Friday’s $386,334 Modesty S. (G3) already shaped up as a contentious renewal, and the yielding turf on a rainy Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs added another layer of complexity to the handicapping puzzle. Longshot Fast as Flight was the one who stepped up in the conditions to earn a new career high, paying $43.90.

French import Elusive Princess reveled in soft ground in the Saratoga Oaks (G3), which turned out to be the only turf race contested at a rainy Spa on Friday.

The trainer/jockey tandem of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore won two of the three Breeders’ Cup Challenge events on Saturday’s opening day of Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown.

The eponymous centerpiece of Irish Champions Weekend, the Irish Champion offers a free ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The Champions Juvenile and Matron serve as “Win and You’re In” races for the Juvenile Turf and Filly & Mare Turf, respectively.