Favored Fox Hill Farm’s Omaha Beach grabbed the lead on the backstretch and then kept Improbable at bay in the stretch to capture the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) over a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park April 13.

A little over the year since the day he claimed his first graded win in the Lambholm South Tampa Derby (G2), Quip finally found his way back to the winner’s circle to take the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 13 at Oaklawn Park. 

With time to mature, Owendale rallied to a breakthrough victory in the $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) April 13 at Keeneland, beating out horses hoping to collect enough points to make the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

Gary Barber’s War of Will breezed five furlongs from the starting gate at Keeneland April 13, firing a :59 bullet over a fast track in preparation for the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

It was a family affair in the Keeneland winner’s circle for trainer Ian Wilkes April 13, as son-in-law and jockey Chris Landeros rode Bourbon Resolution home to a stunning upset victory in the $200,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3).

The More Than Ready filly ran for the first time since her win in Keeneland’s Oct. 13 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes Presented by Lane’s End (G1T) and carried her record to four stakes wins in Lexington, where she has never been defeated.

Monarch of Egypt, the first runner for U.S. Triple Crown hero and freshman sire American Pharoah, made a winning debut in the 5f Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Naas April 13, dispelling any doubts that the sire’s progeny would not act on turf. 

On an afternoon of near unprecedented expectation, adoration and emotion, the racing wonder that is Winx (AUS) left the stage in style, bidding goodbye to her fans with one last virtuoso performance.

Each Saturday NTRA and BloodHorse will provide a one-stop guide to the day’s top stakes races in North America and beyond. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern).

Phoenix Thoroughbreds and KatieRich Stables’ Lady Apple was the surprise winner of the $500,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park for 3-year-old fillies April 12, earning her first graded stakes victory.

The Jockey and Equestrian Initiative, part of the world-class Sports Medicine Research Institute at the University of Kentucky, aims to conduct research on jockey and equestrian riding protection, safety, and performance.

Champion sprinter Harry Angel will shuttle to Darley’s Kelvinside base in New South Wales this year, where he will stand for an introductory fee of AU$22,000 (US$15,700).

Popular retired jockey Bobby Yanez, 75, died April 9 from internal injuries suffered in a head-on car crash March 5 near San Diego, according to Santa Anita Park publicity. 

After a solid run in his stakes debut in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) April 6, Woodford Racing’s Campaign will make a quick turnaround for the Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) April 14 at Santa Anita Park.

After just missing a top-level score last year, Delta Prince would not be denied April 12 at Keeneland, rallying from last to win the $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile Stakes (G1T) by open lengths.

Monarch of Egypt will become the first runner sired by Triple Crown hero American Pharoah when the 2-year-old lines up for Aidan O’Brien in the opening contest of Naas’s April 13 card, the five-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF race.

Gleneagles got his stud career off to the perfect start when Highland Chief—his first runner—made a winning debut in the West Berkshire Brewery Newcomers EBF Maiden Stakes at Newbury April 12.

There’s already a bit of rivalry in the ranks for the April 14 Satsuki Sho (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse, the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown.

Arthur Hancock III has bred two Kentucky Derby winners and owned and raised a third. He is heading back to America’s premier classic as the breeder of Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster.