Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: SEIZE THE GREY. Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico went to Seize the Grey, who pulled off a gate-to-wire upset at 9-1. Jaime Torres put the Pat Day Mile winner on the front end quickly, crossing to the rail and the lead and setting the early pace, with Imagination on his flank. As they rounded the final turn, Seize the Grey opened up a 2 1/2-length lead, and though Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan made a run at him, Seize the Grey had more to give, and he hit the wire 2 1/4 lengths in front. Mystik Dan held second by a head over Catching Freedom. Seize the Grey’s career record now stands at 4-0-3 in 10 starts, with earnings of $1,819,938. He ran 1 3/16 miles over a muddy track in 1:56.82 for owner MyRacehorse and trainer Wayne Lukas.

SECOND STAR: GUN SONG. Friday’s feature at Pimlico was the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles. Gun Song, who finished fourth in the Gulfstream Park Oaks in her last start, rebounded to win by 3 3/4 lengths. She drafted off longshot leader Jeanne Marie in the early stages, then made a move after the lead on the far turn. She struck the front and opened up by three lengths in the lane. California shipper Corposo made a mild bid late, but Gun Song held on to win by 3 1/4 lengths, running the distance in 1:51.39. Her record now stands at 3-1-1 in six starts, with earnings of $311,340. She’s owned by R. Lee Lewis, trained by Mark Hennig, and ridden by John Velazquez.

THIRD STAR: PYRENEES. One race earlier on Friday, Pyreness took the Pimlico Special by three-quarters of a length, capping a big day for trainer Cherie DeVaux. Off a second-level win at Keeneland last out, Pyreness was sent off as the 5-1 third choice in the seven-horse field. He rated off the pace, took his shot at the lead at the top of the stretch, and wore down odds-on choice Kingsbarns for the victory, going 1 3/16 miles over a fast track in 1:57.73. The Pimlico Special marked DeVaux’s third stakes win of the day, following wins in the Allaire DuPont Distaff with Shotgun Hottie and the Hilltop Stakes with She Feels Pretty. Pyrenees is owned by Blue Heaven Farm and was ridden by Brian Hernandez.

Pimlico

FIRST STAR: SEIZE THE GREY. Cruised on the lead in the Preakness and added to Wayne Lukas’s legacy.

SECOND STAR: GUN SONG. Drew off to a professional win in the Black-Eyed Susan, and looks like the type who could keep moving forward as the year goes on.

THIRD STAR: PYRENEES. Got his trip and clinched the Preakness week trainer bonus for Cherie DeVaux.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR; JUBA’S HAT TRICK. Last year’s West Virginia Lottery Breeders’ Classic champion earned his first win of the year Saturday, drawing off to win a first-level sprint after sitting a stalking trip.

SECOND STAR: YO VINNIE. Made it three in a row Friday, winning a first-level contest at 1 1/16 miles by 3 1/4 lengths.

THIRD STAR: VAGABOND VIRGIN. Got through traffic to win a first-level sprint in a blanket finish Thursday.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: EDERIK ROBLES. Started his Delaware season on a strong note Thursday with a four-win afternoon.

SECOND STAR: MR. HUSTLE. Took the opening day feature, a third-level route, by 4 1/2 lengths while leading every step of the way.

THIRD STAR: CHIEF RON. Prevailed in a second-level sprint Wednesday for his second win in a row and third win in his five starts on the season.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: SPEAKING. Made his first start since last August a winning one Sunday, taking the John J. Reilly Handicap in impressive fashion as the odds-on choice.

SECOND STAR: MIA’S CRUSADE. She also made her 2024 debut in Saturday’s Spruce Fir Handicap, and won by a neck for her third consecutive stakes victory.

THIRD STAR: JAIRO RENDON. Speaking was one of three winners ridden by Rendon on Sunday, capping a five-win weekend.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: BEREN. Wore down Twisted Ride late to win a loaded third-level sprint Monday; he’s now just over $55,000 shy of millionaire status.

SECOND STAR: PRINCESS DEONA. Went gate-to-wire to win a third-level contest for fillies and mares earlier on the Monday card, for her second win in a row.

THIRD STAR: FREEDOM ROAD. Crushed a starter allowance field by 10 1/4 lengths Saturday; he’s now hit the board in all six starts on the season.