Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: ROMINSKI. Rominski showed no signs of rust in his first start off a nine-month layoff on Sunday, taking a third-level six-furlong sprint by 1 1/4 lengths. Sent off as the 7-10 favorite in the seven-horse field, he broke on top and quickly made the rail and the lead under Sheldon Russell. He received a mild challenge in the stretch from No Easy Days, but he had more to give in the stretch, and held on to win comfortably. It marked his fifth victory in a row, and eighth in his last nine starts, boosting his career earnings to $413,964. By Northview stallion Great Notion and bred by Northview’s David Wade, he’s owned by the Elkstone Group LLC and trained by Brittany Russell.

SECOND STAR: WINDSOR GOLD. The Thursday feature at Parx was an open allowance sprint at seven furlongs. Spikezone, a 12-time winner last year, went off as the 2-5 favorite. It looked like he would add another victory to his resume at the top of the stretch, as he held a two-length lead and was going strong. However, 2-1 second choice Windsor Gold, who rated off the pace on the inside, rallied late and got up in the last few strides to win by a neck. This was his first win of the year in two starts, and his seventh lifetime victory in 28 tries, with earnings of $410,480. He was bred in Pennsylvania by Shooting Star Stable and is owned by Hardesty Stable, trained by Michel Moore, and ridden by Andrew Wolfsont.

THIRD STAR: CATALEYA STRIKE. Third-level routers met in the Friday feature at Laurel Park. Late-running Cataleya Strike bounced back from a fourth-place effort in the John Campbell Stakes to win this event by a neck. He drafted in third place early on behind loose leader Regalo, dropped back to fifth on the final turn, and rerallied in the stretch. He had to outkick fellow closer Union Fleet to secure the victory, but was able to do so and win. He covered 1 1/16 miles in 1 47.01, for owner J R Sanchez Racing Stable, trainer Rudy Sanchez-Salomon, and jockey Jevian Toledo.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: ROMINSKI. Started off what could be a big 2025 on a winning note.

SECOND STAR: CATALEYA STRIKE. Made a successful move from off the pace to beat a nice field.

THIRD STAR: EXPLORATION. This promising 4-year-old fended off a late challenge to win a first-level sprint on Saturday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: DUNCAN IDAHO. Rallied from well off the pace to beat an open allowance field at 4 1/2 furlongs on Wednesday.

SECOND STAR: UNCLE CHINITO. Battled for the lead and drew off to win a first-level dash on Thursday, upsetting heavily favored Pork Chop Pete in an impressive performance.

THIRD STAR: WISH FOR PEACE. Rallied from last to win a first-level contest going away on Saturday.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: WINSDOR GOLD. Wore down a local superstar in a statement win.

SECOND STAR: HARPER’S HOT CORNER. Made it six wins in a row on Tuesday, upsetting heavily favored Maximus Meridius to win a Pennsylvania-bred allowance by a head.

THIRD STAR: PACO LOPEZ. Rode home four winners on the Tuesday program.