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: WILLY D’S. Charles Town hosted their signature race, the $1 million, grade 2, Charles Town Classic, on Friday night. A field of ten older males ran 1 1/8 miles under the lights, and Willy D’s, most recently fifth in the Stephen Foster Stakes, prevailed by 1 3/4 lengths. He broke well under Ricardo Santana and set the pace on the rail, with Banishing providing consistent pressure. The two ran the opening quarter-mile in 23.91 seconds and the first half-mile in 47.25 seconds while opening four lengths on the rest of the field. With none of the closers, incuding favored Skippylongstocking, making up much ground, Banishing looked poised to wear down Willy D’s, but Willy D’s turned him away and opened up again after Banishing poked a nose in front on the third and final turn. Willy D’s is now a three-time stakes winner on the year, having previously taken Turfway Park’s Kentucky Cup Classic and the Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn Park. He’s won eight times in 29 starts and has earned $1,571,672. The 5-year-old bay gelding is owned by Paradise Farms Corp. and Case Chambers and trained by Mike Maker.

SECOND STAR: NICHE. One race prior to the Classic, 3-year-old fillies went seven furlongs in Charles Town’s other graded stakes, the grade 2 Charles Town Oaks. Local hopeful At a Premium, who won her previous four career starts in impressive fashion, was the 7-10 chalk among nine fillies, but couldn’t wear down Niche, who pulled off a 14-1 gate-to-wire upset. She set the pace along the inside and was pressed most of the way by At a Premium. Although the West Virginia-bred favorite looked menacing, Niche had more to give, and she held on to win by a half-length under Dylan Davis. She ran the distance in 1:25.36 on a fast track for her first stakes win and her third victory in her last four races. She’s owned by Red White and Blue Racing LLC and trained by Rob Atras.

THIRD STAR: FOIE GRAS. The first open stakes of the night at Charles Town on Friday was the Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon Stakes for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs. Foie Gras won in impressive fashion, dominating the field by 7 1/2 lengths. She was wrangled off the pace in the early stages, racing in fourth while displaying eagerness to run. She made a three-wide move on the final turn after early leaders Mystic Lake and Overcame Adversity and drew off from there. The Paradise/Maker/Santana team won this one as well; P Shooter Stable and Emcee Stable LLC co-own this 4-year-old filly.

TIMONIUM

FIRST STAR: FOR THE LADIES. Got up in the final strides to win Saturday’s Shine Again Stakes in a 19-1 upset.

SECOND STAR: EMBRACE THE MOMENT. Led all the way in an impressive 4 3/4-length win in a second-level allowance sprint on Sunday.

THIRD STAR: WOODLINE. Won a first-level allowance sprint on Friday to improve to 5-for-9 on the year.

PARX RACING

FIRST STAR: DREAMBUILDER. Drew off to win a second-level allowance route by 4 3/4 lengths on Wednesday for his first win of the season.

SECOND STAR: MISSOURI RIVER. Earned his second win in his last three races on Monday, lasting through a long duel to win by three lengths.

THIRD STAR: READY AS EVER. Scored in a starter optional claiming sprint on Tuesday for his third consecutive win.