Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: May 19

Rombauer won Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. Photo: Cynthia Longo

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: ROMBAUER. The second jewel of the Triple Crown, Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, went to Rombauer by 3 1/2 lengths in an 11-1 upset. You can read more about his victory here.
SECOND STAR: SOMELIKEITHOTBROWN. One race prior, Somelikeithotbrown won the Dinner Party Stakes, in an out-of-element win. Usually on the lead, Jose Ortiz rated him off the pace early, then angled him wide turning for home and took charge. He held on for a one-length win. Click here to read more about his win.
THIRD STAR: ARMY WIFE. On Friday, Army Wife prevailed in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. She won by 2 3/4 lengths, riding the rail and taking charge at the stretch. Check out more coverage of the race here.

FIRST STAR: SPEIGHTSFORD. Friday night’s feature race was a n/w2x allowance optional claiming race at seven furlongs. Favored Speightsford, shipping from Laurel Park, battled on the lead in the early stages with Air Token. In the stretch, Speightsford pulled clear, and won by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:25.80. Denis Araujo had the mount for owner Jeremiah Kane and trainer Ben Perkins Jr.
SECOND STAR: DOOR BUSTER. On Saturday night, Door Buster, who won the Its Binn Too Long Stakes in her prior start, handled a West Virginia-bred allowance field with ease. After dueling with pace-setters Mady Rose and Boundtobeok in the early stages, she shook clear of her competition turning for home, cruising to a three-length win. It took her 1:28.90 to travel seven furlongs, for her third consecutive win. She’s owned by Jay Reese, trained by Ollie Figgins III, and ridden by Denis Araujo.
THIRD STARS: JERRY ROBB AND XAVIER PEREZ. Usually a dominant pair in Maryland, trainer Robb and jockey Perez teamed up for three wins on Saturday’s card. They won three maiden races, taking race 2 with Little Bold Bandit, race 4 with Princess Kokachin, and race 6 with Subject to Change.

FIRST STAR: LOOKIN AT ROSES. The feature race of the week was Monday’s 10th race, a n/w2x allowance optional claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. In a long stretch battle, Lookin at Roses prevailed over Super Dude to win by a nose. The winner sat in fifth and last early on, and advanced three-wide in the stretch to challenge Super Dude, who enjoyed a great trip off a loose leader. Under vigorous urging from Mychel Sanchez, Lookin at Roses won the photo. The winner is owned by Travin Stables and trained by Guadalupe Preciado.
SECOND STAR: PRECIOUS. This John Servis-trained filly won a Pennsylvania-bred allowance optional claiming race by 1 1/2 lengths, covering seven furlongs in 1:22.88 in the process. After sitting fifth early on, she made a strong move to the front, drawing off in the stretch to win handily. She improved to 2-for-3 on the year with this victory. Frankie Pennington had the mount for owner Newell Thoroughbred.
THIRD STAR: RUBEN SILVERA. Silvera had another great afternoon last Tuesday, winning three races on the card. He won race 1 on Inspired Options, for trainer Scott Lake, the 6th race on Le Weekend for trainer Jamie Ness, and race 9 aboard Did I Stutter for Louis Linder. As of publication time, Silvera had 85 wins at the meet, good for a commanding advantage in the standings.