WASHINGTON CROSSING STAKES

The 2022 season is already shaping up to be a better one than last year for veteran Bird King, as he drew away in the final furlong to kick off the season in style. After a 1-for-11 2021, the five-year-old Tiznow gelding now owns four career wins and nearly $220,000 in earnings.

How it happened: Bird King saved ground several lengths off the pace during the opening three-quarters of a mile before angling out under jockey Angel Castillo and powering to victory. He paid $7.60 to win as the second choice in the field of eight.

The favorite: Dreams Untold pressed the pace and took the lead into the stretch, and was willing but no match for the winner while holding the place.

Notable: Brooklyn Strong, winner of the 2020 Grade 2 Remsen and 15^th in the following year’s Kentucky Derby, was last throughout in his first start of 2022. He was nearly 40 lengths behind the winner, and it was the fourth consecutive race in which he was beaten double digits.

PENN’S LANDING STAKES

How it happened: Hey Mamaluke led throughout to post a two-length score in this 6 ½-furlong contest. Under jockey Andy Hernandez, she set solid early fractions and had enough in reserve to earn her second consecutive victory. She now has nine career wins and nearly $475,000 in earnings. She paid $12.60 to win.

The favorite: Jakarta gave Glass Ceiling all she wanted in the G3 Barbara Fritchie last out but had no answers for Hey Mamaluke, settling for second, a half-length ahead of Glory Dia.

Notable: Hey Mamaluke’s two straight wins have both come with bug rider Andy Hernandez in the irons. The win in this event was the five-pound apprentice’s first career stakes victory.

FISHTOWN STAKES

How it happened: Ultra-speedy Hollywood Jet sped to the early lead, repelled a mid-race test from Uncle Ernie, and held off the late run of G3 General George show horse Sir Alfred James to win by a half-length for his fifth consecutive victory and first career stakes win. Regular pilot Luis Ocasio did the honors.

The favorite: Hollywood Jet was the 7-5 chalk and paid $4.80 to win. Second-choice Uncle Ernie held on to finish third.

Notable: Claimed by owner-trainer Carlos Milian last March for $25,000, Hollywood Jet has since won six of nine starts while earning most of his $185,000 bankroll. It was the Uncaptured gelding’s first stakes win.

PARX STAKES WINNERS

• Bird King (KY), ridden by A Castillo and trained by M V Pino won the WASHINGTON CROSSING
• Hey Mamaluke (PA), ridden by A Hernandez and trained by P Farro won the PENN’S LANDING
• Hollywood Jet (FL), ridden by L M Ocasio and trained by C J Milian won the FISHTOWN