Mid-Atlantic three stars: October 20, 2025
John Piassek
October 20, 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: ZANAHIYR. Some of the top American steeplechasers met at Far Hills on Saturday for the American Grand National over 2 5/8 miles. Irish invader Zanahiyr got the best of the locals in his stateside debut, winning by a head. He raced at the back of the eight-horse pack in the early stages, then made his move and drew alongside fellow Irishman Ballysax Hank in the stretch. The two engaged in an exciting battle, with Zanahiyr ultimately prevailing. It was 6 1/2 lengths back to another Irish-bred, Howyabud, in third. Zanahiyr ran the distance in 5:20, improving to 3-for-6 on the year and 10-for-38 lifetime. Jack Kennedy was up for owner Bective Stud and trainer Gordon Elliott.
SECOND STAR: PETINGAS TWIN. The Sunday co-feature at Laurel Park was a competitive third-level sprint at six furlongs on dirt. Petingas Twin rated just off the pace in the early stages while No Cents and S S Sinatra battled on the lead. As the field rounded the final turn, Yedsit Hazlewood moved his mount into the three-path and rolled past the embattled leaders. From there, he opened up and hit the wire in front by three lengths, covering the distance over a fast track in 1:09.89. This was his fifth career win in 19 career starts, and his first since a three-race winning streak which ended last July. He’s owned by James Wolf and trained by Anthony Farrior.
THIRD STAR: COUTACH. In addition to the American Grand National, Far Hills hosted the $150,000 Foxbrook Champion Hurdle Stakes on Saturday. Another European shipper, British-bred Coutach, lived up to his 17-10 expectations. He rated off the pace and made his move as they approached the final fence. He cleared it well, took control, and never looked back from there. He covered 2 1/2 miles in 5:14.40 for this third career win in five starts. Elliott also trained this one, with Danny Gilligan up for owner Paul Byrne.
LAUREL PARK
FIRST STAR: PETINGAS TWIN. Drew off in impressive style and looks to have loads of potential.
SECOND STAR: EFF THIRTY FIVE. Came from the clouds to win a third-level grass route earlier on Sunday thanks to a well-timed Sheldon Russell ride.
THIRD STAR: NIALL SAVILLE. Won his 100th career race on Saturday, sending out Spring Decision to win the 4th race with Matilda Burnham aboard.
CHARLES TOWN
FIRST STAR: KOSHER COWBOY. Cruised to a 3 1/2-length win in an open allowance dash on Saturday.
SECOND STAR: HAMMER. Rallied up the inside to prevail in a second-level sprint on Thursday.
THIRD STAR: IN MY MEMORIES. Lived up to the 1-10 hype on Saturday, winning a first-level sprint by 10 1/2 lengths.
DELAWARE PARK
FIRST STAR: JAIME RODRIGUEZ. Delaware’s leading rider earned a grand slam on Wednesday, a fitting cap to another excellent season.
SECOND STAR: YODEL E.A. WHO. Drew off to win a starter optional claiming route by 5 1/4 lengths on Thursday for his sixth win of the year in 10 starts.
THIRD STAR: CALIFORNIA TIGER. Sat a stalking trip and held on to win a first-level grass route earlier on the Thursday card.
FAR HILLS
FIRST STAR: ZANAHIYR. Established his place in the American steeplechase pantheon with his American Grand National win.
SECOND STAR: COUTACH. Dominated the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle Stakes in a hand ride.
THIRD STAR: FLEETFOOT. Crushed the field in the John Forbes Memorial Stakes to cap the card.
PARX RACING
FIRST STAR: GRAHMALAMADINGDONG. Won a mid-race battle as well as the war in a Pennsylvania-bred sprint on Tuesday.
SECOND STAR: SNAPPY RIDE. Came from the clouds to win an open first-level sprint at 24-1 later on the Tuesday card.
THIRD STAR: GLOWS IN THE DARK. Tea Party Stable homebred wore down a clear leader in the stretch to score in a Pennsylvania-bred route on Monday; she’s now 2-for-3 lifetime.
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