It’s safe to say Gunite likes Saratoga. Last year’s Hopeful S. (G1) winner returned to the Spa with a tenacious victory in Sunday’s Amsterdam S. (G2).

On another banner night on the world stage for Japan, Triple Crown-nominated Crown Pride rolled in Saturday’s $1 million UAE Derby (G2) and staked claims to represent his homeland in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Epicenter's trip in the Louisiana Derby, Rattle N Roll's improvement, and possible Kentucky Derby implications from Sunland and Dubai

The Dubai World Cup (G1) may be the showpiece of dirt racing on Saturday at Meydan, but there’s also a Kentucky Derby qualifier, a Group 1 sprint and a Group 2 mile.

The Bob Baffert-trained Pinehurst prevailed in the Saudi Derby (G3), and Christophe Lemaire capped a four-win Saudi Cup Day with yet another Japanese shipper, Dancing Prince, in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3).

Southern California shipper Pinehurst bids to move forward in an eclectic Saudi Derby (G3) on Saudi Cup Day. Ginobili was set to shorten up for the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3), but he is now reportedly scratched.

Speed reigned in Santa Anita’s trio of graded races Saturday on both dirt and turf, beginning with promising sophomore Forbidden Kingdom in the $200,000 San Vicente (G2).

Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) is creating a sense of déjà vu about a few contenders. Will the similarities be verified and patterns renewed, or new paradigms be established?

Double-handed in pursuit of his 15th win in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), trainer Bob Baffert succeeded with his ostensible second-stringer, Pinehurst, as the odds-on Murray disappointed.

The Del Mar summer season ends with a crescendo Monday, as promising juveniles square off in two stakes at the seaside track.