Mid-Atlantic three stars: December 22, 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

Post Time went out a winner in Saturday’s Robert T. Manfuso Stakes at Laurel Park. Photo- Jim McCue

FIRST STAR: POST TIME. Maryland-bred fan favorite Post Time capped his career with a victory on Saturday at Laurel Park. He went off as the 1-2 favorite in the five-horse Robert T. Manfuso Stakes, in spite of a defeat in the Maryland Million Classic last out. He rallied from 11 lengths out of it and wore down Barbadian Runner, who defated him in the Classic, to win by 1 1/4 lengths. With regular rider Sheldon Russll aboard, he ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.54, and concluded his 23-start career with 13 wins, four seconds, and five thirds with earnings of $1,558,705. He’s owned by Hillwood Stable LLC and trained by Brittany Russell, and will stand his first sason next year at Northview Stallion Station.

SECOND STAR: SLAM NOTION. Earlier on the Saturday card, the Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial Stakes was considered a coronation for Quint’s Brew. Already a two-time stakes winner on the year, and graded stakes-placed two more times, he went off as the 7-10 favorite in the five-horse field. However, he ended up no better than second behind Maryland Million Sprint winner Slam Notion, who won by three lengths. He pressed early leader Blu Kingdom, made his move on the turn, and struck the front at the top of the stretch. Quint’s Brew gave game chase, but Slam Notion proved too much, and held on for the win, covering seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:24.51. He concludes his sophomore season with six wins in 10 starts and earnings of $325,540. He’s a homebred for Nancy and Eric Rizer, trained by Robbie Bailes, and ridden by Jevian Toledo.

THIRD STAR: TAKETHEMONEYHONEY. Two races later, Takethemoneyhoney grabbed her second career stakes win, winning the Politely Stakes over Maryland-restricted fillies and mares by a length. Bettors were undeterred by her defeat in the Willa On the Move Stakes in her prior outing, and sent her off as the 4-5 favorite in the eight-horse field. Eliseo Ruiz kept her off the pace on the rail in the early stages. The filly was ready to make her move at the top of the stretch, but had nowhere to go behind a wall of horses. Ruiz negotiated a place to go in the stretch, splitting a pair of Jerry Robb-trained runners and striking the front at the eighth pole. Though 54-1 Itsamonstamash gave her all she could handle, Takethemoneyhoney had more to give and hit the wire in front to improve to 5-for-7 lifetime. Michael Day trains this homebred filly for Kasey K Racing Stable, Michael Day, and Final Turn Racing Stable LLC.

LAUREL PARK

FIRST STAR: POST TIME. Got the dream sendoff with his Manfuso win.

SECOND STAR: SLAM NOTION. Firmly established himself as on to watch next year, capturing the Bender and upsetting Quint’s Brew in the process.

THIRD STAR: TAKETHEMONEYHONEY. Picked up a bounceback win in the Politely.

PARX RACING

Racing at Parx was cancelled last week due to track and weather conditions.

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Mid-Atlantic three stars: December 22, 2025

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