Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: December 15, 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: TWISTED RIDE. Parx’ Monday program was an open sprint of astakes quality at 6 1/2 furlongs. It was a wide open race, with five of the seven runners starting between 5-2 and 6-1. Pennsylvania veteran Twisted Ride claimed another victory and remained in the lead, winning by half a length. He made it to the rail and the lead from post position three and faced constant outside pressure. At one point, three horses were lined up outside for him. As they rounded the bend, Dropline took control and was half a length in front at the top of the stretch. However, Twisted Rise dug in and fended him off to win. He covered the distance on the fast track in 1:18.60. He is now 11-for-38 lifetime with earnings of $786,488 for trainer Michael Moore and breeder Kasey K Racing Stable, which co-owns with Michael Day and Final Turn Racing Stable LLC.

SECOND STAR: ARNALDO BOCACHICA. The eternal leader of Charles Town had a big day on Wednesday and rode with five winners on the nine-race card. He rode a pair of winners for the circuit’s top trainer, Anthony Farrior, winning race 3 aboard Box Office and race 9 with Professor Grace. Along the way he captured race 2 on Magic Moon Spell for trainer Gary Williams, race 4 on Ollie Figgins trainee Dip Fantasia, and race 6 with Johanna, trained by Jeff Runco. Bocachica was the leading rider at the West Virginia oval this year for the eighth year in a row, riding an impressive 196 winners from 598 horses.

THIRD STAR: BALCONY BLUE. The Maryland-bred gelding capped an impressive Charles Town race with a second-level sprint victory on Thursday, his fourth straight win at this track. He was well off the early pace in fourth place, with early leaders Hammer, Pure Panic and Frosty the Giant fleeing the others. As they rounded the final turn, Falcon Blue made a strong move from five wide and kicked past the others to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:19.61 for 6 1/2 furlongs. He is undefeated at Charles Town, where he is 4-for-4 and has an 0-for-9 record everywhere else. He is owned by Gus Pesaturo and trainer Kevin Joy and ridden by Jose Montano.

SECOND STAR: SHETALKSTOMUCH. Came from last and won a first-level sprint earlier on the Monday program; in her 64-race career, she has won eight times and been on the board 39 times.

THIRD STAR: NIXON JOY. Made a last-to-first bid himself on Tuesday, setting up an 18-1 charge in an optional claim route for starters.