Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: May 11
Golden Key won Saturday’s Coin Collector Stakes at Charles Town. Photo: Coady Photography.
Plenty of racing action took place throughout the Mid-Atlantic this past week.
Here’s a look at the “three stars” of each track:
PIMLICO
- FIRST STAR: GALERIO. Galerio had a superb campaign last year, with eight wins from twelve starts. He got his first win of 2021 on Saturday, winning a n/w3x allowance optional claiming race by seven lengths. It was his first win for trainer Dale Bennett. He enjoyed a perfect trip, rating a length off early leader Money Ride while racing well clear of third place. As they rounded the final turn, Xavier Perez made his move, and Galerio drew alongside Money Ride. In the stretch, Galerio pulled clear and won easily, stopping the clock for 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.57 over a sloppy track. SAB Stable Inc is the winning owner.
- SECOND STAR: TRUNK OF MONEY. Friday’s feature, a n/w3x allowance optional claiming race at six furlongs on the dirt, went to Trunk of Money in a gate-to-wire win. She broke alertly, and was sent right to the lead by Alex Crispin. As she moved past the eighth pole, she was in front by three lengths. Although Dance and Dance surged late, the wire came in time for Trunk of Money, who won by half a length in 1:11.93 over a fast track. That was her first win of the year from four starts, and her seventh lifetime victory. He’s owned by Richard Malouf and trained by Scott Lake.
- THIRD STAR: HYDRA. Thursday’s featured event also featured a field of filly and mare sprinters, in a race that was washed off the grass and moved to dirt. Hydra rated three-wide off the pace, moved to the front entering the stretch, and drew off for a 1 1/2-length win. The five furlongs were covered in 58.23 seconds over a fast track. Charlie Marquez had the mount for owner Gene Gould Jr and trainer Jerry Robb.
CHARLES TOWN RACES
- FIRST STAR: GOLDEN KEY. Saturday’s feature was the Coin Collector Stakes, for 3-year-old West Virginia-breds at 4 1/2 furlongs. Golden Key, the 2.20-1 second choice, outhustled them all to the lead from post position eight, and had a clear advantage in the opening eighth. Although 1.50-1 favorite Social Chic took a bold run at him in the stretch, the wire came in time for Golden Key, who won by a neck in 52.36 seconds. He’s now won three times from five career starts, with earnings of more than $86,500. Ronney Brown is the winning owner and trainer; Luis Batista was the winning jockey.
- SECOND STAR: MUAD’DIB. The little brother of West Virginia-bred multiple graded stakes winner Late Night Pow Wow improved to a perfect 5-for-5 lifetime on Friday night, beating an allowance field by 3 3/4 lengths as the 0.40-1 favorite. He enjoyed a perfect trip, rating two-ide off the pace, then taking charge around the final turn and drawing off impressively. He covered seven furlongs in 1:27.31, for owner David Raim, trainer Jeff Runco, and jockey Arnaldo Bocachica.
- THIRD STAR: ARNALDO BOCACHICA. As usual, Bocachica had the most wins among all Charles Town jockeys this past week, with five wins. He teamed up with Jeff Runco on three winners, including Muad’dib, and swept the early double on Saturday night with a pair of Anthony Farrior-trained horses. Bocachica’s 96 wins remain far and away the most of any Charls Town jockey.
PARX RACING
- FIRST STAR: WENTZ. An open allowance sprint headlined Wednesday’s card, and it was won by an impressive Pennsylvania-based gelding, in Wentz. He sat right off the pace early on, then pounced three-wide as they moved onto the final turn. In the stretch, he drew off under Ruben Silvera, crossing the wire 6 1/4 lengths in front. He covered seven furlongs over a sloppy track in 1:22.34, for his third win in a row. He’s owned by Morris Kernan Jr and Jagger Inc and trained by Jamie Ness.
- SECOND STAR: MOUNT TRAVERS. In the race before, Mount Travers came from last to win a n/w2x allowance optional claiming race by a length. He was just five lengths off the lead in the first quarter, but just five lengths off the lead. With a wide bid in the stretch, he chased down the leaders and got clear late, covering seven furlongs in 1:23.12. Angel Castillo had the winning mount for owner Alpha Delta Stable LLC and trainer Linda Rice.
- THIRD STAR: SLINGIN SAMMY B. On Tuesday afternoon, this 5-year-old mare won her third race in a row, as she took a starter allowance contest as the overwhelming 0.30-1 favorite. She held steady on the lead while encountering mild pressure, and pulled clear late to win by 3 1/2 lengths under Mychel Sanchez. The 1 1/16 miles was covered in 1:45.13. She’s owned by John Fanelli and trained by Joseph Taylor.
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