Michael Lund Petersen’s Adare Manor appeared to have a straightforward task on paper in Sunday’s Zenyatta (G2) at Santa Anita, and the 1-10 favorite ensured that there would be no suspense.

On Saturday at Del Mar, trainers Bob Baffert and Phil D’Amato combined to win a quartet of graded stakes. On Sunday, they continued their winning ways.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners got their New Year’s Eve party started early Saturday with a graded turf double at Santa Anita, courtesy of Air Force Red and Queen Goddess.

If C R K Stable’s Justique had been overturned as the favorite again in Saturday’s $101,000 Desi Arnaz S. at Del Mar, you might say she’d have “some splainin’ to do.” But the John Shirreffs juvenile rekindled the excitement of her debut win.

Speed Boat Beach, champion Ce Ce, up-and-coming Midnight Memories, and dirt marathoner Heywoods Beach won stakes at Santa Anita Sunday.

Speed held sway in the graded turf routes at Santa Anita on Saturday, as Masteroffoxhounds and Beyond Brilliant, respectively, dictated terms in the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) and City of Hope Mile (G2).

A pair of graded stakes sprints with potential Breeders’ Cup implications took place on Saturday during the “Summit of Speed” program at Gulfstream Park.

C R K Stable’s Express Train suffered a heartbreaker when collared late in the 2021 Santa Anita H. (G1), but the 11-10 favorite would not be denied the trophy in Saturday’s $651,000 renewal.

Successful title defenses were the theme at Santa Anita on Saturday. Merneith rebuffed Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) heroine Ce Ce to retain her crown in the Santa Monica (G2), and Express Train likewise scored a repeat in the San Pasqual (G2).

Although 1-5 favorite Hot Rod Charlie won a protracted battle with front-running Eight Rings in Sunday’s $201,000 San Antonio (G2), he ultimately lost the war.

Ce Ce rallied boldly to upset Saturday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, overhauling odds-on favorite Gamine in the stretch and drawing away to a 2 1/2-length decision.

The Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Zenyatta S. (G2) anchored a five-stakes Sunday card at Santa Anita.

After a fine second in his stakes debut in the June 19 San Juan Capistrano (G3), Astronaut rocketed into the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) with a 24-1 upset of Saturday’s “Win and You’re In” Del Mar H. (G2)

Victor Espinoza trekked to Gulfstream Park to ride California shipper Ce Ce in Saturday’s $350,000 Princess Rooney S. (G2), and also got a late pick-up mount aboard Miles Ahead in the $200,000 Smile Sprint S. (G3).

As his name implies, Red Flag could pose a long-term problem for other California-based classic prospects after the colt dominated the Bob Hope S. by 7 1/4 lengths at Del Mar on Sunday.