Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: January 20 * The Racing Biz

MID-ATLANTIC THREE STARS: january 20

John Piassek
January 20, 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

Quint’s Brew dominated the field in Saturday’s Jennings Stakes. Photo by Jerry Dzierwinski.

FIRST STAR: QUINT’S BREW. Saturday’s Jennings Stakes at Laurel Park marked a test for Quint’s Brew. It was his first start in 6 1/2 months, and only the fourth race of his career. However, he showed no signs of rust. He pressed early leader Speedyness, then took control entering the stretch. Despite drifting a bit as he approached the finish, he drew off from the rest and crossed the wire six lengths in front. He covered a mile on a fast track in 1:37.53, good for a 99 Beyer speed figure. That’s one point faster than multiple graded stakes winner Hit Show ran in the Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds later that day. Quint’s Brew is a Maryland-bred homebred for Paul Berube, Karen Linnell, and Heather Hunter. Ned Allard is the winning trainer; Mychel Sanchez the winning pilot.

SECOND STAR: PRINCE OF JERICHO. Two races later, local sprint veteran Prince of Jericho returned to the winner’s circle with a 2 3/4-length win in the Fire Plug Stakes. Sent off as the 6-5 favorite from the inside post, he dueled with longshot No Easy Days, then put him away, shook off another challenge from On the Mark, and drew off for the victory. He’s now 7-for-19 lifetime, and 7-for-15 at Laurel Park, with earnings of $507,450. Sheldon Russell was up for owners Michael Dubb and Morris Bailey and trainer Brittany Russell.

THIRD STAR: MS. BUCCHERO. In between those two races, Ms. Bucchero picked up her second stakes win in a row in the What a Summer Stakes, thanks to a well-managed ride by Xavier Perez. She broke on top and was sent directly to the lead by Perez. She opened up a clear lead and was in front by three at the top of the stretch. Although her strides shortened late, she had just enough left in the tank to hold off St. Benedict’s Prep, and hit the wire a nose in front. She won the Willa On the Move Stakes on this track in hier previous start, and was second in the Alma North Stakes last July. She’s 8-for-15 in her career with earnings of $324,950. She’s owned by Morici Racing Stable LLC and trained by Diane Morici.

Laurel Park

Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: January 20
Your five-minute read to catch up on all the Mid-Atlantic racing action you may have missed over the weekend…

FIRST STAR: QUINT’S BREW. Ran a huge race in the Jennings and set himself up for a big year.

SECOND STAR: PRINCE OF JERICHO. Laurel-loving gelding lasted in the Fire Plug despite pace pressure.

THIRD STAR: MS. BUCCHERO. She’s been in great form lately and looms as one of the Fritchie favorites.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: FULL IRISH. Scratched from the Fire Plug, he made a strong move to the front and got up to win a second-level sprint on Saturday.

SECOND STAR: FLOWER MOUND. Went gate-to-wire to defeat second-level rivals earlier on the Saturday program, for her second straight win.

THIRD STAR: DORADO. Javier Contreras homebred wore down early leader Break the Chains to take a West Virginia-bred allowance contest on Thursday, for his second consecutive win.