Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: FILM STAR. The Robert Manfuso Stakes, for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles, served as the headliner of Laurel Park’s Saturday card. Speedyness, most recently third in the City of Laurel Stakes, set the pace and remained in front as they rounded the final turn. New York shipper Film Star pressed him the whole way around and move to engage him in the two-path. The two dueled down the stretch in a spine-tingling battle, and Film Star ultimately got the upper hand, winning by a head. He’s now a two-time stakes winner on the year, having taken the off-the-grass Lure Stakes at Saratoga in August, and is a six-time winner lifetime in 23 starts, with earnings of $583,551. He covered the distance over a fast track in 1:45.17, for owner Ronald Stewart, trainer Linda Rice, and rider Jose Lezcano.

SECOND STAR: CELTIC CONTENDER. Earlier on the Saturday Laurel card, top Maryland-bred or Maryland-sired sprinters met in the Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial Stakes. Celtic Contender, who finished second in the City of Laurel ahead of Speedyness, returned to the winner’s circle with a sharp 1 1/2 length win. He broke well and went straight to the early lead, but was pressed from his inside by Freeze the Fire. However, Celtic Contender was able to shake off that longshot rival and another challenge from Circle P, and pulled clear for the victory. He’s now won two stakes races in his last three starts, following a victory in the Maryland Million Sprint in October. Bred by Fred Lewis, DVM, he’s owned by the Lewis Family Racing Stable, trained by Hammy Smith, and ridden by Victor Carrasco.

THIRD STAR: SEA DANCER. A competitive field of fillies and mares met in Saturday’s Carousel Stakes at Laurel. Sea Dancer, making her first start on dirt and her first start for Brittany Russell, came from 12 lengths off the pace and rallied in the center of the track to win by two lengths. It was her first stakes win in seven stakes appearances, and marked the third win of the afternoon for Russell and jockey Sheldon Russell. SF Racing LLC were the winning owners.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: FILM STAR. Showed a lot of heart to eke out an exciting Manfuso victory.

SECOND STAR: CELTIC CONTENDER. Part of a bumper crop of Maryland-bred 4-year-olds for 2025.

THIRD STAR: SEA DANCER. Capped a big day for Brittany and Sheldon Russell.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: LONESOME BOY. The City of Brotherly Love Stakes champion picked uo his first win since then on Monday, taking second-level contest by 1 1/2 lengths.

SECOND STAR: ESTEBAN PADILLA. Pulled a training hat trick on Monday, winning three races from five starters.

THIRD STAR: AMBITIOUSLY PLACED. Picked up her eighth win of the year on Wednesday, taking a seven-furlong first-level race by three lengths.