Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING. Charles Town hosted their signature event on Friday, when older males traveled 1 1/8 miles in the grade 2, $1,000,000 Charles Town Classic. Skippylongstocking, sent away as the 11-10 favorite, led every step and pulled clear late to win by 5 3/4 lengths, for his second consecutive victory in the Classic. This is his third graded stakes victory on the year, following wins in the grade 3 Challenger Stakes and grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap earlier in the season, and boosted his career earnings to $2,992,985 in 26 career starts. He covered the distance on a fast track in 1:50.34 for owner Daniel Alonso, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr, and jockey Jose Ortiz.

SECOND STAR: MYSTIC LAKE. One race earlier, 3-year-old fillies wen postward in the grade 2, $750,000 Charles Town Oaks. Joseph-trained Mystic Lake enjoyed a great trip, sitting second early just behind local hopeful Overnight Pow Wow. She made a three-wide move on the final turn and kicked away from there, drawing off to win by 5 3/4 lengths under Mike Smith. This is her fourth stakes win of the year,and second graded stakes win, following a victory in the grade 3 Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in May. The C2 Racing Stable LLC and Stefania Farms LLC-owned filly ran seven furlongs in 1:24.18.

THIRD STAR: GOULD’S GOLD. Parx, fresh back from their summer break, hosted their local prep for the Pennsylvania Derby, the Smarty Jones Stakes, on Saturday. Gould’s Gold, stakes-placed three times on the year, earned his first stakes win with a three-quarter length triumph. He rated off early leader Just Step On It most of the way, then wore down that rival in the stretch to prevail. He covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.55, setting him up nicely for a bid in next month’s Pennsylvania Derby. He’s owned by Four G Racing LLC, Lance Gasway, and Magdalena Racing, trained by Kenny McPeek (who also trains likely Cotillion starter Thopedo Anna) and was ridden by Emmanuel Esquivel.

Timonium

FIRST STAR: LATE FROST. Made the lead mid-race and drew away to win Saturday’s Shine Again Stakes.

SECOND STAR: EXCELLORATOR. Got up over longtime leader Boss Logic to win an open allowance on Friday.

THIRD STAR: BAND CAMP. Beat first-level foes on Saturday for his fifth straight win and seventh of the year in nine starts.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING. Looks Breeders’ Cup-bound after another big victory at Charles Town.

SECOND STAR: MYSTIC LAKE. She’s quietly built up a nice resume this year, and may also be sent to the Breeders’ Cup.

THIRD STAR: VALENTINE CANDY. Drew off after a great trip to win the Robert Hilton Stake son Friday as much the best.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: THE GREY WIZARD. Belmont Gold Cup champion shipped down to Delaware and prevailed in Wednesday’s Cape Henlopen Stakes.

SECOND STAR: IRISH MAXIMA. Made her 3-year-old debut a winning one on Thursday, leading every step to take a second-level sprint for fillies and mares.

THIRD STAR: PAPER MANSION. After seeing her winning streak snapped last out, she bounced back with a starter optional claiming win on Saturday as the 1-5 favorite.

Colonial Downs

FIRST STAR: REPO ROCKS. Multiple graded stakes winner earned his first victory of 2024 on Saturday with an allowance win over fellow Virginia-breds.

SECOND STAR: NO SHOW SAMMY JO. Improved to 2-for-2 on the year with a dominant second-level in in a grass route as the 1-5 choice.

THIRD STAR: MAYA PRINCE. Got a patient ride and kicked away to beat second-level grass rivals on Thursday.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: SOCIAL FORTRESS. This Florida-bred, Pennsylvaia-sired filly was sharp in her stakes debut on Saturday, taking the Sorority Stakes as uch tbebet.

SECOND STAR: SEA STREAK. Made his first start against fellow Jersey-breds a winning on Sunday, taking the Charles Hesse III Handicap as the 2-5 favorite.

THIRD STAR: RIDING PRETTY. Came from off the pace to win Sunday’s Eleven North Handicap as the odds-on choice, giving Holly Crest Farm a sweep of both Jersey-bred stakes.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: GOULD’S GOLD. Finally broke through with his Smarty Jones win.

SECOND STAR: ALOGON. Earned his first stakes victory in 13 months on Saturday with a Parx Dash score.

THIRD STAR: GUN SONG. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes winner earned her first stakes win since then on Saturday as she took the Cathryn Sophia Stakes.