Mid-Atlantic racing roundup, November 13

My Star Potential won at first asking for trainer Claudio Gonzalez in 2018 and earned a win this past weekend. Photo by The Racing Biz.

Plenty of racing action took place throughout the Mid-Atlantic this past week.

Here’s your five-minute read to get caught up on all of it:

LAUREL PARK

• Grade 2 Honorable Miss Stakes winner Minit to Stardom dominated an open allowance on Friday. The 3-5 favorite got a perfect trip rating off a speed duel, then pounced on the turn and drew away to a professional 3 ¾-length win, stopping the clock in 1:10.19 for six furlongs. The Jose Camejo-trained filly was coming off a runner-up finish in the Gallant Bloom Stakes at Belmont Park last out.
• The holiday Monday card was highlighted by the biggest winner of the fall meet so far, as Life in Flash won the third race by 22 lengths. Sent off at 2-5, she got an excellent trip rating off the pace on the inside. On the far turn, Life in Flash found a hole, rushed through to the lead, and blew away the competition. While the winner paid an unremarkable $2.80 to win, 91/1 Go Willow Go got up for second, completing a respectable exacta of $38.90 for $1.
• Jefazo won his second race in a row in Saturday’s feature race, a n/w2x allowance going a mile. Just like in his prior win at the level, he grinded his way to victory. Eighth in the early going, he made a six-wide rally turning for home, and drew alongside leaders Tattooed and Hanalei’s Houdini in the final eighth. Jefazo got up to win by ¾ of a length, prevailing as the 2/1 favorite. He’s owned by James Wolf, trained by Kieron Magee, and was ridden by Alex Cintron.
• My Star Potential, the winner of last year’s Maryland Million Lassie, made the second start of her sophomore campaign on Sunday. It was a winning effort, as she cruised to a four-length win in a n/w1x allowance. That was her first victory since her Lassie win last year. Kevin Gomez rode the winner for trainer Claudio Gonzalez.
• Sheldon Russell had only two wins on the week, but he remains in front in the jockey standings, with 26 wins. Alex Cintron moved into a tie with Trevor McCarthy for second place, at 22 wins each.
• Claudio Gonzalez had back-to-back training doubles on Sunday and Monday, expanding his meet total to 23. He’s seven wins clear of second-place Mike Trombetta.

CHARLES TOWN RACES

PARX RACING

• Won and Done picked up another win in Tuesday’s feature, winning for the third time in his last four starts. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the n/w2x allowance, he rated three-wide off the lead, then took charge on the turn and drew off to a 2 ¾ length win. He went six furlongs in 1:11.71 for owner David Gruskos, trainer Claudio Gonzalez, and jockey Alex Cintron.
• It got nerve-wracking late, but Dancing Bull held on to win his second race in a row in Monday’s feature. He opened up a big lead in a Pennsylvania-bred allowance, and led by four lengths in the last eighth of a mile. However, Red Razzo came flying up the rail late, resulting in a photo finish. The photo determined that Dancing Bull held on to win by a nose for trainer Dee Curry and Freedom Racing LLC. Mychel Sanchez was in the irons..
• Joseph Taylor won four races this week, including back-to-back victories on Tuesday’s card. This gives him a meet-leading 87 triumphs.
• Frankie Pennington and Mychel Sanchez are tied for the jockey race lead, each winning 126 races so far. They’re well in front of third-place Angel Rodriguez, who has 82 wins.

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