Laurel Park

FIRST STARS: WHERESHETOLDMETOGO. Fresh off a win in the Not For Love Stakes last out, Whereshetoldmetogo tried his luck against open company on Friday in a third-level allowance optional claiming race. He went off as the odds-on 7-10 favorite from the outside post in the seven-horse field, and made a bold four-wide move to the lead on the turn. In the stretch, he kicked away and won by 3 1/2 lengths, going six furlongs in 1:11.39. He’s now 2-for-2 on the year, and has won four of his last five races. Jevian Toledo had the winning mount for trainer Brittany Russell, who co-owns the winner with Madaket Stables LLC, Ten Strike Racing, and Michael Kisber.

SECOND STAR: GOING TO THE LEAD. Later on the Friday card, another noteworthy Maryland-bred sprinter prevailed. Going to the Lead won for the third time this year, taking a second-level allowance optional claiming race by a half-length. Nottoway set the early pace and opened up a clear lead, but Going to the Lead tracked him down late and got up for the victory. He went six furlongs in 1:11.69, just a few ticks slower than Whereshetoldmetogo ran a race earlier. He’s owned by Vince Campanella, trained by Damon Dilodovico, and ridden by Horacio Karamanos.

THIRD STAR: EXCELLORATOR. Last year, this Maryland-bred crossed the wire first in the Federico Tesio Stakes, but was disqualified and placed second for drifting out in the stretch. Since returning from a long layoff, he’s a perfect 2-for-2, including a win on Sunday in a Maryland-bred allowance race. He set the early pace and led all the way around, crossing the wire 2 3/4 lengths in front. He’s owned by Larry Rabold, trained by Hugh McMahon, and ridden by Jean Alvelo.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: MIDNIGHT ACT. The featured event on Friday night was a second-level allowance optional claiming race at 1 1/16 miles. Parx shipper Midnight Act, making his first start at Charles Town this year, came from last to win by a length. He rated behind in a tightly-packed field early, then made a move on the turn and was stacked four-wide as they entered the stretch. Despite losing so much ground, he took control as they neared the wire and won. That’s his first win of the year, and his tenth lifetime victory from 50 starts. He’s owned by James Davis and Kelly Davis, trained by Flint Stites, and ridden by Darius Thorpe.

SECOND STAR: DECO STRONG. Stites and Thorpe also teamed up to win the Thursday night feature. In her second start of the year, Deco Strong won a second-level allowance optional claiming contest by a length. Breaking from post seven, she found her way into the two-path early on and enjoyed a great stalking trip. She pulled clear in the final strides for the victory, going 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:21.23. The winning owners are Stephen and Debbie Jackson.

THIRD STAR: BAHAMIAN GIRL. This Florida-bred 5-year-old made it three in a row on Saturday night, as she won a first-level allowance race by a nose. She had to deal with two rivals in this one. In the early stages, she pressed Mamba Queen from the outside, then took advantage when that rival backed up. In the stretch, she looked clear, but My Pretty Eyes surged late and made it a photo. However, the photo finish camera revealed that Bahamian Girl’s nose got down first. She went 4 1/2 furlongs in 53.24 seconds, for owner Mauricio Rodriguez, trainer Kristy Gazzier, and jockey Marshall Mendez.

Parx Racing

FIRST STARS: FORTHELUVOFBOURBON. The co-feature on Monday’s card was the Page McKenney Handicap, featuring Pennsylvania-breds going seven furlongs. Two local stalwarts, Beren and Fortheluvofbourbon dueled through most of the contest, with Beren setting the pace and Fourtheluvofbourbon rating right off it. In the stretch, the two continued to duel, but Fortheluvofbourbon ultimately got a nod by a neck in a spirited 1;23.49. That’s his second win of the year, and represents a nice rebound from a sixth-place finish in the Fishtown Stakes last out. He’s owned by Smart Angle LLP, trained by Michael Pino, and ridden by Kendrick Carmouche.

SECOND STAR: CINNABUNNY. One race later, Cinnabunny made it 7-for-14 lifetime with a neck victory in the Unique Bella Stakes. Under Jorge Ruiz, she rated off the pace on the inside, then took her shot at Ninetypercentbrynn in the stretch. Cinnabunny got up over that rival in the last few strides, going seven furlongs in 1:25.03. She’s owned by Runnymore Racing LLC and trained by Cal Lynch.

THIRD STAR: MOJOVATION. An open allowance sprint served as the feature race on the Tuesday card. Mojovation split horses late and pulled clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths, for his third win of the year in five starts. He paid $6 to win and went 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.34., He’s owned by Morris Kernan Jr and Jagger Inc, trained by Jamie Ness, and was ridden by Jaime Rodriguez.

Region’s Best

1. Fortheluvofbourbon- Won a showdown between gutsy PA-breds.
2. Whereshetoldmetogo
3. Cinnabunny