Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: PERFORM. The feature race of the Laurel Park spring meet took place on Saturday, as nine 3-year-old did battle in the Federico Tesio Stakes, in pursuit of a spot in the Preakness Stakes starting gate. Thanks to a well-timed ride from Feargal Lynch, Perform came from well off the pace to win by a head. He raced in last most of the way, then surged through between horses and won over Ninetyprcentmaddie in the last few jumps. Perform is not a Triple Crown nominee, and would have to be supplemented for $150,000 if he wanted to run in the Preakness. He’s owned by Woodford Racing LLC, Lanes End Farm, Phipps, Langone, and Hudson and trained by Shug McGaughey.

SECOND STAR: ALWAYSINAHURRY. Earlier on the Saturday card, trainer Phil Capuano achieved a career milestone, as he picked up his first stakes win with Alwaysinahurry in the Frank Whiteley Stakes. The Maryland-bred gelding closed wide in the stretch and wore past early leader Hello Hot Rod to win at 8-1. The stewards conducted a long inquiry looking at Alwaysinahurry’s drifting in the stretch, but let the result stand. This is Alwaysinahurry’s third stakes win, all of which have come at Laurel. He’s owned by Mopo Racing and was ridden by Jorge Ruiz.

THIRD STAR: BEVERLY PARK. The winningest horse of 2022 has started to get his groove back this year, picking up his second win in a row and third of the year on Friday at Charles Town. He got a great trip stalking the pace under Yomar Ortiz, then kicked away to win by 5 3/4 lengths. He’s now won 27 times since the start of 2021, and has earned $586,145 in his 53-race career. He’s owned by Built Wright Stables LLC and trained by Lynn Cash.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: PERFORM. Will his connections pony up for the Preakness or look for other spots down the road?

SECOND STAR: ALWAYSINAHURRY. Gave his trainer a major career milestone and headlined a Maryland-bred exacta.

THIRD STAR: BETH’S DREAM. Shipped up from Florida to win the Heavenly Cause Stakes on Saturday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: BEVERLY PARK. He’s getting on track for another big season.

SECOND STAR: LUCYLOU WHO. Prompted the pace and kicked away to win the Original Gold Stakes as the favorite on Saturday.

THIRD STAR: QUIET IMAGINATION. Picked up her first win of the year in a second-level allowance optional claiming contest on Thursday.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: MYCHEL SANCHEZ. Turned in a riding grand slam on Sunday, including two winners for Michael Pino.

SECOND STAR: IRISH STAR. Improved to 3-for-3 on the season with a second-level allowance optional claiming win on Tuesday.

THIRD STAR: SOCIAL SUCCESS. Pennsylvania-bred Main Line Stakes winner made it four in a row on Wednesday with an allowance win; wouldn’t be surprising to see her in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes next out.