For the third time in his career, Mystik Dan parlayed a ground-saving trip into a graded stakes win at Churchill Downs, adding Saturday’s $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2) to his tally.

Saturday’s $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs will be particularly poignant, as the first edition to be held after the passing of its namesake.

The entire complexion of Sunday’s $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) changed in the opening strides at Saratoga,

Fresh off a victory in the Whitney (G1) at Saratoga, champion Sierra Leone bids for a Breeders’ Cup Challenge double in Sunday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).

With the pressure slightly off in Saturday's $1 million Whitney (G1), last year's three-year-old champion ended his hoodoo at the Spa with a convincing last-to-first rally under Flavien Prat.

New Century has shown to be a cut or two below top class in England, but he's a proven Grade 1 performer in North America.

One of the highlights of Skippylongstocking's 2024 campaign, a victory in the Oaklawn H. (G2), might be one this year, too, if the six-year-old veteran gets home on top in Saturday's renewal of the $1.25 million feature over 1 1/8 miles.

Both graded stakes on Saturday night’s “Downs After Dark” program at Churchill Downs will have Breeders’ Cup implications.

Godolphin’s homebred Highland Falls took it to odds-on favorite Arthur’s Ride early in Sunday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and powered away down the Saratoga stretch, stamping his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

At one stage of Sunday’s $400,000 Matt Winn (G3) at Ellis Park, 1.12-1 favorite Disarm appeared to inherit sire Gun Runner’s distaste for the slop.

Most recently fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Disarm will renew rivalry with three other Run for the Roses participants in Sunday’s $400,000 Matt Winn (G3).

***Updated after Monday’s draw with post positions and morning line odds

Forte, last year’s champion juvenile male and longtime Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite, has landed in post 15 for Saturday’s 149th Run for the Roses.

***Updated with scratches of Forte, Skinner, Continuar, Lord Miles, Practical Move; field with post positions and ML odds