Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: JAIME RODRIGUEZ. The leading rider at the Laurel Park fall meet, Rodriguez hit the ground running on the first three days of the winter meet, with three consecutive three-win days. On Friday, he prevailed in race 3 on Sun Streaming, in race 5 aboard Southern District, and in race 8 with Take a Hint. Saturday saw Rodriguez win the opener with Omar Comin, followed by victories in race 4 aboard Lady Charlotte and in race 6 with Ashlee’s Ring. On Sunday, Rodriguez kept the momentum going with three Jamie Ness-trained winners: Roan Burgundy in race 2, Rubys Flash in race 3, and Speedyness in the 8th race. Unsurprisingly, Rodriguez holds a commanding lead in the early jockey standings, with nine victories. Jevian Toledo is second with five wins, meaning those two riders have teamed up to win more than half of the races so far.

SECOND STAR: DIVINE FASHION. After tying for the national win lead last Saturday at Mahoning Valley by picking up her 10th win of 2023, Divine Fashion wheeled back quickly for her 2024 debut at Charles Town on Friday. Sent off as the 1-10 favorite in a seven-furlong allowance race, she didn’t miss a beat, winning by 5 1/4 lengths after rating off the pace and pouncing on the turn. Bred in Maryland by Susan Wantz, she’s owned by Richard Burnsworth, trained by Anthony Farrior, and ridden by Arnaldo Bocachica.

THIRD STAR: MARTINI MARTIN. Purchased for $6,000 in May 2022 by Michael Scheffres, this 4-year-old has started to look like an especially shrewd buy. He won his fourth in a row at Parx on Monday, getting up to win a second-level route by a length with a wide rush. He took seven tries to break his maiden, but caught fire since doing so at Delaware Park in late October. He’s now earned $119,360 in his 10-race career. Angel Cruz had the winning mount for trainer Carlos Mancilla.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: JAIME RODRIGUEZ. Looks well on his way to another riding title.

SECOND STAR: TAKE A HINT. One of his winners came on this gelding, who broke through to win a first-level sprint by 3 3/4 lengths in gate-to-wire style.

THIRD STAR: SPEEDYNESS. Made it three wins in his last four starts on Sunday, drawing off to win a first-level contest as much the best with Rodriguez aboard.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: DIVINE FASHION. Could another historic campaign have started on Friday?

SECOND STAR: CARLOS LOPEZ. Won four races from six mounts on Thursday.

THIRD STAR: PAPA LINGUINE. This West Virginia-bred 2-year-old improved to 2-for-2 lifetime with a win over state-bred foes on Friday.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: MARTINI MARTIN. Looks like a horse to watch on the Mid-Atlantic circuit this year.

SECOND STAR: SILVESTRE GONZALEZ. Turned a riding hat trick on Monday.

THIRD STAR: BLAZING RED. One of his wins came on this 4-year-old Pennsylvania-bred gelding, who nailed longtime leader Cold Shot to win a Pennsylvania-bred allowance in a blanket finish on Monday.