Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: February 21 * The Racing Biz

MID-ATLANTIC THREE STARS: february 21

John Piassek
February 21, 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:

Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: EASTERN BAY. On a day in which Laurel Park paid tribute to the late Avery Whisman, it was appropriate that Whisman’s highest-earning runner, Eastern Bay, won the General George Stakes. Making his first start of the year, the 9-year-old gelding rated off stablemate Pirate Rick early on and pulled clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths. He passed the $1 million mark in earnings with his victory, the 19th of his career and his first in a graded stakes race. He races for trainer Lynn Cash’s Built Wright Stables LLC and was ridden by Will Humphrey.

SECOND STAR: SWAYIN TO AND FRO. The Barbara Fritchie Stakes marked a series of firsts. South Carolina-bred Swayin to and Fro won her first graded stakes race, and in turn became the first South Carolina-bred to win a graded event. She’s also the first graded stakes winner for her trainer, Mario Serey Jr, and her jockey, Richard Monterrey. Since getting claimed by Serey last May at Pimlico for $16,000, she’s been on a tear, winning eight times from 13 starts, including four stakes victories.

THIRD STAR: JEVIAN TOLEDO. One of Maryland’s top jockeys enjoyed a banner day on Saturday. He won three consecutive races, including a pair of stakes races. He guided home Bruce Kravets-trained Nimitz Class in the John B. Campbell Stakes, marking the third overall stakes win and second consecutive one. Later, he prevailed in the Nellie Morse Stakes, guiding home Hybrid Eclipse for trainer Brittany Russell. He started his winning streak in race 5, winning a photo finish aboard Top Boss for trainer David Mohan.

Laurel Park

Jockey Club bars 12 from stud book access
The ruling announced by The Jockey Club bans 12 individuals from registering Thoroughbred foals for periods up to five years.

FIRST STAR: EASTERN BAY. He’s found his best self as an older horse, including his first graded stakes win.

SECOND STAR: SWAYIN TO AND FRO. Sky’s the limit as she continues to carve out her place in South Carolina-bred history.

THIRD STAR: JEVIAN TOLEDO. Picked up a pair of stakes wins on Saturday’s card.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: COASTAL MISSION. This West Virginia-bred 4-year-old won an allowance race on Friday for his third straight victory.

SECOND STAR: JUBA’S NOTION. Later on Friday, this John Casey homebred took an allowance race and continued his own three-race winning streak.

THIRD STARS: MARSHALL MENDEZ AND ARNALDO BOCACHICA. They each turned a riding hat trick this week: Mendez on Wednesday, Bocachica on Friday (including Coastal Mission).

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: DISCO EBO. This Butch Reid-trained sprinting filly improved to 2-for-2 on the year last Wednesday with a dominant open allowance win as the odds-on favorite.

SECOND STAR: TWISTED RIDE. Pulled off an allowance win of his own last Monday and improved to 2-for-3 on the year; looking to continue positive momentum after a 2022 season which saw him win a stakes and place in another.

THIRD STAR: HUGO PADILLA. Picked up his first training win last Wednesday with Professor Kool, for owner Wynoaks Farm and trainer Jeremy Laprida.

“Miracle” horse All Caps wins first in two years
All Caps nearly died from an infection two years ago. So how did she get to the winner’s circle at Charles Town Saturday? “A miracle,” says her owner.