Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: PAY BILLY. It was tougher than his Private Terms Stakes win, but Pay Billy was able to dig in and win Saturday’s Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park to secure his spot in the Preakness Stakes starting gate. On the strength of that Private Terms win, he went off as the 2-1 favorite in the 10-horse field. He made his way to the rail and the lead by the far turn, but was soon collared by Just a Fair Shake, and it looked as if that rival would overtake him late. However, Pay Billy was resurgent and fought back against that rival. He took a clear lead in the lane and drew off to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Just a Fair Shake held on for second, while Surfside Moon got up for third. Pay Billy has won three times in his last four starts, and boosted his career earnings to $234,475 with his Tesio triumph. He’s owned by RKTN Racing LLC, trained by Mike Gorham, and ridden by Raul Mena.

SECOND STAR: COMPLEXITY JANE. Two races prior on the Laurel Saturday card, Brittany Russell trainee Complexity Jane went gate-to-wire to win the Weber City Miss Stakes in her stakes debut. Overshadowed by her much-hyped stablemate Reply, Complexity Jane went off at 8-1 in the seven-horse field. She went out to the early lead under Jevian Toledo, opened up by two lengths going up the backstretch, and was clear by 3 1/2 lengths in the stretch. Reply closed well from last off the slow pace, but the wire came in time for Complexity Jane, who covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.12 for her second career victory in three starts. She’s owned by Brereton Jones.

THIRD STAR: SIGNATOR. In between the aforementioned two races, older males traveled one mile on grass in the Henry Clark Stakes. Signator, who won his grass debut last out at Tampa Bay Downs, improved to 2-for-2 on the surface with a half-length victory. He rated in seventh place early on, while leaders Ocean City and Card Trick set very honest early fractions. The leaders tired by the top of the stretch, and Signator sprung into action. He rallied five-wide and got up in the final strides over Mischevious Angel to win it. He ran the distance in 1:35.51, for an ownership group led by West Point Thoroughbreds. He’s trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by Samuel Marin.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: PAY BILLY. Capped off a big winter meet with a big win in the Tesio.

SECOND STAR: COMPLEXITY JANE. She went under the radar going into the Weber City Miss, but is now a name to watch going forward.

THIRD STAR: SIGNATOR. Made a big move to win the Henry Clark, and now looks like a contender for the Dinner Party Stakes.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: SOCIAL CHIC. Made a strong four-wide rally and got up to win Saturday’s Confucius Say Stakes.

SECOND STAR: MENDYS HONEY. Sat the trip and drew away to win Friday’s Original Gold Stakes, the first stakes race of the Charles Town season.

THIRD STAR: JUBAWITHATWIST. Found room late and got up to win his 2025 debut on Friday night, setting him up for a big 4-year-old season.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: WINDSOR GOLD. Returned to Parx from a Laurel detour and found the winner’s circle, taking an open allowance sprint on Tuesday.

SECOND STAR: HARP’S HOT CORNER. Lasted through a long duel to win his fifth race in a row on Tuesday.

THIRD STAR: SON OF THOR.