Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: AL LOVES JOSIE. Jerry Robb has plenty of solid female horses in his barn, including 2023 stakes winners Award Wanted and Fille d’Esprit, but he looks like he has a rising male star in his barn in Al Loves Josie. The 4-year-old son of Holy Boss crushed a third-level allowance optional claiming field on Saturday. He rated off the pace as the 9-10 favorite, then moved to the front and kicked away despite Xavier Perez losing the whip in the stretch. He crossed the wire 3 1/2 lengths in front, going six furlongs in 1:10.79. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him in the Not For Love Stakes on this track, on which he’s won six times, on March 18. He’s owned by C J I Phoenix Group and No Guts No Glory Farm.

SECOND STAR: BACKNTHEWOODS. More sprinters took center stage on Sunday in an open allowance. Backnthewoods, a Maryland-bred like Al Loves Josie, pressed the pace from the outside early on, then cleared to the lead on the turn and drew away to win at 12-1. He hit the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front, running 5 1/2 panels in 1:04.95.Last year, he won three times and was stakes-placed in the Challedon Stakes, and got his season off to a winning start here. Jean Briceno was in the saddle for owner Barak Farm and trainer Jose Corrales.

THIRD STAR: DULCIMER DAME. This 5-year-old mare has torn through Charles Town this year. She handily beat a starter optional claiming field on Thursday to improve to 4-for-4 on the year. Sent off at 1-5 in the seven-furlong contest, she pressed the pace on the outside and took control at the three-eighths point, drawing off late to win by 4 1/2 lengths. She’s one of two horses in the country to win four races so far this year. Arnaldo Bocachica had the winning mount for owner Richard Burnsworth and trainer Anthony Farrior.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: AL LOVES JOSIE. Looks to be on the road to stakes company after an impressive performance on Saturday.

SECOND STAR: BACKNTHEWOODS. Made his 2023 debut a winning one with a solid win on Sunday.

THIRD STAR: AXEL CONCEPCION. Won his first race at Laurel Park on Saturday; had a strong start to his career in Puerto Rico and began riding here this past weekend.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: DULCIMER DAME. Continued her strong start to the year on Thursday with an impressive victory.

SECOND STAR: FULLY CONNECTED. Battled on to win a second-level allowance optional claiming race later on the Thursday card, defeating Primal Destiny in the process.

THIRD STAR: DRY WELL. Got put up via disqualification to win an allowance optional claiming race of her own on Saturday, for her second straight win at Charles Town.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: PEACH PERFECT. This Pennsylvania-bred filly made it three wins in a row in a second-level allowance optional claiming race on Wednesday.

SECOND STAR: ANDY HERNANDEZ. Won three races from five mounts on the Wednesday card; sits in a tie for sixth place in the standings going into this week.

THIRD STAR: UNIMPEACHABLE. She won a starter allowance race on Tuesday for her second win in three starts; she’s missed the board just once in her last eleven starts.