MID-ATLANTIC THREE STARS: january 3
John Piassek- January 3, 2023
Plenty of racing action took place throughout the Mid-Atlantic this past week.
Here’s a look at the “three stars” of each track:
Laurel Park
FIRST STAR: NIMITZ CLASS. The Robert T. Manfuso Stakes wrapped up a stakes-packed card of racing at Laurel Park on Friday. Pennsylvania-bred Nimitz Class picked up his second stakes win of the season, and his sixth win overall in 2022, with a half-length victory. Under Jevian Toledo, he tracked the pace early, then angled wide in the stretch and took his shot at the leaders. Maryland-breds Ain’t Da Beer Cold and Ournationonparade, both of whom were on the pace, fought gamely, but Nimitz Class got up for the half-length win. He’s owned by Tom Coulter and trained by Bruce Kravets.
SECOND STAR: FACTOR IT IN. This hard-knocking gray won his second stakes race of the year, and earned his fifth consecutive top-three stakes finish, in Friday’s Dave’s Friend Stakes. He broke on top, opened up a clear lead quickly, and kept his rivals at bay in a sharp 1 1/4-length victory, going six furlongs in 1:10.65. He previously won the Challedon Stakes on this track in October, and finished third in the Bold Ruler Stakes and the Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct in his prior two performances. Angel Cruz was aboard for owners Michael Scheffres and trainer Carlos Mancilla.
THIRD STAR: SWAYIN TO AND FRO. Claimed for $16,000 in late May, this South Carolina-bred filly picked up her third stakes win of the year in Friday’s Willa On the Move Stakes. She dueled on the inside with Dontletsweetfoolya, but dismissed her challenge and drew off powerfully in the stretch under regular rider Grant Whitacre. She won by 6 1/2 lengths for her first stakes win against open company. She previously won the Shine Again Stakes for fillies and mares who had not won a stakes in September, followed by the Safely Kept Stakes against 3-year-old fillies in November. She’s owned by Baxter Racing Stable and trained by Mario Serey jr.
Charles Town Races
- Im the Director prevails in WV FuturityThe third meeting between Im the Director and Bail Is Denied saw the rivals fight to the wire in the West Virginia Futurity.
Charles Town is currently on their winter hiatus. Live racing resumes this Wednesday, January 4.
Parx Racing
Live racing was cancelled at Parx last week due to track issues.
Region’s Best
- Nimitz Class– Big win for the Pennsylvania-bred
- Factor It In
- Swayin To and Fro
- “Bittersweet moment” as Hessica hits retirementTwo-time WVBC Cavada winner Hessica couldn’t get one last win, settling for second November 9, but she’s had quite a career for owner-trainer Kristy Petty.
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