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: BARBADIAN RUNNER. This 4-year-old gelding put his name in the Maryland Million history books on Saturday at Laurel Park, when he became the sixth horse to win the Maryland Million Classic twice. He went off at 6-1 when he defeated Post Time in last year’s renewal, but this time, he was the overwhelming 1-5 favorite in the eight-horse field. He rated in third place in the early stages, while Goodbye Note set an uncontested early pace and Wickeddivine stalked in second. He made his move after the leaders on the far turn, and although he was carried out by Sacred Thunder, he nonetheless proved too much for them, and hit the wire 4 3/4 lengths in front. He ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.94 and improved his career record to 11-8-4 in 27 starts, with earnings of $1,183,365. Forest Boyce was up on the Henry Walters-trained gelding, who was bred by Shamrock Farm and is by Barbados. AJ Will Win Stable LLC is the winning owner.

SECOND STAR: WILD VINE. On Tuesday at Parx, a field of six competed in the $75,000 M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile. Wild Vine continued his quietly impressive campaign with a 1 1/4-length win, his third stakes victory of the season. He raced in fifth place early on, one path off the inside. He was asked for his best on the far turn and delivered, making a strong three-wide sweep after the leaders. In the stretch, he drew away from the others and never looked to be in danger, securing the win on a fast track in 1:37.31. This win improved his record to 4-for-5 on the year, including victories in the Parx Dirt Mile and the Native Dancer Stakes, and 13-for-32 lifetime. Bred in Pennsylvania by R R Equine Stables LLC, he’s owned by Super C Racing and trainer Jamie Ness’s Jagger Inc. and was ridden by Mychel Sanchez.

THIRD STAR: WHENIGETTOHEAVEN. This year’s Maryland Million Turf Sprint loomed as an ultra-competitive affair between the 2023 winner, Witty, 2025 champion Had to Have Him, and Whenitgettoheaven, who won the Meadow Stable Handicap at Colonial Downs last out. The latter, sent off as the 7-5 favorite on Saturday, led almost all the way and hit the wire in front by 1 3/4 lengths. He cleared to the rail and the lead and established comfortable control by the time the field completed the first quarter-mile. He encountered a challenge on the turn when longshot Blame the Tux moved to engage on the outside and poked a head in front at the top of the lane. However, Whenigettoheaven was able to fend him off, and pulled clear again for the victory. This is the fourth year in a row he competed in this race and his first victory in it, following a third-place effort in 2023, a fifth in 2024, and a second last year. Bred by Larry Johnson and by his stallion Street Magician, he’s owned by Ken Ramsey, trained by Nolan Ramsey, and ridden by Paco Lopez.

LAUREL PARK

FIRST STAR: BARBADIAN RUNNER. Added to his Maryland Million legacy with another Classic win; his goal for next year is to become the first horse to win three consecutive renewals.

SECOND STAR: WHENIGETTOHEAVEN. Finally got the monkey off his back by taking this year’s Turf Sprint.

THIRD STAR: CELTIC CONTENDER. Became the first horse to win the Maryland Million Sprint twice with a one-length victory in this year’s edition.

CHARLES TOWN

FIRST STAR: TEACHINTHERELEASE. Bounced back from a runner-up finish in the Sam Huff Breeders’ Classic with a gate-to-wire victory in an open allowance sprint on Saturday.

SECOND STAR: MUDSLIDE. Took early control and never looked back in an open allowance dash on of her own on Friday.

THIRD STAR: ARDEN’SLUCKYTOBE. Lasted through pace pressure and drew off in a first-level allowance dash on Wednesday for his second victory in his last three starts.