Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: December 1, 2025 * The Racing Biz

There was a lot of racing action in the Mid-Atlantic this past week.

Here’s a look at each song’s “three stars”:

THE BEST IN THE REGION

FIRST STAR: CALL ME SOON. Parx organized five stake races on Wednesday, three of which were for open company. The Turkey Trot Stakes, for older men at a mile and 70 metres, headed to Call Me Fast in an exciting battle. He had a great ride in the early stages, finishing fourth at a fast pace as he raced on the rail. As they rounded the far corner, Mychel Sanchez put Call Me Fast into a four-lane road and looked ready to roll by. However, Ninetypercentmaddie dug in after racing in the lead, and the two battled to the wire. Call Me Fast managed to squeak by in the last few jumps; he was never more than a head in front as far as the barbed wire. After starting the season 0-for-5, Call Me Fast has now won consecutive races and is 5-for-29 lifetime with career earnings of just under $600,000. He ran the distance over a sloppy track in 1:41.73. He is trained by Jamie Ness, who co-owns him with Madison Avenue Racing Stable Inc and Morris Kernan Jr.

SECOND STAR: LARGEST SOUTH. Wednesday’s card at Parx concluded with the Let’s Give Thanks Stakes, with a field of seven older men covering 6 ½ furlongs. Maximus Meridius, after a second place in the last out of the Parx Sprint, held on through an early duel and won by a head. He struggled with the pace of Bernie’s Mitts, posting an opening quarter in 22.56 and a first half of 45.19. Bernie’s Mitts stopped poorly and finished the track, but Maximus Meridius had more to give and opened two lengths late. Howgreatisnate cut into the margin in the closing stages, but the thread came in time for Maximus Meridius, who stopped the timer in 1:16.06. It is his second win of the year, following victory in Aqueduct’s Toboggan Stakes in January, and his third overall win of the year and seventh lifetime win. Sanchez was also aboard this one for owners LC Racing LLC, Cash is King LLC and Wellesley Stable and trainer Butch Reid.

THIRD STAR: ALANI. Earlier on Wednesday’s card at Parx, fillies and mares competed over 6 ½ furlongs in the Cornucopia Stakes. Alani continued her busy season with a two-length win, her sixth of the year in 12 starts. She was sent off as the 5-2 second choice in the nine-horse field and dueled with favorite Mega Mil all the way, including half a mile in a blistering 44.76. Mega Mil himself rode a competitive race and held on to second place, but Alani kept going and won. She has been remarkably consistent throughout her career, hitting 15 exacta in 19 starts. She is owned by Hardesty Stable and Michael Day, trained by Michael Moore and ridden by Andy Hernandez.

SECOND STAR: LARGEST SOUTH. Called on all his heart and class for the victory of Let’s Give Thanks.

THIRD STAR: ALANI. An impressive year continued with her victory in the Cornucopia.