In a thrilling battle down the Del Mar homestretch, up-and-coming sophomore sprinter Raging Torrent got the better of California-bred sensation The Chosen Vron in the $251,500 Pat O’Brien (G2).

Hitherto campaigned as a sprinter/miler, Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Laurel River vindicated trainer Bhupat Seemar’s bold decision to try about 1 1/4 miles in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1).

Defending champion Ushba Tesoro will meet 11 challengers in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan.

As a deep-closing, one-turn specialist, Joe Peacock Jr.’s homebred Senor Buscador has been frustrated time and again in the most prestigious races stateside. But Saturday’s Saudi Cup (G1) proved to be exactly the right stage.

The world’s richest race is shaping to be something of a reboot of the biggest raceday in the United States – with a few extras thrown in for good measure.

The leading older dirt male in training, Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio, will be sitting out Saturday's renewal of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) to await a pair of rich stakes in the Middle East later this winter.

Zedan Racing Stables’ Arabian Knight was sidelined through Triple Crown season, but the highly regarded three-year-old emerged as a Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) contender with a determined front-running decision in Saturday’s “Win and You’re In” Pacific Classic (G1).

Defunded was odds-on to extend his winning streak to three in the San Diego H. (G2), but got no nearer than fourth as the 13-1 Senor Buscador sprang the upset at Del Mar.

Hero of the 2021 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) before going on his Mideast tour of duty, Country Grammer seeks to regain his title in Monday’s $400,000 renewal at Santa Anita.