Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: January 3 * The Racing Biz

MID-ATLANTIC THREE STARS: january 3

John Piassek
January 3, 2023

Plenty of racing action took place throughout the Mid-Atlantic this past week.

Here’s a look at the “three stars” of each track:

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: NIMITZ CLASS. The Robert T. Manfuso Stakes wrapped up a stakes-packed card of racing at Laurel Park on Friday. Pennsylvania-bred Nimitz Class picked up his second stakes win of the season, and his sixth win overall in 2022, with a half-length victory. Under Jevian Toledo, he tracked the pace early, then angled wide in the stretch and took his shot at the leaders. Maryland-breds Ain’t Da Beer Cold and Ournationonparade, both of whom were on the pace, fought gamely, but Nimitz Class got up for the half-length win. He’s owned by Tom Coulter and trained by Bruce Kravets.

SECOND STAR: FACTOR IT IN. This hard-knocking gray won his second stakes race of the year, and earned his fifth consecutive top-three stakes finish, in Friday’s Dave’s Friend Stakes. He broke on top, opened up a clear lead quickly, and kept his rivals at bay in a sharp 1 1/4-length victory, going six furlongs in 1:10.65. He previously won the Challedon Stakes on this track in October, and finished third in the Bold Ruler Stakes and the Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct in his prior two performances. Angel Cruz was aboard for owners Michael Scheffres and trainer Carlos Mancilla.

THIRD STAR: SWAYIN TO AND FRO. Claimed for $16,000 in late May, this South Carolina-bred filly picked up her third stakes win of the year in Friday’s Willa On the Move Stakes. She dueled on the inside with Dontletsweetfoolya, but dismissed her challenge and drew off powerfully in the stretch under regular rider Grant Whitacre. She won by 6 1/2 lengths for her first stakes win against open company. She previously won the Shine Again Stakes for fillies and mares who had not won a stakes in September, followed by the Safely Kept Stakes against 3-year-old fillies in November. She’s owned by Baxter Racing Stable and trained by Mario Serey jr.

Charles Town Races

Laurel Park picks and ponderings: March 7, 2026
We provide full-card picks and analysis for this afternoon’s races at Laurel Park.

Charles Town is currently on their winter hiatus. Live racing resumes this Wednesday, January 4.

Parx Racing

Live racing was cancelled at Parx last week due to track issues.

Region’s Best

Nimitz Class– Big win for the Pennsylvania-bred
Factor It In
Swayin To and Fro

Sky’s the limit for Skie’s Music
The improving Skie’s Music has won two straight races at Charles Town and has owner-trainer-breeder Timothy Collins thinking about stakes action.