Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: November 24, 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: BARBADIAN RUNNER. The Maryland-bred, Henry Walters-trained gelding continued a sensational season Saturday at Laurel Park. He advanced in the 1 ⅛ mile Richard W. Small Stakes against five rivals, seeking his sixth stakes victory of the year. Unusually for him he was sent off as 2-5 favourite. He made good on that promise with a 4 ¼ length victory. Regular rider Forest Boyce assessed him early in the midpack and asked him to do his best in the far corner. He easily powered his way past early leader Secret Zipper and cruised to victory, covering the distance on a muddy track in 1:53.40. The presumptive Maryland-bred three-year-old male champion, bred by Shamrock Farm and owned by AJ Will Win Stables LLC, increased his season record to 6-of-11 and his lifetime record to 7-of-19, with career earnings of $790,630.

SECOND STAR: PETINGAS TWIN. The Dave’s Friend Stakes at Laurel on Saturday attracted a small but prestigious field of six. Petingas Twin, who was the last to win in a stakes quality race, finally broke through for his first career win thanks to a fantastic ride from Yedsit Hazlewood. The four-year-old gelding raced to the back of the pack early on, then moved behind the lead at the top of the stretch and pulled to within a length and a half of the front. Prince of Jericho was clear of his rivals within eighth pole on his first start since February, but Hazlewood got on his horse and ate into the margin as the wire drew closer. The two crossed the line together and the photo finish camera showed that Petinga’s Twin had the upper hand by a nose. He covered six furlongs in a time of 1:12.08 for owner James Wolf and trainer Anthony Farrior, paying $6.40 to win as a slight 2-1 favorite.

THIRD STAR: GRAMMY GIRL. The first stakes affair on Laurel’s Saturday card, the Willa On the Move Stakes for fillies and fillies, was reduced to a field of five. Takethemoneyhoney was a heavy favourite, making her long-awaited first start since May, making a strong move forward at the top of the stretch and looking set to pull away from her rivals. However, New York forwarder Grammy Girl made a similar move in and refused to let Takethemoneyhoney pass. The two had an exciting duel down the stretch, but Grammy Girl fended off Takethemoneyhoney and won by a nose. It was the first stakes win for the 4-year-old Saffie Joseph-trained filly, who improved her career record to 5-for-18 lifetime with earnings of $286,050. She is owned by Red Storm Stable, Miller Racing LLC and Flower Power Stables and was ridden by Mychel Sanchez.

SECOND STAR: JAMIE NESS. On Wednesday he completed a natural hat-trick with the victory of his homebred Guaponess.

THIRD STAR: PATTY CAKES. Won a conditioned claim route with open lengths on Tuesday; she has now won three times a year and been on the board twelve times in a row.