One of the two thoroughbred racetracks in West Virginia has officially started its racing season, and there’s a lot to look forward to on the calendar in 2023.
Mountaineer Racetrack & Resort in Chester, West Virginia, which is home to a full-service hotel, casino, Caesars sportsbook, championship golf course, and world-class entertainment, began its racing schedule on April 30. Races will take place at least three evenings per week until December 13. The track will add a fourth evening race each week starting in mid-June.
There are 124 race days scheduled for the year, including the state’s premier horse racing event: West Virginia Derby Day.
Racing during Mountaineer happens to be Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings
Horse racing fans in the state have several options to place bets on the horses. West Virginia horse betting includes live thoroughbred racing and simulcast racing from around the country. Players can place bets at the racetracks and various off-track betting sites, as well as through online horse betting apps from anywhere else in West Virginia.
Live racing at Mountaineer Racetrack is currently taking place every Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evening at 7 PM. Thursday racing will also be added starting from June 21.
Additionally, there is regular simulcast viewing on big-screen TVs in one of two off-track betting areas at the casino, available every week. And let’s not forget the full resort with various other entertainment options on dark days at the track.
West Las vegas Derby Moment is now the initial Sunday that kicks off in august
For the first time, West Virginia Derby Day will be moving to a Sunday. Organizers hope to generate more attention for West Virginia’s biggest horse racing event, which will take place on August 6th.
Sean Colvin, the Racing Director at Mountaineer, explained that the move to Sunday was made to increase participation and avoid overlapping with Grade 1 races at other tracks that usually take place on Saturdays.
The highlight of the premier racing day at Mountaineer is the 9-furlong Grade 3 West Virginia Derby for 3-year-olds. This race consistently attracts top-quality contenders and offers a half-a-million-dollar purse, making it one of the richest races in West Virginia. The 2022 winner, Skippylongstocking, earned $308,000 in betting and was a contender in two legs of the 2022 Triple Crown.
Additionally, West Virginia Derby Day features another Grade 3 race earlier in the day, the $100,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth.
Derby Day will be the only day when the first post of the day is scheduled for 5 PM.
Takeout rates by Mountaineer Racetrack available to anyone
Mountaineer Racetrack is transparent about its takeout rates for all types of bets in horse racing.
The takeout rate for win, place, and show bets is 18.25%.
For exactas and daily double wagers, the takeout rate is 19%.
All other bets, including trifectas, superfectas, super fives, pick-3s, pick-4s, and pick-5s, have a takeout rate of 25%.
Things to do by Mountaineer in addition to betting relating to the horses
The Mountaineer Hotel is open from 8 a.m. until 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until midnight on Fridays, and 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
In addition to live horse races, there is plenty of entertainment available at the hotel.
Mountaineer Traditional casino
The hottest gambling destination in the state, Mountaineer Casino is located on the Ohio River and offers over 25 table games, 1,000 slot machines, and nearly 85,000 square feet of entertainment.
The casino opens every day at 10 a.m. and closes at 2 a.m. during the week, and at 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Caesars Sportsbook
The sportsbook at Mountaineer is open during the week from 1:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., and from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the weekends.
Additionally, the sportsbook can be accessed online through the Caesars WV Sportsbook app.
With its convenience and transparency, Mountaineer’s Caesars Sportsbook offers bets on all major sports and various bet types.
Leisure
Mountaineer’s event venue, The Ballroom, provides live music, drinks, and dancing, and is open from 8 p.m. until midnight. Guests can enjoy piano performances on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as acoustic performances in the outdoor courtyard, weather permitting.
Furthermore, the hotel features an 18-hole championship golf course called Woodview Golf. Reservations are required for tee times.
Cusine
Mountaineer offers a variety of dining options to cater to everyone’s tastes.
Whether you’re looking for an upscale dining experience at LBV Steakhouse or a more casual setting at Big Al’s or Mahogany Sports Bar, you can find the food you’re craving.
Sam is a native New Yorker with a long history of gambling, enjoying sports, and owning racehorses. He also enjoys frequenting casinos and visiting various sporting venues, from the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to local baseball games. Regardless of the level of play or distance, Sam has a passion for attending any sporting event or horse racing venue. In addition to his recreational interests, Sam is a marketing executive, a father, and a dog owner, and he approaches life with enthusiasm and a love for exploration.
