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
- Charles Town began a string of four-night race weeks, with Wednesdays added on to the calendar. That will continue through the end of the season, December 21.
- Last Print pulled off the upset in an open 6 ½-furlong West Virginia-bred allowance on Saturday, winning at 13/1. Dr. Feelgood, winner of the 4 ½-furlong WV Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic, was sent off as the 3-5 favorite and had a clear lead leaving the furlong grounds. However, he stopped badly, flattening out to finish last. Last Print, who rated in third early on, came on to pick up the pieces and win by a length over Aaron’s Tap. The winner is owned and trained by Javier Contreras and was ridden by Carlos Delgado.
- Penguin Power won his third stake in a row on Saturday night, taking the A Huevo Stakes by 1 ½ lengths. He battled with Opera Night in the early stages of the 1 ⅛-mile affair, but pulled away on the final turn, and crossed the wire well in front. He stopped the clock in 1:55.36 for owner David Raim, trainer Jeff Runco, and jockey Arnaldo Bocachica.
- Bocachica (152 wins) and Runco (108 victories) remain well out in front in the jockey and trainer standings, respectively.
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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