Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: February 23, 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: TAJ MAHAL. Saturday’s co-feature at Laurel Park, the Miracle Wood Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile, features an exciting stretch duel between Taj Mahal and Let’s Go Lando. The former, who broke his debut fifteen days ago, made it to the rail and the lead and maintained a clear lead as they rounded the far turn. At that point he favored Let’s Go Lando, who took a first-level win in his last start, made his move in the three-pad and looked ready to roll by. However, Taj Mahal refused to let him pass and held him at bay throughout the long run, winning by a neck on the sloppy track in 1:39.47. He is owned by the SF Racing/Starlight Racing conglomerate, trained by Brittany Russell and ridden by Sheldon Russell.

SECOND STAR: PEACH TIE. One race prior to the Laurel Saturday card the Russells teamed up to win the Wide Country Stakes, for three-year-old fillies at seven furlongs, with Peach Tie. The 3-5 favorite in the four-horse field broke from the outside post and rode three wide into the lead in the early stages. By the time they rounded the bend, she finally pushed her way in and caught up to Momaxie and Velocity Girl. Down the stretch the second favorite Law School closed in on her, but Peach Tie had more to give and held on to win by three lengths, covering the distance straight away in 1:27.80. She is a perfect 5-for-5 on dirt, including a pair of stakes wins, with her lone loss coming in the Presque Isle Debutante Stakes at Tapeta last September. She was home bred for the estate of Brereton Jones.

THIRD STAR: SERENADE ME. Some of the best fillies and mares on the Charles Town grounds met in an open match at 6 1/2 furlongs on Friday. 7-5 favorite Maggie’s Girl made it to the rail and into the lead without much trouble, with Double Spirit picking up the pace towards the rail. Breaking slowly, Serenade Me made her way to a prime stalking spot in the two-way along the back stretch, and poked her head out at the top of the stretch. Maggie’s Girl fought hard on the inside, but Serenade Me pulled away late under JD Acosta to win by two lengths. It was her first win of the year in two starts, after a narrow defeat to Miss Harriett’s last win, and her four career wins in twelve races. She ran the distance over a sloppy track in 1:20.89 for owner Tim Freitag, trainer Ryan Gillespie and jockey JD Acosta.

SECOND STAR: SHADOW SURGE. Definitely destroyed a starter optional claim field by 9 1/2 lengths over six furlongs on Wednesday to improve for 2-for-2 at the Parx meet.

THIRD STARS: ANGEL CASTILLO AND YEDSIT HAZLEWOOD. Both riders rode three winners on one card: Castillo on Monday, Hazlewood on Tuesday.