"I could just see it in his eyes; he just wasn’t going to let that horse pass him," trainer Phil D'Amato said.

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.

Super Corredora sped to the lead at the break and upset rivals in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar.

Bob Baffert appeared to have Saturday’s American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita surrounded, but the Jeff Mullins-trained Intrepido flew late to deny him.

After vainly chasing division leaders Sovereignty and Journalism all spring and summer, Baeza finally got his turn in the spotlight with a decisive victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx on Saturday.

Unraced since his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), last year’s divisional champion Citizen Bull picked up right where he left off in Saturday’s Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita.

Much of the pre-race discussion going into Saturday’s Seabiscuit (G2) focused on Redistricting, but it was another on the comeback trail, Mi Hermano Ramon, who stole the show at Del Mar.  

In a thrilling battle down the Del Mar homestretch, up-and-coming sophomore sprinter Raging Torrent got the better of California-bred sensation The Chosen Vron in the $251,500 Pat O’Brien (G2).

With jockey Hector Berrios orchestrating a tactical masterclass, Iscreamuscream extended her record to a perfect 4-for-4 in Saturday’s Del Mar Oaks (G1).

The Chosen Vron defied trouble to prevail in last year’s Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar, but in Saturday’s title defense, the California-bred win machine found clear sailing throughout.

Two fillies brought perfect records into Saturday’s $202,500 San Clemente H. (G2), but only one retained her unbeaten status on opening day at Del Mar.

Sunday’s turf stakes for juveniles at Santa Anita produced a pair of winning favorites with credentials for their respective Breeders’ Cup races over the same course and distance.

A four-month layoff didn’t stop 11-10 favorite Didia from posting a comfortable victory in Saturday’s Rodeo Drive (G2) racing 1 1/4 miles over the Santa Anita turf course.

On Saturday at Del Mar, trainers Bob Baffert and Phil D’Amato combined to win a quartet of graded stakes. On Sunday, they continued their winning ways.

Danny A. Eplin’s Dreamfyre became freshman sire Flameaway’s first stakes winner with her sharp debut in the July 9 Everett Nevin S., and the speedy juvenile followed up with a graded coup in Saturday’s Sorrento (G3) at Del Mar.

Trainer Phil D’Amato had four solid contenders in Sunday’s Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar, and Gold Phoenix led home a clean sweep of the superfecta for the barn.

By narrowly outfinishing Anarchist and 9-5 favorite Dr. Schivel, The Chosen Vron earned his eighth straight victory, millionaire status, and a free spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).