Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: NATIONS PRIDE. Colonial Downs was forced to move their signature event, the grade 1 Arlington Million, from Saturday to Sunday due to heavy rain. After a further delay caused by satellite issues resulted in first post being moved back to 1:52 PM, the field took to the track for the Million on Sunday night. When the gates finally sprung, favored Nations Pride, looking for his first win of the season, rated in third palace, drafting behind runaway loose leader Sugoi. As they rounded the final turn of the 1 1/4-mile contest, Sugoi faded, and Nations Pride, with William Buick aboard, kicked on and won by 1 3/4 lengths. He’s now a seven-time stakes winner in his 18-race career, including four grade or group 1 wins in three different countries, with earnings of $3,445,554. The Godolphin homebred is trained by Charlie Appleby.

SECOND STAR: MOIRA. One race prior, fillies and mares took to the track in the grade 2 Beverly D. Stakes. Canadian star Moira, sent off as the 7-10 choice in the five-horse field, made a three-wide move in the stretch and chased down longtime leader Fev Rover to win by a head. The 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year is a six-time stakes winner in her 15-race career, including the 2022 Queen’s Plate, but this was her first stakes win in the United States. She’s owned by Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables LLC, and SF Racing LLC, trained by Kevin Attard, and ridden by Jose Ortiz.

THIRD STAR: TRIKARI. 3-yar-olds did battle in the grade 2 Secretariat Stakes earlier on the Sunday card. Trikari was scratched out of the Saratoga Derby to run here, and it proved to be the right choice, as he closed in from just off the pace in the stretch and kicked on for a 2 1/4-length win. He’s now a four-time stakes winner on the season and an earner of $1,303,530 in his 8-race career. John Velazquez was up for owner Amerman Racing LLC and trainer Graham Motion.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: J.G. TORREALBA. Rode five winners on the 8-race Sunday card, giving him 30 wins on the meet, which puts him within nine of meet-leading Jaime Rodriguez heading into the final weekend.

SECOND STAR: IRISH EXIT. Held on over Brilliant Ice to take a seven-furlong third-level contest on Sunday; he’s now won two straight races and six of his last seven.

THIRD STAR: FIVE DREAMS. Lasted through an early duel with Johnyz From Albany to win a three-horse, off-the-grass, third-level dash on Sunday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: JUBA’S HAT TRICK. Rated off the pace and drew off to beat first-level foes on Saturday; he hasn’t missed the board in seven starts this year.

SECOND STAR: THEWITCHISGONE. Made a well-timed move from behind to win a first-level sprint later on the Saturday program for his second straight win.

THIRD STAR: IMPERIAL KING. Overcame a bit of traffic to win a starter allowance dash on Friday.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: DISCO BALL. Made it three in a row on Thursday with a sharp 9 1/4-length win in a second-level sprint.

SECOND STAR: DEVIL PAYS IN GOLD. Crushed a first-level field by ten lengths on Saturday, for her fourth victory of the year.

THIRD STAR: HEY BROTHER. This California invader made his east coast debut a winning one on Wednesday, chasing down longtime leader Irish Hero to take a first-level dash.

Colonial Downs

FIRST STAR: NATIONS PRIDE. Turned in a big performance in the Million and added to his jet-setting resume.

SECOND STAR: MOIRA. She’s competed in nothing bur stakes races in her career and has excelled in them.

THIRD STAR: TRIKARI. Shipping to Colonial rather than Saratoga proved the right move.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: LOVE APPEALS. Came from off the pace to win Sunday’s Incredible Revenge Stakes, for her second consecutive win on this track.

SECOND STAR: PACO LOPEZ. Piloted five winners from seven mounts on the Saturday program.

THIRD STAR: VILLAIN. Led every step and pulled a 20-1 upset in a first-level grass route on Sunday.