Trigger Warning Wins Steel Valley Sprint

Cutting back in distance paid off for Brinley Enterprises' well-traveled Trigger Warning as the 3-year-old Candy Ride  colt secured the most lucrative win of his career Nov. 19 in the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

Starting at six furlongs for the first time since his most recent win, a neck victory in the Tom Ridge Stakes in May at Presque Isle Downs, Trigger Warning held off a stretch-long surge from Bobby's Wicked One to prevail by a nose. Tyler Gaffalione, aboard the runner-up, filed an objection against the winner and rider Irwin Rosendo for interference in the stretch but the stewards found no foul and made no change.

Trained by Mike Rone, Trigger Warning was starting at a different track for the eighth straight time Monday. Earlier this year Trigger Warning finished third in the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown and later picked up a grade 1-placing when he finished third in the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. After the Pennsylvania Derby, Trigger Warning was entered in the one-turn Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs where he showed little to finish seventh.

Given a class break and returned to six furlongs, Trigger Warning responded Monday with a game win, completing the distance in 1:10.56 on a sloppy track.

Bobby's Wicked One just missed, settling for second while Still Having Fun rallied for third but never threatened the top two. Trigger Warning returned $10.60, $5, and $3.60 across the board while Bobby's Wicked One paid $5 to place and $4 to show. Still Having Fun returned $3.20 to show. 

Earlier on the card, S. D. Brilie Partnership's Puntsville picked up her third win and second stakes win in four 2018 starts when the 6-year-old Cashel Castle mare scored a one-length win over eight rivals in the $75,000 Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Distaff Stakes. 

Trained by Michele Boyce and guided to victory by Carlos Marquez Jr., Puntsville completed six furlongs in 1:12.07 on a sloppy track.