How to bet the 2025 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes

A deep field of 12 three-year-olds will jaunt six panels on the Mahoning Valley dirt in Monday’s $300,000 Steel Valley Sprint S. The finale on a major day of racing at the venue lacks a standout, making it a really good spot to search for value. 

Steel Valley Wagers

• $8 win/place/show #12 Faster Gator ($24)
• 10-cent superfecta 3,12 with 3,10,11,12 with all 3,10,11,12 with all ($10.80)
• 10-cent superfecta 3,12 with 3,10,11,12 with all with 3,10,11,12 ($10.80)

#12 Faster Gator (12-1) has flashed a lot of ability on numerous occasions this campaign and comes off a sharp allowance win on the oval. Trained by Anthony Farrior, the Vekoma colt has yet to break through with a black-type triumph but has run well in a few difficult assignments, and I like that he got in a run over the course most recently. The speedy sort draws outside of the other pace in the group, which could be advantageous to him and pilot Jevian Toledo. 

With an abundance of early types in the field, Cherie DeVaux’s #3 Retribution (5-1) could sit a fine voyage from off the swift tempo. Also by Vekoma, the two-time stakes winner ran an even fifth behind a wire-to-wire victor in the Gallant Bob S. (G2) in his latest appearance and will get a more favorable set up on Monday. The Kentucky-bred bay recorded a pair of nice half-mile drills of late and would not surprise while making his first run on the grounds. Jose Ortiz will take the $87,000 yearling purchase back early and make one run in the lane atop the sophomore. 

Jose D’Angelo’s #11 Guns Loaded (3-1) returned off a six-month layoff in an allowance heat at Churchill Downs last time out and dominated his foes in a fairly swift time. By Gun Runner, the $800,000 yearling purchase bagged the Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream Park in January prior to finishing unplaced in his two subsequent tries, but the well-bred colt appears to have come back in very good order. The dark bay displayed the ability to win from off the pace in his recent tally, and that running style might play well in this endeavor, as well. He has posted bullet morning moves in three of his last four works and will retain the services of Florent Geroux. 

#10 Keep It Easy (10-1), one of two in the field for Dale Romans, is not consistent but he can be quite good on his best day. The 2024 Eddie Brown S. victor came home a close second in a solid allowance race at Keeneland last time out despite an imperfect trip, and improvement off of that run will put him in the mix for a piece of the pie at good odds. Corey Lanerie will take the reins.