Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: February 16, 2026 * 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: POINT DUME. This 5-year-old gelding continued his strong performance in Saturday’s co-feature at Laurel Park, the General George Stakes. After an exciting win in the Fire Plug Handicap, he went away as third choice at 5-1 in the five-horse field. Last year’s winner Quint’s Brew was the 3-5 favorite, while reigning Maryland Million Sprint champion Slam Notion was the 3-1 second choice. However, Point Dume kept them all at bay. He broke well, made the early lead and kept winning by 3 3/4 lengths. Blue Kingdom rallied on the inside for second, while Quint’s Brew, chasing the early leader, held on for third. Point Dume has now won 10 times in 30 starts, including four times in his last six races, and has earned $551,900 lifetime earnings. He is owned by Bush Racing Stable, trained by Tim Kreiser and ridden by Angel Cruz.

SECOND STAR: EAST PASSAGE. The other stakes race at Laurel on Saturday, the Barbara Fritchie Stakes, was a thriller. Passage Oost scored a mild 5-1, disrupted by a nose. 3-10 favorite Takethemoneyhoney put pressure on early leader Dry Powder, while Passage East took a few lengths off the leaders. Takethemoneyhoney looked ready to take control and open up at the top of the stretch while throwing away Dry Powder, but Passage East made her move at the same time, not wanting to go down without a fight. The two dueled down the stretch, with Takethemoneyhoney steady on the railing and Passage East steady on her outside. Passage East finally got her nose on the wire first for her eighth victory in her last nine starts. Sheldon Russell replaced owner Larry Rabold and trainer Hugh McMahon.

THIRD STAR: ATLANTIS QUEEN. The first stakes of the day at Laurel on Saturday, the Nellie Morse Stakes, once again went to Atlantis Queen. She broke from post position six and raced off the pace in the middle of the track in the early stages, while Late Nite Call set the early pace and the 6-5 favorite Complexity Jane pulled just ahead of her in second place. Despite her long trip, Atlantis Queen still had plenty of energy left going into the final turn, and she pulled away to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Sultry Lass came back off the pace for second, while Late Nite Call took third over Complexity Jane. She is now 3-for-16 lifetime, including two wins in her last three races, with earnings of $158,755. Pocket 3’s Racing is the winning owner, Gary Capuano the winning trainer and Yedsit Hazlewood the winning rider.

SECOND STAR: MYCHEL SANCHEZ. Four winners rode on the Tuesday program; he is the leading rider at the meet so far with 19 wins, more than double the next best total.

THIRD STAR: NO EASY DAYS. He continued his hot streak with a second-level sprint win on Wednesday; the 6-year-old gelding has alternated between first and second place finishes in his last eight starts.