Fast forward to the first Saturday in May 2025, and Mystik Dan came out on the wrong side of a photo finish at Oaklawn Park.

Taking advantage of a pace meltdown, Sandman launched a sharp rally around the far turn at Oaklawn Park to win the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) in decisive fashion.

The biggest and brightest stages have not generally been kind to Saudi Crown, who nonetheless has bankrolled more than $3.2 million in earnings. However, Saturday's $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) appears to be one of those spots the Grade 1 veteran can shine in.

Last year’s Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Saudi Crown got back to his winning ways in Saturday’s $100,000 Tenacious S. at Fair Grounds.

Saturday’s “Road to the Derby Kickoff Day” at Fair Grounds features eight stakes races, led by the Gun Runner S. for Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls and the Untapable S. for Kentucky Oaks (G1) aspirants.

Full Serrano became the sixth Argentine-bred to win a Breeders’ Cup race when he turned back late challenges in Saturday’s $920,000 Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar.

Both graded stakes on Saturday night’s “Downs After Dark” program at Churchill Downs will have Breeders’ Cup implications.

Last seen fading to an uncharacteristic 12th in the Godolphin Mile (G2), Saudi Crown returned triumphant in Sunday’s R.A. “Cowboy” Jones S. at Ellis Park.

Once 4-5 favorite Saudi Crown couldn’t make the lead in Saturday’s $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2), the handwriting was on the wall for an upset at Meydan.

Defending champion Ushba Tesoro will meet 11 challengers in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan.

As a deep-closing, one-turn specialist, Joe Peacock Jr.’s homebred Senor Buscador has been frustrated time and again in the most prestigious races stateside. But Saturday’s Saudi Cup (G1) proved to be exactly the right stage.

The world’s richest race is shaping to be something of a reboot of the biggest raceday in the United States – with a few extras thrown in for good measure.