On a stakes-packed Sunday afternoon at Santa Anita, Newgate capped off a big day for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, battling gamely to win the $400,000 Santa Anita H. (G1).

In addition to riding the superb Nysos in the Robert B. Lewis (G3), Flavien Prat won two other graded stakes on the Santa Anita card, both aboard mares making eagerly-awaited returns to action.

The Del Mar Debutante (G1) just eluded Hall of Famer Beholder during her 2012 juvenile campaign, but now she can boast of her daughter Tamara’s stunning victory in Saturday’s $303,500 renewal.

Danny A. Eplin’s Dreamfyre became freshman sire Flameaway’s first stakes winner with her sharp debut in the July 9 Everett Nevin S., and the speedy juvenile followed up with a graded coup in Saturday’s Sorrento (G3) at Del Mar.

The late Arrogate has sired major winners in his first two crops, led by Secret Oath and Arcangelo, and the newly-minted Hall of Famer could bequeath more in his final crop.

Brazilian champion Macadamia took a while to transfer that level of form to Southern California, but Monday’s $401,000 Gamely (G1) proved that she’s on the top of her game now.

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.

Bob Baffert made it a Saturday graded double with 1-2 favorite Fun to Dream in the Santa Monica (G2). Irish imports Earls Rock and Quattroelle won the graded turf stakes at Santa Anita.

The first of four stakes races at Santa Anita on Saturday, the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) pits just four promising sophomores against each other.

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.

Trainer Phil D’Amato swept both graded turf stakes on Big ‘Cap Day at Santa Anita, in contrasting styles. Count Again got up on the wire in the $503,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1), while Leggs Galore wired the $202,500 Buena Vista (G2).

Del Mar staged two major stakes for three-year-old fillies on Pacific Classic Day, and jockey Flavien Prat won both aboard favorites.

On Saturday afternoon, racing fans had an opportunity to see both the present and the future of California’s filly and mare turf division in action.