Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: WHELEN SPRINGS. Zozos was the odds-on favorite in Saturday’s Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park, going off as the 1-2 favorite. However, he faded after showing speed, and Shortleaf homebred Whelen Springs picked up the pieces, coming from off the pace to win by a half-length over late leader Trademark. It was his third stakes victory, following wins in the Rainbow Stakes and the Bachelor Stakes last April. He’s trained by Lindsay Schultz, who picked up her first graded stakes win, and ridden by Jose Ferrer.

SECOND STAR: FIELD PASS. The classy Maryland-bred found his way to the winner’s circle for the first time since last July on Saturday at Laurel park, where he won the Find Stakes by a half-length. He drafted towards the back of the pack early on and rallied in the four-path in the stretch for the victory. He’s now a nine-time stakes winner and earner of $1,239,021. Axel Concepcion was in the saddle for owner Three Diamonds Farm and trainer Mike Maker.

THIRD STAR: PRINCESS INDY. Sunday’s feature at Monmouth was the Sorority Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Princess Indy, well-beaten in the Adirondack Stakes in her prior start, rebounded to win this by 1 1/2 lengths. She stayed close to the pace while wide most of the way, then wore down favored Wine On Tap for the victory. She’s owned by Valter Ramos, trained by Claudio Gonzalez, and ridden by Carlos Rojas.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: FIELD PASS. Moved into 16th place on the all-time Maryland-bred earnings list with his Find victory.

SECOND STAR: GOLD DIGGING BROAD. Led most of the way and was elevated to victory in Saturday’s All Brandy Stakes via disqualification.

THIRD STAR: AXEL CONCEPCION. Rode four winners on Saturday, including Field Pass.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: JAYJAYDEE. Drew off to crush a starter allowance field on Friday for his fourth win of the year in ten starts.

SECOND STAR: AMIDSHIPS. Also got his fourth win of the year on Thursday, lasting on the pace to beat non-winners of three allowance foes.

THIRD STAR: HERO’S MAN. Led every step to win a West Virginia-bred allowance optional claiming race Saturday at 1-9.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: STILL MY BABE. Kicked away four-wide from off the pace to win a first-level allowance optional claiming grass sprint on Saturday.

SECOND STAR: ST. ANDREWS. Rallied well on the outside to win a first-level allowance contest on Wednesday; he’s now hit the board in

THIRD STAR: MY HARBORS DREAM. This Washington-bred chased down a loose leader to win against starter optional claiming rivals on Thursday for his second win in his last three starts.

Colonial Downs

FIRST STAR: FULL COUNT FELICIA. Finally made her 2023 debut on Saturday in a second-level allowance optional claiming race, and rallied with a strong, wide move to win going away as the odds-on choice.

SECOND STAR; MAYA PRINCE. Closed with a rush to win a second-level grass sprint on Thursday for his second win in a row.

THIRD STAR: BY THE SEY SHORE. Drew off handily to beat Virginia-restricted allowance foes on Friday.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: WHELEN SPRINGS. Continued a breakthrough year for up-and-coming trainer Lindsay Schultz.

SECOND STAR: PRINCESS INDY. Rebounded nicely off the Adirondack and added to Claudio Gonzalez’s meet-leading win total.

THIRD STAR: SAMUEL MARIN. Rode home four winners on Sunday, including three in the day’s first four races.