Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: OTAGO. The Cliff Hanger Stakes for older males at 1 1/16 miles on grass headlined the Saturday card at Monmouth Park. Axel Concepcion, a recent addition to the Monmouth riding colony, immediately acquainted himself with the track with a half-length victory with Otago. The 12-1 shot sat towards the back of the pack on the rail in the early stages, and continued to save ground around the final turn. As they approached the stretch run, Concepcion angled his mount into the three-path and made his move after the leaders. Forever Souper, sent off as the 8-5 favorite despite finishing behind Otago at Laurel Park last out, opened up by 1 1/2 lengths in the stretch, but Otago was able to wear him down and win it. He’s owned by Crown’s Way Racing LLC, NBS Stable, Edward Delava, and Eli Diamant, and trained by Kelsey Danner.

SECOND STAR: SPALLIDAY. One day later at Monmouth, fillies and mares took to the grass for the 1 1/16-mile Miss Liberty Stakes. Spalliday, amking her second start of the season, also came from off the pace, following cover and making a strong rally in the stretch under Samuel Marin to win by 2 1/2 lengths. She ran the distance on a firm course in 1:43.35 for owner Peter Brant and trainer Chad Brown.

THIRD STAR: COPPER TAX. Wednesday’s feature at Delaware Park, an open allowance sprint at six furlongs, was headlined by the 4-year-old debut of Copper Tax. The Gary Capuano trainee won three stakes races last year, and hadn’t raced since a fourth-place effort in the Bob Manfuso Stakes at the end of December. He drafted in fifth place early on and got a perfect setup, as early leaders Sunny Breeze and Altobelli dueled themselves into oblivion. Copper Tax rallied to win by 1 1/4 lengths, with 58-1 Shake Em Loose rallying for second and favored Spikezone getting third. Copper Tax ran the distance in 1:11.92, with J.G. Torrealba aboard for owner Rose Petal Stable LLC.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: BELLE OF RIGHTS. Surged late to win a second-level grass route for fillies and mares in the last jump on Saturday, for the Shug McGaughey/Forest Boyce trainer/jockey combo.

SECOND STAR: MISSION NORTH. Cruised by early leader Coringa to win his 2025 flat debut, a first-level grass route, on Sunday; he’s already a stakes winner over jumps this season.

THIRD STAR: DEVIL PAYS IN GOLD. Made a four-wide move and kicked on to win a second-level sprint for fillies and mares on Friday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: CATCH THE HUMOR. Last year’s Russell Road Breeders’ Classic winner made a bold rush to the lead and drew away to crush an allowance field on Friday night with included Runaldo.

SECOND STAR: XCELLENT START. Rallied from last to defeat a salty West Virginia-bred allowance field in a 21-1 upset on Saturday, helping trigger a pick 5 carryover to Thursday.

THIRD STAR: ZIP START. In his first start since winning the Casey Memorial Stakes in November, he swept to the front and drew away to capture a West Virginia-bred non-winners of three allowance to kick off the Thursday card.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: COPPER TAX. His victory on Wednesday may serve as a launching pad for bigger and better things this season.

SECOND STAR: DONE ENOUGH. Set the pace and opened up late to win a second-level sprint on Saturday.

THIRD STAR: CENTRAL CASTING. Won her third race of the year on Wednesday in a first-level sprint, taking them gate-to-wire under Jaime Rodriguez.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: OTAGO. A strong late.move proved the difference in a Cliff Hanger victory.

SECOND STAR: SPALLIDAY. A great ride earned her the win in the Miss Liberty, and now looks well-situated for the rest of the Monmouth season.

THIRD STAR: WILDNCRAZYNIGHT. Dug in and held on to win a Jersey-bred sprint on Sunday.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: GUN COLLECTOR. Lasted on the pace and drew away to beat a second-level Pennsylvania-bred allowance sprint on Monday.

SECOND STAR: LIGHT FOREVER. Drew away to win a first-level route for 3-year-olds by eight lengths at 12-1 on Monday.

THIRD STAR: FREAKAZOID. Crushed a starter optional claiming group by 8 3/4 lengths on Wednesday.