Central Atlantic Three Stars: August 18, 2025 * The Racing Biz

A lot of racing promotion took place in the Middle Atlantic last week.

Here is a look at the “three stars” of each song:

Regions best

First Star: Surface to Air. Fresh from his upset victory in the Monmouth Park of July 19, another surprise came to the air in Monmouth on Saturday when he won the Philip Islin Stakes with three -quarters of a length. Just like in the Monmouth Cup when he only defeated a touch, Surface to Air had to deal with another well-claimed Brad Cox-Train Rival in the first mission. He judged the pace in the third on the rear streets, then made his move at the last turn and kicked the first mission. That rival continued in the play, but surface to the air had to give and hold more, and covered 1 1/16 miles in 1.44.47. He has now earned 682,054 in his 11-race career, with more than 405,000 of that this year. He is owned by Premier Stable, trained by Panagiotis Synnefias and driven by Samuel Marin.

Second star: Mission North. Maryland and Virginia-restricted grass runners were central to Colonial Downs in the Find Stakes of Saturday. Gigante went off as the even choice in the field with five horses, but turned out to be no party for Mission North in Maryland-Fokkt. The intern of Jack Fisher broke through for his victory of the first bet on the flat and won with half a length after a great journey from close to the pace. He improved to 4-out-5 in the year, with his victories, including the Speedy Smithwick Memorial Stakes about fences in Great Meadow in May. He is a homeboard for Northwoods stable by Forest Boyce.

Third star: Dazzling lady. Six 2-year-old mares traveled a mile in Sunday’s Sorority Stakes in Monmouth Park. Dazzling Lady, who broke her girl on 5/2 Furlongs on debut in Laurel Park in June, easily treated the extra distance of the women’s club and won with two lengths in gate-to-wire style. She broke at the top from the inside under Jevian Toledo and never gave the lead, although second place Spitfire was cut somewhat late in the margin. Dazzling Dame improved to 2-from-2 lifetime, with a profit of 87,000. She was bred in Maryland by Maria Haure and is owned by respect The Valleys, LLC and trained by Brittany Russell.