Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: MIA’S CRUSADE. The lone stakes race of the week in the Mid-Atlantic was Friday’s Pinot Grigio Handicap at the Meadowlands. Mia’s Crusade, a 4-year-old Jersey-bred filly bred by Diane Boyken, picked up her third stakes win of the year by a half-length. She drafted just off the pace in the early stages of the five-furlong contest, then battled with early leader Amazing Graces Joy in the stretch and got by her late. She previously won the Spruce Fir Handicap and the Eleven North Handicap at Monmouth Park, as she boosted her season bankroll to $162,750 and her lifetime tally to $350,781. Jomar Torres was aboard for owners Joseph Ioia, Gayle Ioia, and Chuck Spina, who also trains.

SECOND STAR: DIVINE FASHION. This 4-year-old Maryland-bred daughter of Country Life Farm stallion Divining Rod picked up her eighth win of the year at Charles Town on Friday, placing her in a tie for second in the national win standings. Sent off as the 7-5 favorite in her first start since July 29, she saved ground towards the back of the pack most of the way, then made her move on the final turn and got by to win by 1 3/4 lengths. She won her first two starts of the year, lost her next four, and since then has won six times in seven starts. Only Big and Classy, with eight victories, and Fayette Warrior, with nine wins, have made it to the winner’s circle more times this year. She’s owned by Richard Burnsworth, trained by Anthony Farrior, and ridden by Arnaldo Bocachica.

THIRD STAR: BRITTANY RUSSELL. Maryland’s preeminent trainer had a big day on Saturday, with three victories. She picked up her first win of the day in race 3, as first-time starter Chicken Parm prevailed with Sheldon Russell aboard for owners Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Racing, and Brereton Jones. One race later, P J’s Rider just held on after opening up a long lead, completing the double with Jevian Toledo aboard for NET Racing, Michael Dubb, First Row Partners, and Team Hanley. Russell secured the hat trick in race 8, as Cap Classique and Toledo won by 7 1/4 lengths for DARRS Inc. Through the first seven days of the fall season, Russell has won seven races from 22 starters to pace thee training standings.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: BRITTANY RUSSELL. The change of venue from Pimlico to Laurel hasn’t slowed her down one bit.

SECOND STAR: BROTHER CONWAY. Impressively beat a first-level allowance field on Thursday with a sparkling Beyer figure of 91.

THIRD STARS: JEIRON BARBOSA/CHARLIE MARQUEZ. Both these riders turned hat tricks this week: Marquez on Thursday, Barbosa on Friday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: DIVINE FASHION. She’ll try to make it nine wins on the year in Saturday’s Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap.

SECOND STAR: JAYJAYDEE. Made it six wins on the year with a starter allowance win later on the Friday card.

THIRD STAR: ARNALDO BOCACHICA. Won seven races on the week, six of them for Anthony Farrior.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: BOSS LOGIC. Beat a second-level allowance optional claiming field on Thursday for his fifth victory of the year and third win in a row.

SECOND STAR: CAIRO SUGAR. Fought hard after stalking the pace to beat a second-level field for the girls on Friday.

THIRD STAR: AMERICAN PATROL. Earned his first victory of the season with a sharp gate-to-wire starter optional claiming win on Wednesday.

Meadowlands

FIRST STAR: MIA’S CRUSADE. Affirmed her status as queen of the Jersey-breds on Friday.

SECOND STAR: MICHAEL DINI. Earned a training double on Friday, sweeping the first two races.

THIRD STARS: JAIRON RENDON/JAIME TORRES. Both riders won a pair of contests on Friday.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: ROB THE RICH. Got elevated to victory via DQ on Monday in a second-level allowance optional claiming dash, for his third victory of the year and second in a row.

SECOND STAR: DREAM CONCERT. Upset odds-on choice Flor de Sombra with a determined allowance optional claiming win earlier on Monday, making it three wins in her last five races.

THIRD STAR: BRETT’S WORLD. Finally broke through for his first win of 2023 in a starter allowance stretch duel on Wednesday, winning at 14-1.