Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. teamed up to turn a big-race double on Memorial Day at Santa Anita.

The adjective in his name fits Formidable Man, who figures to be a shorter price than usual in search of his fourth career graded stakes triumph Monday in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.

Flavien Prat has made it a habit to break records in 2024, and the jockey turned in his latest rewrite of history during Thursday’s opening-day festivities at Santa Anita.

Hero of the Del Mar Derby (G2) and Oceanside S. during Del Mar’s summer meet, Formidable Man made it three in a row in Saturday’s Hollywood Derby (G1) on the penultimate day of the Bing Crosby season.

On a stakes-packed inaugural California Crown Day at Santa Anita, First Peace won the Eddie D (G2), Cabo Spirit stunned the John Henry Turf Championship (G2), and Toupie wired the Unzip Me S.

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.

With Del Mar kicking off on Saturday this year, rather than a weekday, the traditional opening-day feature, the $100,000 Oceanside S., now serves as an appetizer for the $200,000 San Clemente (G2).