After vainly chasing division leaders Sovereignty and Journalism all spring and summer, Baeza finally got his turn in the spotlight with a decisive victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx on Saturday.

Baeza's not the only one hoping to capitalize on the absence of Sovereignty and Journalism at Parx.

Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1) winner Sovereignty extended his win streak to three on Saturday at Saratoga, capturing the $485,000 Jim Dandy (G2) by a measured length over Baeza.

The 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy, the traditional local stepping stone to the 1 1/4-mile Travers (G1) in late August, attracted a field short on quantity but very long on quality.

Journalism rates as the 8-5 favorite on the morning line for the 2025 Belmont (G1).

For the second straight year, the Belmont (G1) will be staged over 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga, the classic’s “home away from home” as Belmont Park’s redevelopment continues.

The stars aligned for Godolphin and trainer Bill Mott when Sovereignty wore down 3-1 favorite Journalism to win the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday.

Rodriguez's ill-timed foot bruise has opened the door for Baeza to go for Kentucky Derby history.

Projected field for the Kentucky Derby includes the top 20 on the leaderboard and two horses on the bubble.

The expectation that Saturday's $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) would yield the likely favorite for next month's Kentucky Derby (G1) came to fruition when Journalism followed up his last-out win in the San Felipe (G2) with a come-from-behind score in the 1 1/8-mile test.

Barnes was a talking horse before his debut victory, and the $3.2 million yearling purchase raised the decibel level with a spectacular display in Saturday’s San Vicente (G2).