Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: DUNCAN IDAHO. An intriguing open allowance field met in Saturday’s featured contest at Charles Town. Off a gigantic victory in his prior start, Kosher Cowboy went off as the 3-5 favorite in the eight-horse field. However, Duncan Idaho’s class shone through, as he made it 3-for-3 on the year and 13-for-20 lifetime with a 2 1/4-length win. He made the front from post position two, and was pressed to his outside by Kosher Cowboy. The two remained locked in battle on the turn, but Duncan Idaho shook off his rival and pulled clear late for the win, covering 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.49 seconds. 60-1 shot Golden G got up for second, while Kosher Cowboy finished third. Duncan Idaho won two stakes races last year, and looks primed for West Virginia-bred stakes season this year. He’s owned by David Raim, trained by Jeff Runco, and ridden by Arnaldo Bocachica.

SECOND STAR: S S SINATRA. Off a brutal nose defeat in the Not For Love Stakes a few weeks ago, S S Sinatra was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in Saturday’s feature race at Laurel Park, a second-level contest at 5 1/2 furlongs. He was once again pressed on the pace, in this case by longshot Heaven’s Got Fire. That rival put a half-length in front on the far turn and remained in front in the stretch, but S S Sinatra fought back and took the lead. Bouncer came from off the pace and surged late, however, the wire came in time for S S Sinatra, who won by a neck. The 5-yeear-old gelding has now won four times in 16 starts, and and finished in the top three 12 times. Angel Cruz had the winning mount for owner 3 Reasons Racing and trainer Kerry Hohlbein.

THIRD STAR: PACO LOPEZ. Lopez had a big day at Parx on Tuesday, riding home four winners in five mounts. After finishing unplaced in race 2, he found the winner’s circle in race 3, riding home Biagio for trainer Robert Mosco. He followed it up with a victory in race 7 aboard Speightster Red, trained by Michael Pino, completed the hat trick in race 8 with J. Guerrero trainee Rock Me Gently, and made it a grand slam in the 9th race on Thegoddessofsnakes, trained by Scott Lake. Lopez is in second place in the Parx rider standings, with 23 wins from 99 mounts.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: S S SINATRA. Ran nother big race to prevail on Saturday.

SECOND STAR: DISCREET OPS. Made her first start off a two-month break a winning one on Sunday, winning a second-level sprint going a away.

THIRD STAR: SLAM NOTION. Finally put it together to beat first-level rivals impressively on Sunday; he could make some noise in local 3-yer-old stakes later this year.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: DUNCAN IDAHO. He’s already had a big 2025, and looked primed to add to his growing resume.

SECOND STAR: YOUTHINKTHATSFUNNY. Earned her first win of the year in dominant fashion on Friday, taking a West Virginia-bred allowance dash by four lengths after battling for the early lead.

THIRD STAR: LIGHTNIN RUNNER. This stakes-winning mare made her first start off an eight-month layoff on Thursday and found the winner’s circle, drawing way to take a first-level West Virginia-bred sprint.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: PACO LOPEZ. Continued a sostrong Parx meet with a big day on Tuesday.

SECOND STAR: KENTUCKY OUTLAW. Improved to 2-for-2 lifetime on Wednesday with a sharp 5 3/4-length win in a first-level route.

THIRD STAR: BIG BOYS ANSWER. Piked up his second win in three starts on the year on Wednesday, crushing a first-level sprint field by 6 1/2 lengths.