Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: KOSHER COWBOY. The Friday feature at Charles Town was an open allowance dash at 4 1/2 furlongs. Kosher Cowboy, who capped his 2024 season with back-to-back wins at Mountaineer and Charles Town, made his 2025 debut a winning one with a sharp 7 3/4-length win. The 3-10 favorite broke on top and quickly opened up a long lead. None of his five rivals had any hope of catching him, and he crossed the wire as much the best, stopping the clock in 51.30 seconds. He’s now 10-for-23 lifetime with earnings of $193,207, and will certainly be a threat in 4 1/2-furlong races for the rest of the year. He’s owned by L.A. Racing Inc, trained by Claudie Godsey, and ridden by Arnaldo Bocachica.

SECOND STAR: PARADISE VALLEY. The Sunday feature at Laurel Park was a third-level contest at 5 1/2 furlongs. Paradise Valley had faced better in his last few starts, but relished the class drop and won by a length with a strong last-to-first rally. He moved to the center of the track in the stretch and easily mowed down his rivals under Silvestre Gonzalez. He crossed the $200,000 mark in earnings with that victory, for owner Pewter Stable and trainer Kate Demasi.

THIRD STAR: MARSHALL MENDEZ. Mendez had a huge night on Saturday at Charles Town, racking up four wins in five mounts. He started his night with a victory in race 1, winning with Peggy’s Way for trainer Jean Adorno. He completed the early double in race 2 aboard John Carlisle trainee Thewitchisgone, and improved to 3-for-3 on the evening in race 5 with Dee Dee Six, trained by Robert Cipriano. In race 7, Mendez completed the grand slam, riding home Stryda for trainer Anthony Farrior. Mendez sits in second place in the Charles Town jockey standings, with 16 victories in 72 mounts.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: PARADISE VALLEY. Swooped the group and got the job done in the Sunday feature.

SECOND STAR: ST. JUDE. Sat the trip and got up to win a first-level sprint on Monday in impressive fashion.

THIRD STAR: S S SINATRA. Fought hard in a stretch battle and prevailed in a Maryland-restricted allowance sprint on Friday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: KOSHER COWBOY. He looks like he’ll be a force to be reckoned with at Charles Town this year.

SECOND STAR: MARSHALL MENDEZ. One of Charles Town’s leading riders was the star of the show on Saturday.

THIRD STAR: STRYDA. Mendez’s fourth win came on this West Virginia-bred veteran mare, who crushed the field by five lengths for her 10th career win in 20 starts.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: IN SPADES. Lasted through constant pace pressure to win a first-level route on Monday for owner/trainer Felissa Dunn and rider Mychel Sanchez.

SECOND STAR: HARRIGAN. Sat the trip and drew away to beat first-level rivals on Wednesday; this Michael Pino-trained 3-year-old improved to 2-for-2 in the process.

THIRD STAR: IKE’S GAMBLE. Captured a starter optional claiming contest on Tuesday for his third win in his last four starts.