For the first 1 1/8 miles of Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1), Life Is Good looked like a good thing.

Elite campaigners from the world over descended upon Riyadh for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), but the trophy stayed home thanks to 113-1 longshot Emblem Road.

Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) field includes defending champion Mishriff; Mandaloun and familiar foe Midnight Bourbon; fellow U.S. shippers Art Collector and Country Grammer; the Japanese duo of Breeders’ Cup shocker Marche Lorraine and champion T O Keynes; and the outstanding European turfistes Sealiway and Real World.

Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) serves up a rematch among Medina Spirit, Hot Rod Charlie, and Midnight Bourbon, and the speedy trio drew next to each other in the Parx feature.

After skipping the Kentucky Derby (G1), Rombauer exploded from off the pace to win the Preakness S. (G1) going away at odds of 11.80-1. Now he’s expected to bid for divisional leadership in the June 5 Belmont S. (G1), where several Derby alumni and a few new shooters are likely to pose fresh challenges.

The restraint showed by owner John Fradkin earlier this season with Rombauer paid off handsomely when his homebred colt rallied for a decisive victory in the $1 million Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico on Saturday under jockey Flavien Prat.

Medina Spirit’s gutsy victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) has come under the microscope after a positive postrace test for betamethasone. But the rags-to-riches colt will get his chance to follow up in Saturday's Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico.

The 147th Kentucky Derby arrives this weekend! Early positioning seems key to Saturday’s Run for the Roses.