Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: September 1, 2025
John Piassek- September 1, 2025
Plenty of racing action took place throughout the Mid-Atlantic this past week.
Here’s a look at the “three stars” of each track:
REGION’S BEST
FIRST STAR: SILVER SLUGGER. A field of five older male sprinters traveled five furlongs on the dirt in Sunday’s Rumson Stakes at Monmouth Park. Silver Slugger had done well against starter allowance types earlier this year, with five wins in ten starters coming into the race. He was also second by a head in the John Nerud Stakes at Aqueduct in May. He broke through for his first stakes win of the year in the Rumson. He opened up a clear lead early, then kicked away in the stretch to win by 4 1/2 lengths as the 1-2 favorite. The victory, accomplished in 57.97 seconds, boosted his career record to 8-2-0 in 14 starts and his career earnings over $220,000. Paco Lopez was up for owner Victoria’s Ranch and trainer Juan Avila.
SECOND STAR: BREATH AWAY. The day before, Monmouth played host to the Violet Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on grass. Trainer Miguel Clement continued his strong summer with Breath Away, who won by a half-length. She drafted off the pace under Samy Camacho, while Ribaltagaia set a moderate early pace. At the top of the stretch, Breath Away rallied three-wide under Camacho, while Ribaltagaia opened up to lead by 1 1/2 lengths. However, Breath Away was able to wear the early leader down and got up for the victory. She’s owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Tango Uniform Racing LLC, and Steve Rocco, and has now earned $417,885 in her 18-race career.
THIRD STAR: ONE MORE FREUD. Mike Maker claimed One More Freud for $35,000 out of an impressive maiden win at Saratoga on August 1. The claim paid instant dividends, as he won the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth on Saturday by a neck. He had to fight hard for it, as Just Asap took control in the early stages of the one-mile contest and was determined to not let One More Freud by. However, One More Freud eventually prevailed as the 2-5 favorite, covering a mile on dirt in 1:38.36. The undefeated colt is owned by Paradise Farms Corp. and ridden by Samy Camacho.
COLONIAL DOWNS
FIRST STAR: HOLLYWOOD WALK. Held on to win Saturday’s Camptown Handicap in a driving, blanket finish.
SECOND STAR: WHENIGETTOHEAVEN. Though he got hounded throughout, he held on to win Saturday’s Meadow Stable Handicap.
THIRD STAR: PETCOFF. Bounced back from an off-the-board finish in the Van Clief Stakes to win a second-level grass sprint on Wednesday for his third win of the season.
DELAWARE PARK
FIRST STAR: MYSTIC SEAPORT. Prevailed in a second-level grass dash on Saturday with a stalk-and-pounce trips, for her 12th career win in 25 starts.
SECOND STAR: STYLE ME ROYAL. Won a first-level dirt route on Wednesday by three lengths to extend his win streak to three.
THIRD STAR: SACRED THUNDER. A regular in stakes company over the winter at Laurel Park, he won a starter optional claiming contest by four lengths on Wednesday to get in the win column for the season.
MONMOUTH PARK
FIRST STAR: SILVER SLUGGER. Kept up an impressive campaign and added a stakes win to his resume.
SECOND STAR: BREATH AWAY. Sat the trip and got up to win the Violet.
THIRD STAR: ONE MORE FREUD. He’s had two wins in as many starts: one flashy, one determined.
PARX RACING
FIRST STAR: COME PRIMA. Battled early and drew off to win a first-level sprint on Tuesday.
SECOND STAR: I FEELUCKY TONITE. Won a starter optional claiming route on Monday with a dramatic late swoop, improving to 3-for-12 on the year with four runner-up finishes.
THIRD STAR: FACTOR U AND ME IN. Beat Pennsylvania-bred allowance rivals on Wednesday in gate-to-wire fashion.
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