After knocking on the door in his past three stakes attempts, 11-10 favorite Friar’s Road burst through in Sunday’s $225,000 San Marcos (G2) at Santa Anita.

In contrast to his luckless passage in the Del Mar H. (G2), Say the Word saw nothing but daylight in the stretch as he swooped to a last-to-first verdict in Friday’s Hollywood Turf Cup (G2).

Friday’s Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) at Del Mar shapes up as a logical rebound spot for three Breeders’ Cup also-rans, but a couple of others warrant a look as well.

After a fine second in his stakes debut in the June 19 San Juan Capistrano (G3), Astronaut rocketed into the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) with a 24-1 upset of Saturday’s “Win and You’re In” Del Mar H. (G2)

After a few tough beats at the top level, Smooth Like Strait finally won a deserved Grade 1 trophy in Monday’s $300,500 Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita. In the process, the Michael McCarthy trainee secured a free ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 6.

The third running of the Pegasus promises to feature a few up-and-comers in the division, judging by the invitations released by Gulfstream Park.