Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: QUINT’S BREW. Rising Maryland-bred star Quint’s Brew picked up his second career stakes victory at Laurel Park on Saturday, taking the General George Stakes by 5 1/2 lengths. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite off an impressive victory in the Jennings Stakes last out, he pressed Prince of Jericho from that rivals outside, then moved to the front on the turn while under minimal urging from Mychel Sanchez. He splashed away to an easy victory on a track labeled “good” but quickly taking on moisture. He covered seven furlongs in 1:23.76, good for a Beyer speed figure of 99. He’s one of two horses to earn two Beyers of at least 98 this year. He’s a homebred for owners Paul Berube, Karen Linnell, and Heather Hunter, and trained by Ned Allard.

SECOND STAR: IRISH MAXIMA. Breaking through the gate before a race is usually a bad sign, but it didn’t slow Irish Maxima down one bit. The 3-10 favorite, coming off ah impressive win in the Mrs. Claus Stakes at Parx last out, easily made the early lead under Frankie Pennington. She was never in danger of losing from.there, and hit the wire two lengths in front. She ran seven furlongs on the good going in 1:25.38, for her second stakes win in as many starts on this track, following a win in last September’s Weather Vane Stakes. She’s owned by Irish Three Racing LLC and trained by John Servis.

THIRD STAR: SPEEDYNESS. After a series of defeats after setting the pace going two turns in stakes company, Speedyness broke through to win Saturday’s John Campbell Stakes at Laurel Park. He went straight to the rail and the lead under Mychel Sanchez, and despite consistent pressure from favored Offaly Cool, fended him off to win by 1 1/2 lengths. It was the second stakes win of his career, following a win in last February’s Miracle Wood Stakes. He was stakes-placed four times in the interim. He’s a Maryland-bred homebred for trainer Jamie Ness.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: QUINT’S BREW. He’s the fourth Maryland-bred in a row to win the General George; might we see him in the Carter next?

SECOND STAR: IRISH MAXIMA. Another top local sprinter who may also try tougher waters later in the year.

THIRD STAR: SPEEDYNESS. Finally secured the elusive two-turn stakes win in the Campbell.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: SARAH’S CANDY CAMP. Rising West Virginia-bred star continued his ascension on Saturday with a sharp 2 3/4-length win against second-level rivals.

SECOND STAR: HAMMER. Won an allowance contest in gate-to-wire fashion by seven lengths on Thursday, in his second start off a 6 1/2-month layoff.

THIRD STAR: SOUL CATCHER. Came from the back of the pack and got up to win a solid West Virginia-bred allowance contest on Saturday.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: MYCHEL SANCHEZ. In addition to his win on Quint’s Brew, Sanchez had a big day at Parx on Monday, riding home four winners.

SECOND STAR: BELLA QUEEN. Battled on the pace and drew off to beat a first-level field of sprinters on Tuesday.

THIRD STAR: BERNIE’S MITTS. Led for every step to take a first-level route on Wednesday, upsetting odds-on favorite Big Boys Answer, who rallied from last.