Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: February 3 * The Racing Biz

MID-ATLANTIC THREE STARS: february 3

John Piassek
February 3, 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: MR. ANTONELLI. Friday’s featured event at Laurel Park was a third-level sprint at six furlongs. Mr. Antonelli got the job done as the 11-10 favorite, winning for the third time in his last four starts. Usually on the early pace, he rated in the middle of the five-horse pack, while Tenebris set the early pace. He made a wide brush to the lead at the top of the stretch and pulled clear, crossing the wire 5 1/2 lengths in front with Seven’s Eleven second. He covered six furlongs on a good, sealed track in 112.80. The victory improved his career mark to 4-1-1 in nine starts, with earnings of $125,640. Xavier Perez was aboard for owner Morici Racing Stable LLC and trainer Diane Morici.

SECOND STAR: VEESON. Open allowance sprinters went postward in Parx’s Monday feature. Spikezone, a 12-time winner in 2024, went off as the 7-10 favorite in the 10-horse field. He broke awkwardly and rushed up to the pace. Meanwhile, Veeson, the 5-1 third choice, rated off the contested tempo towards the inside, then angled off the rail and took his shot as they entered the stretch. Spikezone fought hard, but could not get by, and Veeson pulled clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths. He’s now a seven-time winner in 24 starts, including four consecutive wins in allowance company, with earnings of $442,832. He’s owned by Chuck Russo, trained by Esteban Padilla, and ridden by Silvestre Gonzalez.

THIRD STAR: DUNCAN IDAHO. The Wednesday feature at Charles Town was an open 4 1/2-furlong allowance for West Virginia-breds. Duncan Idaho, the winner of last year’s Dash for Cash Breeders’ Classic and It’s Only Money Stakes, made his 2025 debut a winning one. He rated off pacesetters Honeyquist and Jefferson Native while wide, then moved for the front on the turn. He got up to win by a half-length over Honeyquist, who managed to hold second. He’s a full brother to stakes winners Muad’dib, Late Night Pow Wow, and Overnight Pow Wow, and has now begun to carve out a legacy of his own, with 11 wins and earnings of $265,449. He’s owned by David Raim, trained by Jeff Runco, and ridden by Arnaldo Bocachica.

Laurel Park

Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: February 3
Your five-minute read to catch up on all the Mid-Atlantic racing action you may have missed over the weekend…

FIRST STAR: MR. ANTONELLI. Sat his trip and won impressively in the off going.

SECOND STAR: JAIME RODRIGUEZ. Turned in back-to-back riding hat tricks on Saturday and Sunday.

THIRD STARS: BRITTANY RUSSELL AND SHELDON RUSSELL. Teamed up for four winners on the racing week, including three on Saturday, all with maidens.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: DUNCAN IDAHO. Wednesday’s win was the perfect springboard to a potentially big season.

SECOND STAR: ELLIE’S BOYFRIEND. Led for every step to take a starter allowance contest on Thursday, for his fifth victory in his last eight starts.

THIRD STAR: VALID REASON. Lasted through pace pressure and drew off to win a first-level dash on Thursday.