Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: COASTAL MISSION. Saturday’s Frank Whiteley Stakes, one of four stakes races on the Laurel Park card, proved to be a thriller. West Virginia-bred star Coastal Mission, who went off as the 3-2 favorite in the eight-horse field, was rated off the pace on the rail, Arnaldo Bocachica moved him off the rail at the top of the stretch and took his shot at Prince of Jericho, who wrestled control of the lead after pressing the pace in the two-path. Prince of Jericho fought back against Coastal Mission, and the two dueled down the stretch in an epic battle. Ultimately, the photo finish camera disclosed that Coastal Mission got his nose down in time, for his fourth stakes victory, and first outside his home base of Charles Town. He’s a homebred for trainer Jeff Runco, under the nom de course Coleswood Farm Inc.

SECOND STAR: AIN’T DA BEER COLD. One race later, last year’s Maryland Million Classic winner, Ain’t Da Beer Cold, held on to win the Native Dancer Stakes in gate-to-wire style. Sensing that he was the lone speed, Jevian Toledo sent his mount for speed, obtaining the lead from the outside post. He set moderate fractions, doing the first quarter of the 1 1/8-mile affair in 25.09 and an opening half of 50.60, and had enough late to hold off the late rally of Magic Michael and win. He covered the distance in 1:52.70 for trainer Kenny Cox and owners Matt Spencer, Kelly Jo Cox, and Bonuccelli Racing. Spencer and Cox also bred the gelding.

THIRD STAR: DISCO EBO. Earlier on Saturday’s Laurel program, Butch Reid-trained sprinter Disco Ebo won the Primonetta Stakes by two lengths. She went off as the 11-10 second choice in the four-horse field, and lasted through early pace pressure from Beneath the Stars to win her fourth career stakes race and for the 11th time overall. She’s owned by Cash is King LLC and LC Racing LLC and was ridden by Sheldon Russell.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: COASTAL MISSION. Proved he can win outside of Laurel Park, and showed some guts in the process.

SECOND STAR: AIN’T DA BEER COLD. When he gets his trip, he’s tough to run down.

THIRD STAR: DISCO EBO. Lasted through pressure and added another notch in her belt.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: LIGHTNIN RUNNER. Sat off the pace and pounced to win Saturday’s Original Gold Stakes, for her third victory of the year and third career stakes triumph.

SECOND STAR: JAYJAYDEE. Took control halfway through and pulled clear to win a second-level seven-furlong contest Friday.

THIRD STAR: GOLDEN G. Lasted through a multi-way duel to pull a 30-1 shocker in a second-level dash Thursday, snapping Duncan Idaho’s four-race win streak.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: TEN GAUGE. He more than outran is 26-1 odds in a second-level contest Tuesday, drawing off to win by 7 3/4 lengths.

SECOND STAR: CLASSIC UNION. Got it done in a second-level route Tuesday in her second start off the layoff, to improve to 5-for-16 lifetime.

THIRD STARS: JOHARIEL RODRIGUEZ AND FRANCISCO MARTINEZ. Both these jockeys achieved their first professional career wins: Rodriguez on Tuesday, Martinez on Wednesday.