Mountaineer Picks & Predictions — July 20, 2026

Button Box rates third in the field at 77.96 and owns the top average speed figure in the race at 56 — that raw speed edge on the turf at seven furlongs is a meaningful angle, especially if the pace sets up honestly. Trainer Crystal Richison sends him out at 5/1, making him a value proposition for bettors who want upside in the place spot. Kevin Gonzalez takes the ride, and if Button Box gets an uncontested trip near the front, this could easily be a win.

Hotline Blink is our show pick and the most interesting speed figure horse in the race — an average speed figure of 57 is tops in this field by a full point. Bailey Weatherly picks up the mount for trainer Christi Lynn Esposito, and at 15/1 on the morning line, there's real overlay potential. A 17% career win rate keeps expectations grounded, but in turf sprints, raw speed often translates more directly than in route races, and Hotline Blink belongs on your trifecta tickets.

Lord Ante is our place pick at double-digit morning line odds of 10/1 — that's the TrackWiz value angle for this race. He carries a 72.64 rating with a strong 25% career win rate and posts an average speed figure of 55, which puts him second in the field. Trainer Shane Meyers has him ready with Alexander Chavez up, and if Vroysky gets any traffic at all in a ten-horse turf sprint, Lord Ante is positioned to capitalize.

Kool Kathmandu makes the show ticket at 4/1 morning line with a solid 66.78 rating and an impressive 27% career win rate — matching Yes I Am Free for the highest among the mid-tier horses. Ricardo Barrios gets the mount for trainer Wilson C. Langley, and his average speed figure of 55 keeps him competitive with the top group. He's the kind of dependable claimer who runs his race every time and gives exotic players reliable depth.

Scoot Along is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 and rates second in the field at 74.27 — the public isn't wrong to make her the chalk. Luis Alberto Batista gets the mount for Eddie Clouston, who as noted has Hello Sweets in this same race, giving the barn a powerful two-pronged attack. At 15% career win rate, Scoot Along converts at a modest clip, but her recent form has clearly impressed connections enough to send her out as the favorite.

Save the Flag is an interesting show option at 10/1 with a 71.02 rating — third-best in the field by our numbers. Trainer Jeff W. Zook sends her out with Francisco Garcia up, and a 12% career win rate in a field this size isn't alarming. The avg speed of 52 puts her right in the cluster of the main contenders, and at the morning-line price, she's a legitimate trifecta player for bettors who want three horses in the top half of the ratings at competitive prices.

Divine Martha rates third at 72.85 with a 24% career win rate, and trainer Jay P. Bernardini has her at 3/1 on the morning line — a price that implies his confidence. Brandon Tapara gets the mount, and with Scream Machine potentially controlling the pace, a horse like Divine Martha that can stalk and pounce from the two-path should be in a nice spot late. Her rating is separated from Scream Machine by nearly 14 points, but the place payoff could be worthwhile given the implied pace setup.

Lil But Delicious slots in third on our ratings at 72.21 and owns an eye-catching 35% career win rate — same as Scream Machine. Trainer Frank Gerich sends her out at 5/1 with Kevin Gonzalez up, and in a sprint this short where traffic is minimal, a horse that wins a third of her races belongs in your trifecta. She's separated from Divine Martha by less than a single rating point, making the show spot a coin flip between those two.

Abundant Energy is the most statistically impressive horse in this race — a 58% career win rate is extraordinary, and his 86.98 rating is within a fraction of our win pick's 87.08. Trainer Eddie Clouston clearly has this horse live, sending him out at 2/1 as the morning-line favorite with Luis Alberto Batista up. The tight rating gap between the two Clouston horses is the headline of this race — if pace develops honestly, Abundant Energy's conversion rate says he should absolutely be involved.

Zealous Storm rounds out the ticket at 82.10 with a 30% career win rate — both figures rank third in a seven-horse field and are well clear of the horses below. Trainer Jami C. Poole sends Elijah Greenidge up at 4/1, and in a race where the top two are so closely matched, Zealous Storm is the logical beneficiary if either of the Clouston horses encounters trouble. The 30% win rate in starter allowance company is genuinely strong and gives exotic players a reliable third wheel.

Whisky Reserve rates second in a massive field at 80.43 and draws Deshawn L. Parker in the irons for trainer Juan Carlos Gotera — a capable combination at a price (7/2) that's fair given the field size. With a 5% career win rate, he's clearly a horse that's been running against tough company without much luck, but his rating suggests he's been competitive. In a field this big, the place pool often offers more value than the win, making Whisky Reserve a smart investment.

Raji is our show selection at 8/1 on the morning line — a rating of 78.21 is third-best in this fourteen-horse sprint, and Andrew Ramgeet rides for trainer Tina Ramgeet in what looks like a family operation with something to prove. The 8% career win rate is modest, but an average speed figure of 54 keeps him in the competitive cluster at the top of this field. In a fourteen-horse sprint where traffic can eliminate half the field early, a horse with his rating at 8/1 is a legitimate trifecta play.