Saturday’s $250,000 Dinner Party (G3) invited several logical players to the table, but Magic Cap Stables’ Fort Washington was the only one who showed up with his characteristic effort at Pimlico.

The stakes on Saturday's Preakness Day undercard at Pimlico are a mixed bag of competitive heats and others with apparent stickouts.

The Chad Brown-trained Spirit of St Louis has spent far more time among New York-breds than in open company, but that might have to change after he upstaged Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1).

The last time Godolphin globetrotter Nations Pride graced the U.S. turf, he justified favoritism in the Aug. 11 Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs.

Apparently outkicked by fellow closer Balnikhov in midstretch, Truly Quality only found his top gear in the final strides of Friday’s Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) at Del Mar.

Briefly under consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), Truly Quality instead seeks to continue his ascent in more methodical fashion in Friday’s Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) at Del Mar.

For the third straight year, Gold Phoenix flew late to capture the Del Mar H. (G2) and book his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

The Pacific Classic (G1) isn’t the only Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” at Del Mar on Saturday. Two of the four undercard stakes are also part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge program.

CUYATHY’s homebred Johannes enhanced his status atop the West Coast’s turf division with a dominant performance in Sunday’s Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar.

Shoemaker Mile (G1) star Johannes will stretch out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time in Sunday’s $250,000 Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar.

Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori warmed up for his Preakness (G1) ride on Imagination by guiding the 5.40-1 Balnikhov to victory in the Dinner Party (G3).

Trainer Phil D’Amato had four solid contenders in Sunday’s Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar, and Gold Phoenix led home a clean sweep of the superfecta for the barn.

Southern California’s top turf miler in the spring of 2022, Count Again, resurfaces from a 14-month layoff in Sunday’s $250,000 Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar.

Formerly an underachiever on dirt, C R K Stable’s Exaulted has become an overachiever since switching to turf. His transformation reached a new level in Monday’s Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.

Monday’s $500,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1), the first Breeders’ Cup Challenge event staged at a U.S. track this year, has added significance: it’s also held at the 2023 Breeders’ Cup host site, Santa Anita.

Before Stilleto Boy surprised Saturday’s Santa Anita H. (G1), the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) also witnessed an upset.