Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: THORPEDO ANNA. She had to work a bit harder than usual, but Thorpedo Anna got the job done and earned her fifth stakes victory of the year in Saturday’s grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx. She went off as the 1-10 favorite in the eight-horse field. Breaking from post position six, she began well under Brian Hernandez and rated off the pace on the rail, covered up by early leader Mystic Lake and Tarifa and Gun Song to her outside. As the field rounded the final turn, she remained covered up, and Hernandez managed to get her off the rail and make a move after the leaders between horses. Gun Song gave her a fight on the rail, but Thorpedo Anna proved too good and won by a neck. She ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.45, setting herself up for a bid in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and a potential Horse of the Year title. She’s owned by Brookdale Racing Inc, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing, and trained by Kenny McPeek.

SECOND STAR: SEIZE THE GREY. One race later, Parx hosted their signature race, the grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. Preakness champ Seize the Grey, in search of his first win since the third Saturday in May, led every step and won by 3 3/4 lengths. He received mild pace pressure from longshot Just Step on It in the early stages, but was nonetheless able to set an opening quarter fraction of 23.89 and a half of 49.25. Subsequently, he had plenty to give in the stretch, and hit the line 3 3/4 lengths in front, going 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.89. He became the third 3-year-old male to win two grade 1s this year, joining Fierceness and Dornoch, and is a contender for champion 3-year-old male. He’s owned by MyRacehorse, trained by Wayne Lukas, and ridden by Jaime Torres.

THIRD STAR: NEXT. Earlier on the Saturday card at Parx, Next and eight overmatched rivals contested the grade 3 Greenwood Cup. Next, sent off as the 1-20 favorite, rated off early leaders Ridin With Biden and Beach Daze in the early stages, then struck the front with a half-mile to go. He drew off to win by ten lengths in 2:33.61 for 1 1/2 miles. It marked his seventh consecutive stakes win, all of which have come at 1 1/2 miles or longer. Luan Machado was aboard for owner Michael Foster and trainer Doug Cowans.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: MISS NEW YORK. Sat the trip and drew away to win Sunday’s Twixt Stakes.

SECOND STAR: IRISH MAXIMA. Rated near the pace and held on to win the Weather Vane Stakes earlier on Sunday in a 9-1 upset.

THIRD STAR: PRINCE OF JERICHO. Laurel-loving colt picked up another win on this track with an open allowance victory on Friday.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: EVIDENCIAS. Came from off the pace to win Wednesday’s Obeah Stakes going away.

SECOND STAR: SPIKEZONE. Lived up to the 1-10 hype to beat Delaware-certified foes in the New Castle on Friday, for his eighth win of the year in 11 starts.

THIRD STAR: LATE FROST. Lasted through pace pressure to win the Tax Free Shopping Distaff on Thursday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: I’M THE DIRECTOR. Went gate-to-wire to win Saturday’s Henry Mercer Memorial Stakes, upsetting 1-5 favorite Annapolis Road in the process.

SECOND STAR: OVERNIGHT POW WOW. In her first start since her fourth-place effort in the Charles Town Oaks, she beat allowance rivals by 10 3/4 lengths on Friday, setting herself up nicely for the West Virginia Breeders’ Classics.

THIRD STAR: DIAKONISSA. Got up in the last jump to defeat Boss Lady K P and win the John McKee Memorial Stakes on Friday.

Meadowlands

FIRST STAR: SURYA. Ran on strongly once she found room and kicked on to beat first-level rivals in Friday’s feature.

SECOND STAR: GREG SACCO. Won three races with four starters on opening weekend to take an early lead in the trainer standings.

THIRD STAR: PACO LOPEZ. He also won three races to lead the rider standings, and finished second a further three times.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: THORPEDO ANNA. The Grizzly picked up yet another stakes win on Saturday; now it’s onto her elders in the Distaff.

SECOND STAR: SEIZE THE GREY. Bounced back nicely with a front-running Pennsylvania Derby score.

THIRD STAR: NEXT. Is he finally bound for grade 1 company after his big Greenwood Cup victory?