The Sorrento (G3) at Del Mar turned into a virtual match race, as Wesley Ward’s 8-5 Ruiva tried to fend off Bob Baffert’s 4-5 favorite Holmby.

With Jaipur (G1) winner Reef Runner sidelined for the remainder of the season, the older male turf sprint division is looking for a new leader.

One day after Desert Gate crushed the Best Pal (G3), his Bob Baffert stablemate Himika proved much the best in the $150,500 Sorrento (G3) at Del Mar.

Odds-on favorite Nooni held sway as the speed of the speed in Saturday’s Sorrento (G3) at Del Mar, stamping herself as a leading contender for the Del Mar Debutante (G1).

Multiple Grade 1 star Anisette is the headline act in Saturday’s Yellow Ribbon H. (G2) at Del Mar. Earlier, OBS March Sale topper Nooni will try to confirm her rising star status in the Sorrento (G3).

Danny A. Eplin’s Dreamfyre became freshman sire Flameaway’s first stakes winner with her sharp debut in the July 9 Everett Nevin S., and the speedy juvenile followed up with a graded coup in Saturday’s Sorrento (G3) at Del Mar.

The late Arrogate has sired major winners in his first two crops, led by Secret Oath and Arcangelo, and the newly-minted Hall of Famer could bequeath more in his final crop.

Returning to the site of her greatest victory, Going Global had no difficulty cruising to victory in Saturday’s Yellow Ribbon H. (G2) at Del Mar.

Del Mar’s Saturday stakes feature the distaff set, with the Yellow Ribbon H. (G2) for turfistes and the Sorrento (G2) for juvenile fillies.