A pair of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifiers served as the highlights of a graded stakes triple on the first Sunday of Keeneland’s autumn meet.

Despite taking a significant hike in class for Saturday’s $500,000 Frizette (G1) at Belmont Park, the daughter of Tacitus turned in another solid performance to win the one-mile test by 2 3/4 lengths as an 11-1 chance.

Jockey Flavien Prat bagged three stakes wins at Churchill Downs on Saturday, including an odds-on success aboard Splendora in the $326,000 Locust Grove (G2).

The Justify mare regained her winning groove with an emphatic front-running display at Kentucky Downs, the highlight of a six-win day for Flavien Prat.

A glorious afternoon for trainer Chad Brown and jockey Flavien Prat continued through the $500,000 Ballerina (G1) on Saturday, when Ways and Means extended her dominance.

Trainer Chad Brown might not have the ante-post favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), but he will go into the Oct. 31 feature at Keeneland fully loaded.

Explora, who had run like a Grade 1-quality filly since the start of her career, finally earned that distinction on Saturday with a runaway score in the $500,000 Test (G1) at Saratoga.

British trainer George Boughey had to wait three extra days for Survie to make her U.S. debut in the Glens Falls (G2), but the weather-driven postponement did not bother her in the least.

Sunday’s dirt stakes at Saratoga both showcased new talents.

Fully Subscribed raised her candidacy for the Aug. 29 Personal Ensign (G1) over this same track and trip, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Odds-on favorites Knightsbridge and Splendora had little difficulty asserting their superiority on the Haskell Day undercard at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

The graded turf stakes at Saratoga on Saturday offered completely different case studies in how pace makes the race.

“I was watching it and thinking, there’s a wire and there’s noses, why should it take so long?”

The Wise Dan was one of four turf stakes on the banner card at Churchill Downs. Favorites swept all four on a course that remained good despite the rain.

Chad Brown and Flavien Prat teamed up to win both of Friday’s turf stakes during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga.

Ways and Means successfully defended her title in the $300,000 Bed o' Roses (G2) at Saratoga on Friday. Unlike last year, she needed every inch of the seven furlongs to do it.

The reigning Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner shook off a dull showing earlier this month to capture the 1 1/16-mile feature.

Forged Steel ran away with Monday’s renewal of the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) at Santa Anita, and Thought Process and Formidable Man starred in the Grade 1s on turf.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. enjoyed a big day at Laurel on Friday, capturing the $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) with My Miss Mo and the $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) with Navajo Warrior.

Stark Contrast proved a decisive winner of the $1 million American Turf (G1) as a 6-5 favorite.