Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: PRINCESS KOKACHIN. Sunday’s feature was an open allowance which attracted many of the region’s top filly and mare sprinters. Princess Kokachin, off an impressive allowance win in her last start, went off at 6/5, while Willa on the Move Stakes winner Kaylasaurus was the 4/5 favorite in the five-horse field. Breaking from the outside post, Princess Kokachin pressed Dontletsweetfoolya early on. Entering the stretch, she took the lead, and held off Kaylasaurus’s late rally to win by three-quarters of a length. She’s now won ten times from sixteen starts lifetime, with earnings of more than $355,000. She’s owned by Eric Rizer, trained by Jerry Robb, and ridden by Xaiver Perez.

SECOND STAR: MONEY RIDE. Earlier on the Sunday card, Money Ride drew off to win a second-level allowance optional claiming race by 3 3/4 lengths. He rated off Benandjoe in the early stages of the 1 1/16-mile contest, and took the lead just after the half-mile point. By the time they turned for home, Money Ride was well-clear of the others, and there was no doubt about his victory. He’s now won two races in a row, having won a starter optional claiming race in his prior effort. He went the distance over a fast track in 1:44.35, for owner Danny Chen, trainer Claudio Gonzalez, and jockey Angel Cruz.

THIRD STAR: JEAN ALVELO. One of the newest faces on the Maryland riding scene, Alvelo had a big day last Friday, winning three races. He won race 2 on Imagine the Mojo, for trainer Mike Trombetta, race 4 on Ferris Allen trainee Just Pick One, and race 7 on Low Country Dude, trained by Hamilton Smith. Alvelo had moved into a tie for second in the rider standings, with 23 wins, the same total as Victor Carrasco’s. Jevina Toledo, with 34 wins, has a big lead in the standings.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: KING NEKIA. This 6-year-old gelding came into a starter allowance race Friday night in search of his fourth straight win. Sent off as the slight 5-2 favorite, he obliged his backers with a come-from-behind two-length win under Victor Rodriguez, going seven furlongs in 1:27.71. He’s already won three times from four starts this year, just one win away from matching his total for all of 2021. He’s owned by A and B Racing Stable LLC and trained by Wade Sanderson.

SECOND STAR: FIBER AND EMILY. Despite riding a two-race winning streak heading into his race on Friday night, a seven-furlong allowance affair, Fiber and Emily went off at 9-1. He rewarded those who had faith in him, as he won by a half-length in a gate-to-wire effort. This is easily the longest winning streak of this seven-year-old West Virginia bred’s career, and has pushed his earnings over $221,000. Rodriguez also rode this winner, for owner/trainer William Atkins.

THIRD STAR: VICTOR RODRIGUEZ. He had a big night on Friday. In addition to his aforementioned winners, he won race 8 aboard Miss Grasshopper, for trainer Kevin Joy, capping off a hat trick. He’s now won 11 races on the year from 89 mounts.

Parx Racing

FIRST STARS: JAMIE NESS AND RUBEN SILVERA. Parx’s leading trainer and jockey, respectively, both had days to remember last Wednesday. They both won six races on the 11-race program. They teamed up on five of those winners, taking race 1 on Elusive Amelia, race 2 with Kid d’Oro, race 3 with World Gone Wild, race 7 with Grit’n’grind, and the 9th race with Exit Right. Ness also won race 6 with Divine Miracle, ridden by Frankie Pennington. Silvera won the 11th race aboard Mamaigotthis, trained by John Rodriguez.

SECOND STAR: HOLLYWOOD JET. Parx hosted three stakes races last Monday, including the Fishtown Stakes for older sprinters. 7-5 favorite Hollywood Jet won his fifth race in a row, setting the early pace and holding off Sir Alfred James to win by a half-length in 1:10.14 for six furlongs. This was his first career stakes win, for owner/trainer Carlos Millian and jockey Luis Ocasio.

THIRD STAR: BIRD KING. Earlier on the Monday card, Bird KIng won the 1 1/16-mile Washington Crossing Stakes by four lengths in an impressive performance. He rated off the pace on the inside most of the way, then moved after early leaders Splicethemainbrace and Dreams Untold and drew off in the stretch, covering the distance in 1:43.52. That was his first stakes win, and his fourth victory overall. He’s owned by Gregory Carlevale, trained by Michael Pino, and ridden by Angel Castillo.

Region’s Best

1. Princess Kokachin- Speedy filly wins again.
2. Jamie Ness
3. Ruben Silvera