Brazilian-bred Ice Chocolat had yet to win a stakes, or dictate the pace, since arriving in North America two years ago, but jockey Jose Ortiz’s inspired change of tactics in Saturday’s Poker S. (G3) produced a 24-1 surprise.

California Spangle looked like the next big thing when flooring Golden Sixty in the 2022 Hong Kong Mile (G1), but needed a cutback in trip to hit the heights again.

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

Reigning Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) champion Caravel originally had Royal Ascot in her June datebook, until connections preferred to stay stateside for Saturday’s Jaipur (G1) at Belmont Park.

Before Panthalassa capped the day in the Saudi Cup (G1), Japan scored two lucrative wins on turf with Bathrat Leon and Silver Sonic, and British raider Mostahdaf romped in the Neom Turf Cup (G3).

Bob Baffert’s dynamic duo of Taiba and Country Grammer will try to have the angles covered between them in Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).

Stepping up to face older horses for the first time in Saturday’s Coolmore Turf Mile (G1), Annapolis stamped his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) over the same Keeneland course.

Third in the past two runnings of the Fourstardave H. (G1), Casa Creed improved to topple 1-2 favorite Regal Glory in Saturday’s renewal at Saratoga.

Irish raider A Case of You turned the tables on odds-on favorite Man of Promise in Saturday’s $1.5 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1) at Meydan.