After a pair of fast-closing seconds to start his belated 2024 campaign, More Than Looks scored a new career high in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar.

Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior had already established his credentials as a globetrotter by winning Australia’s Cox Plate (G1), but Sunday’s Yasuda Kinen (G1) at Tokyo confirmed his entry into the pantheon.

Godolphin already has defending champion Cody’s Wish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), but their Japanese-based star Lemon Pop put himself into the discussion with a breathtaking display in Monday’s Mile Championship Nambu Hai at Morioka.

Showing why he’s rated the world’s best horse, Silk Racing Co.’s Equinox imposed his authority despite an extremely wide trip in Sunday’s $3.6 million Takarazuka Kinen (G1).

Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi added the world’s richest race to his expanding resume, when his front runner Panthalassa scored a $34.10 upset in Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).

Bob Baffert’s dynamic duo of Taiba and Country Grammer will try to have the angles covered between them in Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1).

By demolishing an international cast in Sunday’s Hong Kong Cup (G1), Romantic Warrior completed a rare treble at Sha Tin.

Japan has won three straight runnings of the Hong Kong Cup (G1), and five of the past seven. But the home defense is led by the exceptional Romantic Warrior.