After knocking on the door in his past three stakes attempts, 11-10 favorite Friar’s Road burst through in Sunday’s $225,000 San Marcos (G2) at Santa Anita.

Upsets were the theme of the afternoon in a trio of off-the-turf graded stakes on opening day at Santa Anita.

In contrast to his luckless passage in the Del Mar H. (G2), Say the Word saw nothing but daylight in the stretch as he swooped to a last-to-first verdict in Friday’s Hollywood Turf Cup (G2).

Friday’s Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) at Del Mar shapes up as a logical rebound spot for three Breeders’ Cup also-rans, but a couple of others warrant a look as well.

Mo Forza and United successfully defended their titles in the City of Hope Mile and John Henry Turf Championship, respectively, and Going to Vegas punched her Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf ticket in the “Win and You’re In” Rodeo Drive.