Three-year-olds bred or sired in Maryland or Virginia take center stage Saturday at Colonial Downs with the $125,000 Star de Naskra Stakes, a seven-furlong clash that has drawn a competitive field of nine colts and geldings, joining the Miss Disco for fillies on the card.

The Star de Naskra and Miss Disco, which goes as race five, are part of an agreement among racing and breeding interests in Maryland and Virginia. Formerly Maryland-restricted stakes will, through this coming March, be open to Virginia-bred and -sired runners as well, and Virginia interests will put up a significant share of the money.

The first races of the new program took place in June at Laurel Park, with Maryland-breds winning both the Ben’s Cat and Jameela Stakes.

Leading the way on paper is Barbadian Runner (post 5, 5-2), who enters off a strong second-place finish in the $200,000 Delaware Derby behind Admiral Dennis. Since adding blinkers late last year, the Barbados colt has never missed the board in six dirt starts, winning three of them—including a trio of stakes victories. Henry Walters trains the rugged runner for AJ Will Win Stables.

Trainer Brittany Russell will saddle Saxton (post 1, 9-2), a versatile Virginia-bred gelding who dueled inside and drew off to win a Laurel allowance last out. A two-time stakes runner-up, including a near-miss in the Jimmy Winkfield at Aqueduct, Saxton owns both the back class and tactical speed to make noise from the rail.

Re Markably (post 2, 6-1), a stakes winner at two, made his debut for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott in June and now returns to restricted company. After flashing promise as a juvenile under Lynn Ashby’s care, the Hoppertunity colt could move forward in his second try off the bench for powerhouse connections.

Reggie Runs Rogue (post 6, 5-1) was last seen finishing second behind standout sprinter It’s Hammertime in April. He’s lightly raced with only five starts, but the Rogueish colt has shown talent and versatility, including a sharp Colonial maiden win last summer. Trainer Justin Nixon looks to have him well-spotted here.

A live longshot could be Slam Notion (post 8, 8-1), who failed to fire in the Chick Lang Stakes on Preakness Day but had previously dominated allowance company. The May 17 Chick Lang has already produced three next-out winners, and the Great Notion gelding may appreciate the class relief.

Sacred Thunder (post 7, 6-1) won the James F. Lewis, III Stakes last fall and has kept solid company this year, hitting the board in three stakes. A half-brother to stakes winners Tappin Cat and Exculpatory, the Holy Boss gelding returns to a more manageable level after a distant fourth-place run in the Delaware Derby.

Bold Diversion (post 4, 10-1) has been a hard-trying type for trainer Joanne Shankle, winning two races since being claimed for $12,500. He’s hit the board in seven of his last nine and exits a gritty win against starter foes at Laurel.

Rounding out the field are Studlydoright (post 3, 12-1), who was outrun in the James W. Murphy Stakes on the turf at Pimlico but won a pair of stakes as a 2-year-old, and Missed the Turn (post 9, 15-1), who appears to be facing a tough task following a distant ninth at Churchill Downs.

STAR DE NASKRA STAKES ENTRIES