Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: DONTLOOKBACKATALL. Pennsylvania-bred fillies and mares did battle on the Parx grass in Monday’s co-featured event, the Power By Far Stakes. Off a victory in the License Fee Stakes against open company at Aqueduct, Dontlookbackatall went off as the overwhelming 1-5 favorite in the nine-horse field. She lived up to expectations, as she drafted off early leader Organized Chaos, then wore her down in the stretch for a three-quarter length victory, covering five furlongs on a firm grass course in 57.19. The daughter of Blackstone stallion Peace and Justice, bred by A1A Racing, improved her career record to 5-5-0 in 12 starts, with earnings of $377,290. She’s owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Scarlet Oak Racing, and Titletown Racing Stables, trained by Christophe Clement, and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

SECOND STAR: TREVESSO. One race later, nine of the finest Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-old males in the land traveled 1 1/16 miles on the lawn in the Crowd Pleaser Stakes. Trevesso rebounded from an off-the-board finish in the Jersey Derby to win by 1 1/2 lengths, going from last to first to circle the group and open up three lengths as they approached the wire. He held on for the win despite drifting out in the stretch, going the distance in 1;44.26. His career record now stands at 2-0-1 from five starts, with earnings of $111,710. Jorge Ruiz was aboard for owner Runnymoore Racing LLC and trainer Cal Lynch.

THIRD STAR: PLAY HARDER. Maryland-bred 3-year-olds clashed at Laurel Park Saturday in the Star De Naskra Stakes. Quint’s Brew, the 3-5 chalk, rated off the pace, but came up empty and finished third. Play Harder and Celtic Contender engaged in an exciting stretch battle, Celtic Contender held on to cross the wire first by a nose, but Play Harder was elevated to first after Celtic Contender was disqualified for causing crowding as they left the chute. Play Harder is now 5-for-6 lifetime in his career, finishing within a length either way in each of his last five starts. He was bred by Maria Haire and is owned by Rising Sun Racing Stable Inc, trained by Claudio Gonzalez, and ridden by J.G. Torrealba.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: PLAY HARDER. His determination has helped him make a nice living on the Maryland circuit.

SECOND STAR: ALWAYSINAHURRY. Maryland-bred veteran earned his first victory of the year Friday, taking a third-level sprint with a bold sweep in the center of the track.

THIRD STAR: APRIL FOOLS ANDY. Rallied from last to win a third-level route on grass Sunday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: NO CHANGE. Returned to the races off a two-month break Thursday and drew off to beat West Virginia-bred allowance company by five lengths, for his first win of the year.

SECOND STAR: JUBAWITHATWIST. Crushed an allowance field by eight lengths earlier on the Thursday program, improving to 7-for-11 lifetime with three consecutive victories.

THIRD STAR: ADVANCE CASH. Earned his third consecutive victory Thursday by taking a starter optional claiming contest in gate-to-wire style.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: FOR FLYING. A Group 1 winner in her native Brazil, she made her American debut a winning one Thursday, getting up in the final few yards to win a second-level grass route.

SECOND STAR: FREEDOM ROAD. Earned his third win in a row Saturday in a first-level sprint as the 1-20 favorite.

THIRD STAR: JULIO HERNANDEZ. Turned back-to-back hat tricks in the saddle Wednesday and Thursday.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: BELLE’S BLUE BELL. Rallied wide in the stretch and drew off to win Saturday’s Maryfield Stakes.

SECOND STAR: LADY ARSINOE. Came on three-wide and got up in the last few strides to beat second-level rivals going long on grass Friday.

THIRD STAR: JUSTINTIMEFORWINE. Went gate-to-wire to take a first-level grass route Saturday; he’s now won three of his last four races.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: DONTLOOKBACKATALL. With back-to-back stakes wins under her belt, she’ll try to make herself the next great Pennsylvania-bred female grass sprinter.

SECOND STAR: TREVESSO. Went last-to-first to earn his first stakes victory in the Crowd Pleaser.

THIRD STAR: MARGIN OF AIR. Fought hard in the stretch to win a second-level route earlier on Monday’s card; he’s finished no worse than second in his seven starts this year.