Rhetorical took the early initiative in Saturday’s $1.414 million Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs and never looked back, breaking Lure's stakes record.

Ten years after sending out Hall of Famer Tepin to repeat in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2), Mark Casse won Saturday’s $976,000 renewal.

The “other” Chad Brown angle was in play in Friday’s $478,670 Modesty (G3), while a Brendan Walsh favorite just scraped home in a stakes-record Edgewood (G2).

Saturday’s $398,750 Lexington (G3) featured an eclectic cast of class-climbers, fringe players from the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail, and minor stakes veterans.

Trainer Brendan Walsh had to scratch favorite Lush Lips from Saturday’s Jenny Wiley (G1), but his other entrant, Expensive Queen, saved the day at Keeneland.

A better trip helped So Happy, but the Mark Glatt trainee might have received an extra lift, just when he needed it.

One year after his Kentucky Derby (G1) dreams were dashed by injury, Magnitude was on the top of the world after upsetting Forever Young in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1).

Both colts clinched Kentucky Derby (G1) invitations via the Euro/Mideast Road.

Just about everyone watching Saturday’s $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) was on tenterhooks as odds-on favorite Calandagan had a lot of ground to make up.

Godolphin’s Ombudsman was far and away the class of the field in Saturday’s $5 million Dubai Turf (G1), and even the rain during the week couldn’t dampen his acceleration.

One year after springing a $132.60 upset in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), Dark Saffron repeated the feat for a $48.80 payout at Meydan on Saturday.

Trainer Ahmad bin Harmash’s decision to try Native Approach at about six furlongs has completely reinvigorated his career.

Fairy Glen was venturing into unknown territory in Saturday’s Dubai Gold Cup (G2), but she stayed every yard of the trip to become the race’s first female winner.

Saturday’s $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2) went to erstwhile Godolphin runner Banishing, who wore down the leg-weary favorite, Commissioner King.

Despite regional war and torrential rain this week, Meydan will stage the 30th Dubai World Cup extravaganza on Saturday.

The Brisnet Ultimate Past Performances provide a wealth of data for handicapping races, but you can simplify things by zeroing in on the stats that work best for you.

Saturday’s Festival Day at Tampa Bay Downs included four stakes in addition to the Tampa Bay Derby (G3).

Champion Super Corredora bids to regain top form in Sunday’s $100,000 Santa Ysabel (G3) at Santa Anita, a scoring race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

Sunday’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) served as the fitting occasion for Ka Ying Rising to succeed Silent Witness as the king of the winning streak in Hong Kong.

Although both races have potential implications for the U.S. scene, their more immediate impact might well come on Dubai World Cup night, March 28.