in good form for the majority of this campaign while compiling an 8-3-3-1 mark, led by a stylish victory in the Jersey Shore S. at Monmouth Park two races prior.

Real Talk gets a pass for finishing a distant third in the Gallant Bob S. (G2) at Parx as he dueled early with Jackie’s Warrior before fading in the lane. The bay showed a nice half-mile drill in his latest morning move at Palm Meadows, and I expect him to be in the mix from the opening bell from a good post while making his local debut. Paco Lopez coming in to guide the Florida-bred is a major plus, too.

A handful of additional horses can be considered logical contenders in the field, and I will use each of them in my exotics wagers with the top selection.

#2 Beren is a five-time stakes victor this season for Butch Reid and has endured success while running from both on or off the pace. The bay colt is 4-for-5 at the distance and will always be prominent with a clean break beneath Pennington.

Steve Asmussen’s #3 Jaxon Traveler has never finished worse than second from seven career appearances on the dirt, led by a trio of black-type victories. Consistently good Munnings colt comes in fresh with Corrales in the stirrups.

#4 Baby Yoda exploded onto the scene at Saratoga in the summer with a pair of fantastic wins, which preceded a third-place result in the Vosburgh S. (G2). The gelded Florida-bred looms a huge chance with something resembling his top effort.

#5 Newbomb was a game allowance winner at Belmont Park in his most recent endeavor and has trained swiftly since that triumph for Kelly Breen. The Speightstown dark bay has plenty of pace, and he will be a contender if he races to his recent morning moves.

The Antonio Sano-conditioned #6 Mister Luigi has fine form and has room for growth with just six career races to his credit. The Ghostzapper colt wouldn’t be a shock to me with Zayas in for the voyage. 

Steel Valley Sprint Wagers

• 60-cent superfecta key 7 with 2,3,4,5,6 ($36)
• 30-cent superfecta 2,3,4,5,6 with 7 with 2,3,4,5,6 with 2,3,4,5,6 ($18)