Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: AIR TOKEN. Last year’s Maryland Million Sprint champion made his 2022 debut a winning one last Friday, when he won a n/w3x allowance optional claiming race by five lengths. He enjoyed a good trip off the pace on the inside, rating off the lead and kicking clear in the stretch, covering six furlongs in 1:11.45. He ran a career-best Equibase speed figure in that race, with a 111. He’s owned and trained by Jose Corrales and ridden by Victor Carrasco.

SECOND STAR: TORCH OF TRUTH. One race later, Torch of Truth, also a Maryland-bred, won a n/w3x allowance optional claiming race by 3/4 of a length in an upset. Third choice Gentleman Joe set the pace, while odds-on choice Plot the Dots rated right off him. Plot the Dots flattened out and finished off the board, while Torch of Truth took advantage and wore down the leader in the final stages of the 1 1/16-mile contest. The 5-2 shot is owned by Marie Trombetta and trained by Mike Trombetta; Carrasco was also in the saddle for this one.

THIRD STAR: JOE. On Sunday, Joe, who won the Maryland Juvenile Championship in his final start of 2021, took a n/w1x allowance optional claiming race in his 2022 debut. There was little doubt about the outcome before the race, as he was sent off as the 2-5 favorite. He split horses on the turn and drew off to win handily by 2 1/2 lengths, going 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.66. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in stakes company next out. Trombetta and Carrasco once again teamed up for the win; this one for the Elkstone Group LLC.

Charles Town Races

Live racing at Charles Town was cancelled last week due to weather and track conditions.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: MILTON THE MONSTER. Last Monday, Milton the Monster made his presence felt on the Parx sprint scene in a big way. Sent off as the very slight 3-1 favorite in a seven-furlong n/w2x allowance optional claiming race, he crushed the field in a 12 3/4-lenght romp. He sat the trip off a duel, moved powerfully to the lead, and cruised under the wire under Frankie Pennington. He’s won three times from twelve lifetime starts, with earnings of more than $122,000. He’s owned by Robert Brittingham, James Wasserson, and Louis Bissio Jr, and trained by John Servis.

SECOND STAR: SILVESTRE GONZALEZ. Gonzalez won three races on last Tuesday’s card. He started the day a winner, taking race 1 on first-timer Battle of Berlin for trainer Robert Mosco. He went back-to-back in races 8 and 9, winning with Unimpeachable for trainer Kathleen Demasi and Noneedtoworry for trainer Herold Whylie, respectively.

THIRD STAR:COLONEL JUAN. This Pennsylvania-bred veteran made his 8-year-old debut a winning one last Wednesday when he won a starter optional claiming race by 2 1/2 lengths. Sent off at 10-1, he took control as they entered the stretch of the one mile and 70 yard contest, and pulled clear for the surprise win. He’s won nine times from 46 career races, with earnings of more than $329,000. Guadalupe Guerrero trains and co-owns with Elmer Orantes. Luis Rivera was in the saddle.

Region’s Best

1. Milton the Monster — Huge effort in dozen-length win
2. Air Token
3. Silvestre Gonzalez