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.

Count Again dethroned Smooth Like Strait in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita, earning a free ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

After the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), Santa Anita’s Grade 1 action on Memorial Day shifts to turf for the Shoemaker Mile (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), and the Gamely (G1) for turf distaffers.

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).

Successful title defenses were the theme at Santa Anita on Saturday. Merneith rebuffed Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) heroine Ce Ce to retain her crown in the Santa Monica (G2), and Express Train likewise scored a repeat in the San Pasqual (G2).

If Mo Forza had been dethroned in Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Mile (G2), the defending champion would have had a few excuses at his disposal.

Vance Hanson reviews the Turf Classic, Churchill Distaff Turf Mile and American Turf for Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day!

Previewing Del Mar racing with the Hollywood Derby, Seabiscuit H. and Jimmy Durante S. who is running and what are the implications?