Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: February 9, 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: HOLLYWOOD IMPORT. The Spectacular Bid Stakes at Laurel Park, originally scheduled for Jan. 31, was postponed until last Wednesday due to frigid temperatures. It turned out to be worth the wait, because the 3-year-olds Hollywood Import and Close the Gate were working on a thriller. The former, sent off as one of three 5-2 co-favourites, set the early pace on the rail, while the latter was in constant pursuit. As they rounded the bend, Close the Gate stuck its nose out and looked ready to pass. However, Hollywood Import refused to go down without a fight. The two dueled around the track, with Hollywood Import eventually gaining the upper hand by three-quarters of a length. Gary Capuano’s trainee has now won two consecutive stakes races, following his victory in the Heft Stakes on December 27. He ran seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:26.36 with JG Torrealba for owner Pocket 3’s Racing LLC.

SECOND STAR: VICTORY MUSIC. Half an hour earlier on the Laurel Wednesday card, a competitive field of seven three-year-old fillies met in the Xtra Heat Stakes over six furlongs. Victory Music, the slight 5-2 favorite, won neck-and-side after another exciting duel. She battled on the pace early in the two-way, chasing early leader For the Ladies. Bresha, who enjoyed a perfect trip of the duel, put himself half a length ahead down the stretch, but Victory Music did not back down. She fought back and had the upper hand, with Bresha having to settle for second place. The winner ran the distance in 1:13.72 for breeder/owner Three Diamonds Farm and trainer Mike Maker with Angel Cruz on board.

THIRD STAR: COUNTERSPIECE. The feature at Parx was an open sprint at six furlongs. Counterspy rode the rail to victory in a 14-1 loss. He moved to the back of the pack on the inside in the early stages, as Bernie’s Mitts, Twisted Ride and Buccherino challenged each other for command. Francisco Martinez briefly pushed Counterspy off the rail in the stretch, but when he saw no racing space, he turned his mount back to the rail and moved into the lead. He prevailed by three-quarters of a length, while Buccherino held on to second place. Maximus Meridius, dismissed as the 7-10 favorite in back-to-back stakes wins, came up empty and finished fifth. The winner ran three-quarters of a mile in 1:09.67 for owner Jack Armstrong and trainer Robert Mosco.

SECOND STAR: HARP’S HOT CORNER. Shook off a pace challenger and crushed a first-level sprint field by six lengths

THIRD STAR: MALIBU WARRIOR. Thursday a route match at the first level upset at 31-1.