Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: SWEET SODDY J. This Built Wright Stables LLC homebred captured his second stakes win of his 2-year-old season on Saturday, taking the Heft Stakes at Laurel Park by six lengths. He went straight to the front and set the early pace under Jeiron Barbosa, while second choice Great Opportunity rated near him while not applying early pressure. As they turned for home, Sweet Soddy J pulled away under a drive and won as much the best, covering seven furlongs in 1:24.04. He’s now won three times in eight starts, having previously taken the Timonium Juvenile in September. He’s trained by Raymond Ginter Jr, and will hit the Derby trail in Saturday’s Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct.

SECOND STAR: CARMELINA. One race prior at Laurel on Saturday, Carmelina won the Gin Talking Stakes in similar gate-to-wire fashion. The Butch Reid-trained filly broke alertly under Sheldon Russell and quickly made the early lead. Favored Cap Classique gave her a challenge at the top of the stretch, but Carmelina held them all at bay and won by two lengths. She’s a three-time stakes winner, having also taken the Keswick Stakes at Colonial Downs and the Shamrock Rose Stakes at Penn National. She’s owned by Cash is King LLC and LC Racing LLC.

THIRD STAR: AOIFE’S MAGIC. Another Pennsylvania-bred 2-year-old filly shone brightly at Parx on Wednesday, as Aoife’s Magic improved to 4-for-4 lifetime with a victory in the Miss Behaviour Stakes. She set the early pace in the one mile and 70-yard affair, then encountered mid-backstretch pressure from Lucky Opportunity and Namora. However, she re-took control on the far turn, then pulled clear and won by three lengths. She ran the distance over a track labeled “good” but taking on moisture in 1:51.38. Bred by Mohns Hill Farm LLC, she’s owned by A & J Racing Stable, trained by David Dotolo, and ridden by Wilfred Vazquez.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: SWEET SODDY J. Romped to victory last Saturday and now has his sights set on bigger targets.

SECOND STAR: CARMELINA. Capped off a big year for Butch Reid, giving him his 18th stakes win.

THIRD STAR: IT’S SIZZLING TIME. Pulled a 44-1 shocker to take Sunday’s feature, a 1 1/16-mile third-level contest.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: AOIFE’S MAGIC. She’s become a fan favorite on social media; can she keep the positive momentum going in 2024?

SECOND STAR: UNCLE HEAVY. Another Butch Reid-trained stakes winner; this one took the Wait For It Stakes on Wednesday as the slight second choice.

THIRD STAR: FRANKIE’S EMPIRE. Bounced back from an off-the-board finish in the Rocky Run Stakes to win a first-level dash on Tuesday in last-to-first style at 15-1.