the country with as many as 217 racing dates scheduled in year 2012. The Mountaineer live racing season had consisted of 4 to 5 nights per week, starting as early as March and ending as late as December. This had been reduced to 130 racing dates, running May through November by 2019 The track had been able to offer purses much higher than those in neighboring states and attracted larger field and the products of such a higher parimutuel handle and better attendance. Over the past decade, competition from surrounding states increased, and purses have reduced. Mountaineer hosts the West Virginia Derby, a Grade III race that had significantly grown in stature and purse in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s to a Grade II race, but has also had its purse reduced and reverted to a Grade III race in recent years. The first Saturday in August traditionally has been the day the Derby takes place, and is the only day of the calendar that the track offers afternoon racing. Otherwise, the races are run at 7pm. Mountaineer had previously been considered as a possible host for the 2009 Breeders' Cup, but it was awarded to Santa Anita. The track runs many stakes and overnight handicaps. Here, in order, are the stakes that ran at Mountaineer in 2005: Graded events The following Graded events were held at Mountaineer Racetrack in 2019. Grade III West Virginia Derby West Virginia Governor's Stakes Stakes events Coca-Cola Independence Day Stakes Firecracker Stakes Mountain State Stakes Harvey Arneault Memorial Breeders' Cup Stakes West Virginia Senate President's Breeders' Cup West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker's Cup West Virginia Legislature Chairman's Cup West Virginia Secretary of State Mountaineer Juvenile Stakes Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies Stakes Fall Stakes Autumn Leaves Stakes Mountaineer Mile Handicap Sophomore Sprint Championship Stakes See also List of casinos in West Virginia List of casino hotels References External links Event venues on the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia Horse racing venues in West Virginia Buildings and structures in Hancock County, West Virginia Tourist attractions in Hancock County, West Virginia Casinos in West Virginia Sports venues in West Virginia National Register of Historic Places in Hancock County, West Virginia Sports venues on the National Register of Historic Places 1951 establishments in West Virginia Sports venues completed in 1951 Casinos completed in 1994