Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: J.D. ACOSTA. One of the veterans of the mid-Atlantic racing scene, Acosta achieved a major career milestone on Thursday, when he won his 3,500th career race. He rode Acadian Girl to victory in an impressive gate-to-wire win. Acosta started riding in the mainland United States in 2002, and has ridden in more than 22,000 races while earning more than $75 million.

SECOND STAR: BORRACHO. Friday’s feature was an exciting n/w3x allowance optional claiming sprint at six furlongs. Borracho, sent off as the 6-5 second choice, quickly zoomed to the front and opened up a lead he would never give up. He won by 6 1/4 lengths, covering the distance over a fast track in 1:10.43. He earned a lifetime-top Equibase mark of 108 in that race. He’s owned by Morris Kernan Jr and Jagger Inc, trained by Jamie Ness, and ridden by Jaime Rodriguez.

THIRD STAR: PROPER ATTIRE. Thursday’s feature, a n/w2x allowance optional claiming contes for fillies and mares, was also won in gate-to-wire style. Proper Attire, a Maryland-bred 4-year-old filly, won her second consecutive race, breaking on top and cruising to a commanding lead int the stretch. Despite racing erratically in the lane, she held on to win by three lengths. Fraudulent Charge went off as the 1-5 favorite, but tired from chasing Proper Attire and finished fourth in the five-horse field. Jagger Inc, Ness, and Rodriguez also teamed up on this winner.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: ARNALDO BOCACHICA. Bocachica had a perfect night on Saturday, with four winners from four mounts. He won a pair for Anthony Farrior, taking race 4 on Out of Romance and race 6 aboard Quick Entry. He started his night a winner, taking race 3 aboard Ralph Comi Jr trainee Aadhana, and capped off his night taking race 7 on Cairo Calling, trained by Jeff Runco. Bocachica has won 27 races from 67 mounts so far, for a strike rate of a remarkable 40%.

SECOND STAR: SHE’S DANCING. Later on Saturday’s card, a field of seven 3-year-old fillies lined up in a first-level allowance race going seven furlongs. Odds-on choice Boundtobebad and 5-2 second favorite She’s Dancing got all the wagering action. She’s Dancing got the job done, rating off the pace early and moving three-wide to win by 2 1/2 lengths. She improved to 2-for-4 lifetime with that score. Darius Thorpe was in the saddle for owner Maria Montez Haire and trainer Flint Stites.

THIRD STAR: COWBOY AT HEART. A non-winners of two allowance field lined up in Friday’s feature. The 4 1/2 furlong dash went to Cowboy at Heart, for his second career win. He rated on the lead on the inside, then emerged clear in the stretch and pulled clear to win by 2 1/4 lengths, covering the distance in 52.36 seconds. He’s owned by Brian Griffin, trained by Timothy Grams, and ridden by Christian Hiraldo.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: HOLLYWOOD JET. This Carlos Millan owned and trained 4-year-old ended his 2021 campaign on a strong note, with three consecutive victories. He made it four in a row last Monday, as he won a starter optional claiming race by 6 1/2 lengths in gate-to-wire style. The 4-5 favorite covered six furlongs in 1:10.39 over a muddy track, with Luis Ocasio in the saddle.

SECOND STAR: RUBEN SILVERA. Silvera turned hat tricks on back-to-back days last week. He won three races on Tuesday, sweeping the early double with Majestic Sky and Nautical Gem, then taking race 8 aboard Owen’s Pleasure. He won a pair for Jamie Ness on Wednesday, taking race 6 on Miss Dillingham and race 9 aboard Peyton Elizabeth. His race 8 win on Peyton Elizabeth capped off the hat trick. Silvera’s 20 wins from 110 mounts give him the edge in the rider standings so far.

THIRD STAR: SILIPO. The Wednesday feature was a n/w1x allowance optional claiming race for 3-year-olds at six furlongs. Silipo, sent off at 7-2, came from last to win by 3 1/4 lengths going away. After sitting in last place early on, he charged hard in the stretch and wolfed down Kenner, who set fast early fractions and held on for second. The winner is owned by Our Sugar Bear Stable LLC, trained by Jordan Bullock, and ridden by Luis Rivera.

Region’s Best

1. J.D Acosta- Achieved major career milestone last week.
2. Borracho
3. Hollywood Jet