Galvanized by a heady ride by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano and the addition of blinkers, The Puma scored a new career high in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx.

Further Ado, the beaten favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Haskell (G1), has been installed as the 2-1 choice in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1).

Saturday's $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park drew a well-matched field of seven, headed by Grade 1 winners Further Ado and Napoleon Solo.

Further Ado turned the page on a subpar 11th as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and Explora, fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), also rebounded at Churchill Downs.

Eleventh as the lukewarm 5-1 favorite in the May 2 classic, Further Ado will look to get back on track at Churchill Downs in the $500,000 Matt Winn (G3).

History was made on the first Saturday in May when Golden Tempo stormed down the Churchill Downs homestretch to win the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).

Each "Between-The-Ears" snapshot is designed to give you a feel for the horse behind the numbers, but beneath the surface, something else is shaping the outcome.

***Updated with post positions, morning-line odds, and scratches

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 6 closed with runaway Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Renegade the clear 4-1 favorite among 40 betting interests.

The son of Gun Runner demolished his rivals in the $1,237,813 Blue Grass (G1) on Saturday.

Three years after Mage registered an upset in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), his connections will get a chance to win the roses for a second time with The Puma.