BLOCKBUSTER BREAKING: “Dragoon Guard Shocks the Derby!” — Mountaineer Crowd Stunned as Local Longshot Surges to Glory in 2025 West Virginia Classic

The 2025 West Virginia Derby delivered pure drama Saturday at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort, as hometown underdog Dragoon Guard stormed past the favorites and etched his name in the state’s racing lore. With Florent Geroux aboard, the chestnut colt powered to a thrilling upset victory, leaving fans both ecstatic and divided in the wake of one of the most unpredictable finishes in recent memory.

The heavily favored Blue Mountain King, expected by many to dominate the 1⅛-mile contest, faltered in the final stretch, opening the door for Dragoon Guard’s late charge. As Geroux raised his whip in triumph crossing the finish line, cheers erupted across the stands — but just as quickly, murmurs of controversy and questions about the beaten favorite rippled through the crowd.

Going off at odds of 18-1, Dragoon Guard was seen by many as a middle-of-the-pack contender at best. Trained by West Virginia’s own Carla St. James, the colt had shown flashes of promise in smaller stakes races, but few predicted a performance of this magnitude.

The race began in familiar fashion, with Blue Mountain King tracking closely behind the early pace-setter Fired Up Fred, while Dragoon Guard stayed back in seventh. But when the leaders began to tire at the top of the stretch, Dragoon Guard found another gear. Hugging the rail and bursting through an opening, he surged past rivals with surprising ease.

By the time Blue Mountain King attempted to respond, the damage was done. Dragoon Guard cruised under the wire by nearly two lengths, clocking a final time of 1:49.97, a respectable mark on the fast dirt track.

The crowd at Mountaineer was electric, but the post-race atmosphere quickly turned into a mix of jubilation and second-guessing. Longtime Blue Mountain King backers were stunned, many questioning whether the pre-race hype around the Kentucky-based colt had been overblown.

Social media ignited with heated debates about Blue Mountain King’s legacy. The three-time graded stakes winner was seen as a potential star, but after finishing a disappointing fourth, questions now swirl about his future.

For trainer Carla St. James, this victory was more than just a trophy — it was a statement. A native of Weirton, she’s spent years trying to prove that West Virginia-based operations can hold their own against the big-name Kentucky and California stables. Saturday’s result may finally cement her status as a top-tier trainer.

With the West Virginia Derby serving as a key summer stakes race for 3-year-olds, Dragoon Guard’s victory may open doors to bigger Grade 1 opportunities. Early chatter suggests he may now be considered for the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, or even the Pennsylvania Derby in September.