Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: June 3 * The Racing Biz

MID-ATLANTIC THREE STARS: june 3

John Piassek
June 3, 2024

Plenty of racing action took place throughout the Mid-Atlantic this past week.

Here’s a look at the “three stars” of each track:

Region’s Best

Jockey Miguel Vasquez ships up from Gulfstream Park in Florida and wins three races at Monmouth Park including aboard Dean Delivers #7 in the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ on Monday May 27, 2024. Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO.

FIRST STAR: DEAN DELIVERS. The Memorial Day feature at Monmouth Park was the Mr. Prospector Stakes, for older males going six furlongs on dirt. Dean Delivers, making his first start of the year in the mid-Atlantic after spending the winter in his native Florida, lasted through a three-way early duel and drew off in the stretch to win by eight lengths, covering the distance on a sloppy track in 1:10.43. The victory improved his career record to 6-8-2 in 22 starts with career earnings of $562,660. The Stonehedge LLC homebred is trained by Ned Allard and ridden by Miguel Vasquez, one of three winners for Vasquez on the program.

SECOND STARS: ARNALDO BOCACHICA AND PACO LOPEZ. The stalwarts of Charles Town and Monmouth, respectively, both enjoyed five-win days last week. Bocachica won five on the Friday program at Charles Town, including four on horses trained by Anthony Farrior. He won race 1 on Stellars in Charge, race 3 aboard Hialeah Native, race 4 with Simply Jack, and the 5th race with Rock Rose, all Farrior trainees. He completed the five-bagger in race 7 on Furreal, trained by Larry Curtis. Lopez had his big day Saturday at Monmouth, doing his best work in the even-numbered races on the program. He won race 2 on Obliging, trained by Jorge Delgado, race 4 on Michael Moore-trained Bustin Down Doors, race 6 aboard Moore trainee Neigh Dude, the 8th race with Calle Amada, for trainer Todd Pletcher, and race 10 on Just Call Ray, trained by Rob Atras. Through the first four weeks of the Monmouth season, Lopez leads the way with 18 victories. Bocachica, meanwhile, has a comfortable lead in the Charles Town standings, with 79 winners.

THIRD STAR: TWIRLING POINT. A well-timed ride by Frankie Dettori proved the key for Jonathan Thomas trainee Twirling Point, who rated off the pace and kicked on late to win the Jersey Derby Saturday at Monmouth. He wore down early leader Fidelightcayut, then held off the rally of slight second choice Move to Gold and won by a nose, going a mile on a firm grass course in 1:34.76. This was Twirling Point’s first stakes victory, following two stakes placings earlier in his career, and boosted his earnings to $183,583. He’s owned by Augustin Stables.

Pimlico/Laurel Park

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FIRST STAR: MAGIC MICHAEL. After a near-miss in the Native Dancer Stakes, this venerable gelding came from off the pace to win a third-level route in the Memorial Day feature at Pimlico.

SECOND STAR: CAROLINE KRYSTYNA. Rated just off the pace and held on to win a second-level grass sprint Sunday, improving to 2-for-2 on the year in the process.

THIRD STAR: DAZZLING MOVE. Struck the front at the top of the stretch and held on to win a first-level route for 3-year-old fillies Saturday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: ARNALDO BOCACHICA. Looks well on his way to another Charles Town riding title.

SECOND STAR: GREAT SPIRIT. Made her 2024 debut a winning one in Saturday’s Fancy Buckles Stakes, coming from off the pace to win the 4 1/2-furlong dash by a half-length.

THIRD STAR: ZEN MASTER. Broke through for his first victory on 2024 earlier on the Saturday card, winning a first-level contest by 6 3/4 lengths after making a move to the lead up the backstretch.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: PAPER MANSION. Made it seven in a row Saturday with another gate-to-wire win against starter optional claiming company.

SECOND STAR: BORRACHO. Lasted through pace pressure to hold on and win against starter optional claiming foes Wednesday; he’s now a 12-time winner with career earnings of $586,086.

THIRD STAR: PALLOTTA SISTERS. Drew off impressively to win a first-level contest on the grass Wednesday, in her second start off a 14 1/2-month layoff.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: DEAN DELIVERS. A return to graded stakes company may be next off this big win.

SECOND STAR: PACO LOPEZ. Holds a six-win lea d in the rider standings on the strength of his big Saturday.

THIRD STAR: TWIRLING POINT. Got up to win and complete an impressive weekend for Frankie Dettori, who won the Penn Oaks and the Penn Mile less than 24 hours prior.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: ELOQUIST. Led every step in a second-level route Monday to improve to 2-for-3 on the year.

SECOND STAR: BOSS LIKE BETH. Set the pace and drew off to win a Pennsylvania-bred allowance by 11 1/4 lengths Monday.

THIRD STAR: FRANCISCO MARTINEZ. Pulled a riding hat trick Wednesday, winning with his first three mounts of the day.

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