Mahoning Valley Ends 2018 with Record Handle

Mahoning Valley Racecourse recently concluded its Fall Meet and 2018 calendar season this past Saturday and did so with yet another annual increase in wagering. Since its launch in 2014, the young racetrack has seen handle increases each calendar year. All told, wagering volume on the Mahoning product for 2018 increased 10.6% compared to 2017.

"We are extremely proud to announce yet another increase in handle and both the state of Ohio and Ohio horsemen should also take pride in this accomplishment, said vice president of racing Mark Loewe. "It's incredibly exciting to see our team, from racing secretary Ed Vomacka, his racing office crew, valets, gate crew, and all operate at such a high level year after year. It takes a team effort and we have one heck of a team."

For the Fall Meet, jockey Luis M. Quinones captured his first riding title at Mahoning Valley, piloting 31 of his 189 mounts to the winner's circle. Quinones also finished third nationally in 2018 with 281 wins.  

"He's such a hard worker," said Quinones' agent Billy Johnson. "He's out there every morning working hard. He drives from track to track without complaint. I don't know how he does it, but his work ethic and obvious talent make it a pleasure to work with him."

While Quinones notched his first riding title, it was more business as usual in the trainer's standings as Jeff Radosevich collected yet another training title. For the Ohio-based Radosevich, there's little better than winning another training title on his longtime stomping grounds.

"I have great owners. Obviously, I couldn't have done any of this without their continued and unwavering support. I love Ohio. Mahoning Valley gives me an opportunity to race year-round from my home. Thank you Mahoning Valley!"

Mahoning Valley held its signature event—the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint—on Nov. 19 and the marquee race of the meet didn't disappoint as Trigger Warning survived an epic stretch duel and an objection to win the race over Bobby's Wicked One. Trained by Mike Rone, Trigger Warning was put on the lead early under Irwin Rosendo and then engaged in a fierce battle with the runner-up from the top of the stretch to the wire and was made the winner after Tyler Gaffalione's claim of foul was not allowed.  In the $75,000 Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Distaff on the Steel Valley Sprint undercard, the gray mare Puntsville was able to hold off a late charge from Lake Ponchatrain to score her 13th victory in 25 career outings.

While she did not take part in any of the unrestricted stakes Mahoning offered during the Fall Meet, Leona's Reward was tabbed the horse of the meet after dominating Ohio-breds in her three starts in restricted stakes events. Trained by Tim Hamm, Leona's Reward romped by eight-lengths over Ohio-bred fillies and mares in the Ohio Debutante Handicap on Nov. 3 and followed that up with a win against the boys in the Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial Stakes two weeks later. In her final start of the meet, the daughter of Parents' Reward returned to face fillies and mares in the Bobbie Bricker Memorial Handicap and again cruised to a seven-length score.  All told, Leona's Reward banked a total of $135,000 during the Fall Meet for her owners Blazing Meadows Farm and Michael Friedman.