Sunday’s Rancho Bernardo H. (G3) was a virtual match race between defending champion Edgeway and prime challenger Slammed, both in the betting and on the racetrack.

About three hours after the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga Sunday, Del Mar hosts the Rancho Bernardo H. (G3) with Breeders’ Cup implications in the same division.

Three years after Argentine import Blue Prize reached top form and upset the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), her half-sister Blue Stripe could be on a similar trajectory.

Sunday’s $301,000 Malibu (G1) was supposed to present Flightline with a class test, but the unbeaten colt was a class apart from the opposition at Santa Anita.

Undefeated Flightline has hinted of freakish talent in his two starts, and the John Sadler pupil hopes to confirm that impression as he takes on Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) near-misser Dr. Schivel in Sunday’s $300,000 Malibu S. (G1).

The Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Zenyatta S. (G2) anchored a five-stakes Sunday card at Santa Anita.

As division leader Malathaat awaits the Breeders’ Cup, Saturday’s $1 million Cotillion S. (G1) at Parx presents an opportunity for other three-year-old fillies to earn a coveted Grade 1.

Del Mar staged two major stakes for three-year-old fillies on Pacific Classic Day, and jockey Flavien Prat won both aboard favorites.