Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: FOREVER CHOCOLATE. Jersey-bred older males traveled one mile in Sunday’s feature race at Monmouth Park, the Friendly Lover Handicap. Forever Chocolate pulled the 8-1 upset under Paco Lopez. He rated off the pace on the inside, then took control at the top of the stretch. He had to deal with a pair of late challenges in Great Navigator and and Last Romance, but fended them off to secure a 1 1/4-length victory. It was his third career win, and first stakes victory, in 21 lifetime starts. The Janet Laszlo homebred is trained by Rory Huston.

SECOND STAR: O’CONNER SUNSET. Top open allowance horses met in Saturday’s feature at Charles Town over 6 1/2 furlongs. Hammer went off as the 3-5 favorite in the eight-horse field, and got caught up in a blazing duel with Judgment Day from his inside. The pair zoomed through an opening quarter in 22.79 and a first half of 45.64. Second choice Social Chic and 36-1 O’Conner Sunset made their moves after the embattled pair on the turn. Hammer gamely hun on to the lead, but O’Conner Sunset proved too much and got up to win by a half-length, with Hammer holding on for second and Social Chic third. It was O’Conner Sunset’s first win of the year in four starts, and hsi first victory at Charles Town since March 2024. He’s owned by Arkofa Farm, trained by Michael Jones, and ridden by J.D. Acosta.

THIRD STAR: ON THE MARK. Friday’s feature race at Laurel Park, a third-level contest at six furlongs, looked like a showdown between favored Haileysfirstnotion and Augusta Melody. However, On the Mark took advantage of a contested pace and rallied wide under Tais Lyapustina to win by a head in a 10-1 upset. Haileyfirstnotion held on for second, but On the Mark got the lion’s share of the purse for his first win of the year, and seventh lifetime victory in 24 starts. He’s owned and trained by Joanne Shankle.

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: ON THE MARK. Took advantage of his trip and made his mark over the featured Friday field.

SECOND STAR: KAKE’S ARROW. Pulled off another wire job in a second-level grass route on Saturday; he’s won his last four races in gate-to-wire style.

THIRD STAR: LIFELOVENLAUGHTER. Rallied from off the pace to catpure a second-level route on the lawn on Friday in her first start since January.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: O’CONNER SUNSET. Upset some of the best horses on the grounds thanks to a great setup.

SECOND STAR: XCELLENT START. Won his second race in a row and third of the season on Saturday with a dramatic late rally.

THIRD STAR: UNCLE CAT. Pressed the pace and drew away to win a first-level sprint by 9 1/4 lengths on Thursday.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: GIFT OF GAB. Rallied wide from off th epace to win a second-level grass sprint on Saturday, following a third-place effort in The Very One Stakes on the Black-Eyed Susan day undercard.

SECOND STAR: CHIPOTLE. Crushed a first-level sprint field on Saturday by five lengths.

THIRD STAR: MARTIN CHUAN. Won three races on Friday and five on the week.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: FOREVER CHOCOLATE. Dug in and held on to win the Friendly Lover Handicap.

SECOND STAR: PACO LOPEZ. Rode home four winners on the Saturday program.

THIRD STAR: TWIRLING BEAUTY. Fought hard on the lead to win a first-level dash for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: PACHELBEL. Rallied wide and got up to win a second-level sprint for fillies and mares on Monday.

SECOND STAR: WARP NINE. Took a field of 3-year-old first-level routers gate-to-wire on Tuesday; he’s now won twice in his last three races.

THIRD STAR: SON OF THOR. Made is four in a row on Monday with a determined allowance win.