Region’s Best

FIRST STAR: ROSIE JEEKS. The Saturday feature at Monmouth Park was the Goldwood Stakes for older fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs on the grass. Rosie Jeeks, in her second start off a 15-month layoff, got a great trip sitting off the pace on the rail. As they rounded the final turn, Rosie Jeeks was taken off the rail by Samy Camacho, and surged when clear to win by 1 ½ lengths. This was the first stakes win for this 4-year-old filly, and her third career victory in five races. She ran the distance on a firm grass course in 1:02.74 for owners Team Hanley and Thirty Year Farm and trainer Chad Brown.

SECOND STAR: WHENIGETTOHEAVEN. Some of the best Maryland and Virginia bred or sired grass sprinters met at Laurel Park on Saturday for the Ben’s Cat Stakes. Whenigettoheaven hadn’t won since last year’s Ben’s Cat, but found his way back to the winner’s circle with a repeat victory. He raced off the pace on the outside in the early stages, and turned for home in third, about a length behind early leaders Tidewater and Determined Kingdom. Determined Kingdom struck the front in the stretch, but under urging from J.G. Torrealba, Whenitgettoheaven rallied and got up in the last few jumps to win by three-quarters of a length. He ran six furlongs in 1:09.57 on a firm course, improving to 8-for-26 lifetime with career earnings of $381,890. He was bred by Larry Johnson, is owned by Ken Ramsey, and trained by Nolan Ramsey.

THIRD STAR: DUNCAN IDAHO. Massive thunderstorms at Charles Town forced the postponement of the It’s Only Money Stakes from June 21 to last Friday. Duncan Idaho, last year’s winner, won his second consecutive It’s Only Money and did so the hard way. He quickly engaged in a hard duel with the other favorite, Honeyquist. The pair opened up four lengths on their four rivals as they zipped through an opening quarter of 21.32. As they rounded the turn, Duncan Idaho began to put away Honeyquist and opened up a length on him, while his rivals attempted to make up ground. Third choice Youthinkthatsfunny closed well, but the wire came in time for Duncan Idaho, who won by 1 ½ lengths in 51.81. He’s now won four races in a row, and is 14-for-21 lifetime with earnings of $350,217. He was bred by John McKee, and is by McKee’s and his wife Cyndy’s stallion Fiber Sonde. Arnaldo Bocachica was up for owner David Raim and trainer Jeff Runco. 

Laurel Park

FIRST STAR: WHENIGETTOHEAVEN. Sat a great trip and made it a repeat in the Ben’s Cat.

SECOND STAR: LIFELOVENLAUGHTER. Handled the cutback around one turn with ease in taking Saturday’s Jameela Stakes.

THIRD STAR: CADET CORPS. Defeated odds-on favorite Inveigled by a nose in an exciting third-level route on Saturday.

Charles Town Races

FIRST STAR: DUNCAN IDAHO. Asserted his status as the besr of the West Virginia-bred dashers with his second It’s Only Money victory.

SECOND STAR: JUBA’S HAT TRICK. Got up to win in a blanket finish over Muad’dib and No Change in a West Virginia-bred allowance sprint on Saturday.

THIRD STAR: TALKIN PHAROAH. Wore down early leader Uncle Chinito to win a second-level dash on Thursday for his third win in his last four starts.

Delaware Park

FIRST STAR: ST. JUDE. Won a stretch battle with Warp Nine to conquer a second-level route field on Saturday.

SECOND STAR: CYBERTIME. Improved to 5-for-5 on the season with a sharp first-level sprint win on Thursday.

THIRD STAR: DISTANT LOVER. A graded stakes winner in South Africa, she made her American debut a winning one in a first-lvel grass route on Rhursday.

Monmouth Park

FIRST STAR: ROSIE JEEKS. Utilized a strong late punch to capture the Goldwood Stakes.

SECOND STAR: PACO LOPEZ. Won five races in seven mounts on the Friday program.

THIRD STAR: SILVER SLUGGER. Easily beat first-level field on Saturday for his fifth win in eight starts on the year.

Parx Racing

FIRST STAR: SPEEDYNESS. Held on to win an open allowance sprint on Tuesday; he’s back in the Deputed Testamony Stakes on Saturday against Post Time.

SECOND STAR: MYCHEL SANCHEZ. Won four races on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

THIRD STAR: TRUE PHENOMENON. Crushed a field of Pennsylvania-bred allowance runners on Tuesday.