Strategic Risk took over entering the stretch and rolled to a 4 1/2-length decision in Saturday’s $250,000 Smarty Jones, a Road to the Kentucky qualifier at Oaklawn Park.

A major player in the three-year-old turf division earlier this year, Nitrogen transferred her form to dirt and recorded an important win in Saturday's Alabama (G1) at Saratoga.

After coming within an eyelash of Cogburn’s record time last time out, Bring Theband Home flirted with a stakes record when dominating Sunday’s Troy (G2).

Ewing might have been slowest out of the gate in the $186,000 Saratoga Special (G2), but a quick recovery helped propel the speedy son Knicks Go to a one-length victory.

The Wonder Again switch was no problem for 2-5 favorite Nitrogen, who cruised by 17 lengths. In contrast, the Pennine Ridge lost its key players.

La Cara led all the way in Saturday's Acorn S. (G1) at Saratoga, handing formerly unbeaten divisional leader Good Cheer her first setback with the gate-to-wire decision.

Kentucky Oaks Day included a trio of graded stakes for turf distaffers, and two odds-on favorites demonstrated star quality at Churchill Downs.

Upsets were prominent on Tuesday's Blue Grass Day undercard at Keeneland, the biggest being Positano Sunset's 14-1 surprise over the favorite Emery in the $623,338 Madison (G1) for fillies and mares.

All went according to connections' plan for La Cara in the $742,782 Ashland (G1) at Keeneland on Monday.

While the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) was Saturday’s main event, Festival Day 45 also included four supporting stakes.

Seven stakes, six of them graded, comprised the undercard of Fountain of Youth (G2) and Davona Dale (G2) day at Gulfstream Park.

Speed was the name of the game in both points races on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Potential Breeders’ Cup contenders were out in full force for a trio of graded stakes on Sunday afternoon at Aqueduct.

British invader New Century stamped his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) in Saturday’s $368,918 Summer (G1) at Woodbine.

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby will send out the morning-line favorites in Saturday’s Summer (G1) and Natalma (G1), “Win and You’re In” events for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), respectively.

Proving worthy of her history-making namesake, WNBA star Caitlin Clark, Caitlinhergrtness beat the boys in Friday’s King’s Plate at Woodbine.