Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: November 10

Mike Trombetta won his 2,000th race at Laurel Park last Thursday.

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

Here’s a look at the “three stars” of each track:

LAUREL PARK

• FIRST STAR: MIKE TROMBETTA. One of the training veterans of the mid-Atlantic circuit, Trombetta achieved a major career milestone on Thursday with his 2,000th victory. He entered two horses in the eighth race, a n/w1x allowance optional claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on dirt: Mr. Jefferson and Bold Leader. Mr. Jefferson came from last to win by 1 1/2 lengths, while Bold Leader completed the exacta. Mr. Jefferson is owned by Larry Johnson and ridden by Mychel Sanchez. Trombetta won his first race in 1989, and has since won numerous graded stakes races with career earnings of more than $65 million. 
• SECOND STAR: BUSTOFF. Saturday’s feature was a competitive n/w2x allowance optional claiming race between Bustoff and Galerio. Galerio was the 4-5 favorite, while Bustoff, coming off a win in a starter optional claiming race, was the 5-2 second choice. Bustoff rated off longshot leader Lord Winsalot, and made a move when that leader tired. In the stretch, Bustoff took command and held off Galerio late to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:43.52 over a fast track. The winning gelding, a 6-year-old Maryland-bred, is owned by Sola Dei Gloria Stable, trained by Hugh McMahon, and was ridden by Charlie Marquez. 
•  THIRD STAR: KISS THE GIRL. The Sunday feature was a n/w2x allowance optional claiming contest for fillies and mares, featuring a field of seven at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. Kiss the Girl won her third race of the year, scoring as the 6-5 favorite by 4 3/4 lengths. She stalked the early leader, Foggy Dreams, then made her move  three-wide on the turn and powered away to an impressive score. She went the distance in 1:51.72 over a fast track. Trombetta picked up his 2,002nd winner in this race, for owner Three Diamonds Farm with jockey Feargal Lynch.

CHARLES TOWN RACES

 PARX RACING

• FIRST STAR: HOPEFUL TREASURE. Admiral Abe, who has enjoyed plenty of success at Parx this year, was the favorite in last Tuesday’s feature, an open allowance at six furlongs. After showing brief speed, he backed up and was well-beaten, setting the race up for a surprise. Hopeful Treasure obliged at 9-1, getting by Final Shot in the last eighth for a one-length victory. This Michael Catalano-trained ridgling has now won twice on the year from five starts. He’s owned by Just in Time Racing LLC and trained by Mychel Sanchez.
• SECOND STAR: JAMIE NESS. Parx’s leading trainer had a perfect day last Wednesday, with three winners from three starters. He teamed up with Ruben Silvera twice, winning race 7 with Miss Dillingham and race 10 with Dilly Dilly Philly. Frankie Pennington guided American Unity home in race 6. 
• THIRD STAR: DEXTER HADDOCK. Haddock started his November on a strong note, with a three-win day last Monday. He rode Brazen to an 11-1 upset win in race 5, for trainer Ralph Riviezzo. He then took race 8 on another 11-1 shot, Piggybank, for trainer Miguel Penaloza. In race 9, he capped off the hat trick with another upset winner, 21-1 Successful Cure, trained by Ernesto Padilla-Preciado. 

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