Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: KATHLEEN O. The Sunday feature at Monmouth Park was the one mile and 70 yard Serena’s Song Stakes for older fillies and mares. Occult, the winner of the Monmouth Oaks on this track last year, went off as the 1-5 favorite in the five-horse field. However, she did not kick on entering the stretch, and drifted in at the top of the lane, interfering with Venti Valentine. Meanwhile, Kathleen O, looking for her first win since the 2022 Gulfstream Park Oaks, rallied from last and wore down Occult late to win by three-parts of a length in a mild 9-1 upset. Occult crossed the wire second, but was disqualified and placed third. The winner covered the distance over a sloppy track in 1:44.50, for owner Winngate Stables LLC, trainer Shug McGaughey, and jockey Vincent Cheminaud.

SECOND STAR: SEA STREAK. One day prior, Monmouth hosted its opening day feature, the Long Branch Stakes, the first of two local preps for the Haskell. Sea Streak, who entered the race with two stakes placings under his belt, earned his first stakes victory in statement-making fashion, moving up the inside and drawing off to win by 7 1/4 lengths in 1:41.90 for a mile and 70 yards. The victory improved his career record to 2-3-1 in seven starts, with career earnings of $199,110. The Holly Crest Farm homebred, by Pegasus Stud stallion Sea Wizard, is trained by Eddie Owens and ridden by Jairo Rendon.

THIRD STAR: JUBAWITHATWIST. The Coin Collector Stakes, for West Virginia-bred 3-year-olds, headlined Saturday’s card at Charles Town. Jubawithatwist, last year’s champion West Virginia-bred 2-year-old, made a three-wide move on the turn and got up over clear leader Pork Chop Pete to win by a half-length. He ran 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.98 for his fifth career win in nine starts, boosting his career earnings to $205,613. He’s by Taylor Mountain Farm stallion Juba and is owned and trained by Kristy Petty. Gustavo Larrosa had the winning mount.

Pimlico

FIRST STAR: MOSLER TIME. Kicked away to beat Maryland-bred allowance rivals Thursday, improving to 3-for-5 on the year.

SECOND STAR: NORTHERN GLOW. Got up in the last few jumps to a first-level contest Sunday; though she’s already stakes-placed this year, this was her first win of the season.

THIRD STAR: REGALED. Rallied from 13 lengths out of it to win a first-level race for 3-year-old fillies Saturday, picking up her second consecutive win in the process.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: KATHLEEN O. Hopes to use this victory as a springboard to a bounce-back 4-year-old season.

SECOND STAR: SEA STREAK. He became the third member of the Jersey-bred class of 2021 to win an open stakes race this year, joining Ship to Shore and Book ’em Danno.

THIRD STAR: PACO LOPEZ. The perennial leading rider at Monmouth started his season on a strong note, winning five races on opening weekend and finishing second in three more.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: MYCHEL SANCHEZ. Turned a riding grand slam Monday, guiding home two winners for Michael Pino and two more for Jamie Ness.

SECOND STAR: MOVISITOR. Cruised on the lead to win a third-level route Tuesday, for his first victory of the year.

THIRD STAR: MISS CHAMITA. Rallied from last to nail longtime leader Black Ice and win a first-level route for fillies and mares Tuesday.