Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: CARSON’S RUN. Sunday’s feature at Monmouth Park was the Tale of the Cat Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Carson’s Run, the winner of the grade 1 Summer Stakes last year, but an uninspired fifth in the Woodhaven Stakes in his 3-year-old debut last out, rebounded here with an impressive three-length victory. He rated towards the back of the nine-horse pack in the early stages, but got into gear as the field entered the stretch. With a strong five-wide brush, he struck the front and drew away to win. He’s now 3-1-0 lifetime in six career starts, with earnings of $389,529. He’s owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey, trained by Christophe Clement, and ridden by Vincent Cheminaud.

SECOND STAR: BEAUTY OF THE SEA. One day prior, Monmouth played host to the Goldwood Stakes, for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs on grass. 4-5 favorite Beauty of the Sea saved all the ground she could, racing on the rail just off the early pace. She found room up the rail in the stretch, and shot through late under Paco Lopez to win by 1 1/4 lengths, covering the distance in 1:02.70. She’s now 5-for-5 lifetime, and is a perfect 2-for-2 on the Monmouth grass, having previously won the Blue Sparkler Stakes on this track last year. She’s owned by Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC and trained by Joe Orseno.

THIRD STAR: SOCIAL CHIC. Saturday’s Charles Town card featured a plethora of local stars squaring off in a seven-furlong open allowance contest. O’Conner Sunset, in pursuit of his fourth consecutive victory, went off as the slight 2-1 favorite, but did no better than fourth. Social Chic, who was most recently second in the Confucius Say Stakes, got up for his 12th career victory by a neck, rallying three-wide and surging late to defeat Dontmesawithme. He now sports a career record of 12-12-3 from 31 career starts, with earnings of $423,750. Arnaldo Bocachica had the winning mount Saturday for owner Smart Angle LLP and trainer Jeff Runco.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: MS. BUCCHERO. Led every step to take an open allowance sprint for fillies and mares Friday.

SECOND STAR: JEIRON BARBOSA. Earned his 400th career victory Sunday, riding The Last Scip to a dead-heat victory in a starter optional claiming contest on the lawn.

THIRD STAR: FREEZE THE FIRE. Made it two wins in a row Friday with a hard-fought Maryland-restricted.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: SOCIAL CHIC. He’s come close in numerous stakes races over the past 12 months; is he due for a breakthrough next out?

SECOND STAR: DIRECT THE CAT. A three-time stakes winner last year, she made her 3-year-old debut a winning one Thursday with a dominant six-length victory in an allowance dash.

THIRD STAR: ARNALDO BOCACHICA. Social Chic was one of four winners Bocachica rode home Saturday, three of them for Jeff Runco.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: AUTO GLIDE. Came from off the pace and drew off to win a second-level route Wednesday for his third consecutive victory.

SECOND STAR: GABRIEL MALDONADO. Went 4-for-5 in the saddle Thursday; he leads the rider standings with 25 wins in 81 mounts, good for a 31% win percentage.

THIRD STAR: CAROL CEDENO. Had a big day of her own Wednesday, with three victories.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: CARSON’S RUN. He’s shown plenty of potential in his brief career; can he keep it going against better next out?

SECOND STAR: BEAUTY OF THE SEA. Patience paid off as she picked up another win on the Monmouth grass course.

THIRD STAR: KHOZEIRESS. Wore down odds-on early leader Eyeing Clover to take a third-level sprint Sunday.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: PACO LOPEZ. Rode three winners in five mounts on the Monday card.

SECOND STAR: MY LAST MISSION. Lasted through pace pressure to win a first-level route Monday at 11-1 for his second victory of the year.

THIRD STAR: ON THE SHORTLIST. Rated off the leaders and fought hard to win a Pennsylvania-bred allowance contest on the lawn Tuesday.