Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: January 6 * The Racing Biz

MID-ATLANTIC THREE STARS: january 6

John Piassek
January 6, 2025

Plenty of racing action took place throughout the Mid-Atlantic this past week.

Here’s a look at the “three stars” of each track:

Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: IRISH MAXIMA. The seven-furlong Mrs. Claus Stakes was one of three stakes races at Parx on December 31. Irish Maxima, who won the Weather Vane Stakes at Laurel Park earlier in the year and was second in the Cheryl White Stakes at Mahoning Valley last out, prevailed in the Mrs. Claus by a whopping 13 3/4 lengths. She broke on top under Frankie Pennington, quickly opened up a clear lead, and never looked back. She splashed her way through seven furlongs in 1:24.68 over a muddy track, capping off a 4-for-5 2024. She’s owned by Irish Three Racing LLC and trained by John Servis.

SECOND STAR: NELSON AVENUE. Outclassed in the Cigar Mile in his prior appearance, Nelson Avenue found a field to his liking in the Blitzen Stakes earlier on the Tuesday Parx program. He was pressed in the early stages by longshot Mastermind, but shook off that rival and opened up by four lengths on the far turn. From there, the margin only grew bigger, and he hit the wire 11 1/4 lengths in front. He ran seven furlongs a zop faster than Irish Maxima, going the distance in 1:24.67 under Jose Lezcano. He’s owned by Photo Finish LLC and trained by Wayne Potts.

THIRD STAR: OFFALY COOL. The first stakes on Parx’s Tuesday program was the 1 1/16-mile Kris Kringle Stakes. Offaly Cool rallied from off the pace to wear down Movisitor and win by a half-length. The performance was especially impressive considering it was his first start since late January. He’s now 6-for-14 lifetime, with earnings of $262,893. He’s owned by Larry Rebbecchi, trained by Jacinto Solis, and ridden by Abner Adorno.

Consistent Full Moon Lover outrunning expectations
Full Moon Lover didn’t show much in the mornings and was ignored in her debut but has gone on, mostly under the radar, to win 11 races.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: MISS FUSSY PANTS. Sat the trip and got up to defeat the prolific Divine Fashion in a starter allowance contest on Friday.

SECOND STAR: XCELLENT START. Rallied from last and took control in the last jump to win a West Virginia-bred allowance contest later on the Friday program.

THIRD STAR: FULL MOON LOVER. Stalked the pace and wore down odds-on choice Stryda to win a West Virginia-bred allowance dash on the opening night card on Thursday.