Mahoning Valley: Stakes Selections for Nov. 21, 2022

A handful of black-type events will headline a fine day of action at Mahoning Valley on Monday.

Race 5: First Lady S.

Sophomore fillies will go postward in the six-furlong test for Ohio-breds. #4 Lionistic (2-1) is the logical selection to kick off the stakes action for conditioner Jeff Radosevich. The Animal Kingdom filly is 4-for-7 at the distance and looked good in a facile allowance triumph at Thistledown last time out, as well. The dark bay is a prime wire-to-wire threat under Malcolm Franklin.

Race 6: Distaff S.

An octet of fillies and mares will highlight the six-furlong heat. #4 Current Climate (10-1) represents fine value at her morning-line price for trainer Michelle Elliott. The dark bay filly closed for a runner-up allowance result in her local debut most recently, and I expect her to move forward on Monday while making her second local run. Franklin has the assignment.

Race 7: Youngstown Oaks S.

A total of nine three-year-old fillies will dash three-quarters of a mile in a competitive tilt. #1 Your So Sillea (8-1) has put in a trio of very good efforts from four career tries to date for conditioner Phil Sims, and she deserves a chance while making her stakes debut. The dark bay daughter of Lea has been especially sharp in her last pair of races, and the Kentucky-bred sped a quick half-mile morning drill in advance of this affair, as well. Jack Gilligan will be in the silks.

Race 8: Steel Valley Sprint S.

The most lucrative event on the card attracted a solid field of 11 for the six-furlong dash. #1 Knocker Down (4-1) shows four wins and a smart second from his last five sprint tries for conditioner Travis Murphy. The Cairo Prince gelding has really found his niche as a one-turn specialist and comes off a fantastic score over a sloppy, sealed surface at Churchill Downs last time out. He will be the one with something resembling that performance.

Race 9: Cardinal H.

#2 Dougie D Oro (5-2) ran too well to be defeated in his latest venture and gets the nod on this occasion. The multiple stakes victor always performs well on the surface and will be in the mix from the break in a field lacking an abundance of pace. The Jerry Sparks trainee will be a single for me to close out the card.