ARCADIA, Calif. – Gold Phoenix’s ninth graded stakes win in Saturday’s Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes will prompt discussions about a possible trip to Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day.

Last May, Gold Phoenix finished fourth in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic at Churchill, closing from last of 10 to finish 1 1/4 lengths behind race winner Spirit of St Louis. The same $1.5 million race at 1 1/8 miles on May 2 is a possibility.

Gold Phoenix ended a two-race losing streak in the San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles, closing from seventh of eight.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – With bigger fish to fry down the road for Lennilu, including a potential trip to Ascot early this summer, trainer Patrick Biancone was anxious to clear the first hurdle on the comeback trail with his multiple stakes-winning 3-year-old in Sunday’s $125,000 Melody of Colors Stakes.

The talented filly accomplished the mission in popular fashion with a workman-like, three-quarters-of-a-length victory over pacesetting Mystical Belle in the five-furlong turf fixture.

Outfielder is penciled in to join trainer Wesley Ward’s annual raiding party at the renowned Royal Ascot meeting in June in England after a dominant win in the Animal Kingdom for 3-year-old sprinters on Saturday at Turfway.

Ward, who co-owns the colt with Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing and former baseball player Jayson Werth, said he will target the Group 1 Commonwealth for sophomores on June 19.

“He’s really coming into his own,” Ward said. “I think he’s gonna have a big year. Kia, he’s all about Royal Ascot, and I’d like to get Jayson there.”

A thumbs-up from trainer Brad Cox by text on Sunday confirmed Fulleffort emerged in good order from his victory in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby on Saturday at Turfway Park, assuring himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate with the winner’s share of 100 points.

Fulleffort and Lorelei Lee, who won the Bourbonette Oaks for trainer Mike Maker to earn 50 points toward the Kentucky Oaks, would race on dirt for the first time at Churchill Downs on the first weekend in May.

After he wraps up what could be a record-setting meet at Tampa Bay Downs in six weeks, jockey Samuel Marin will be based at Delaware Park this summer, his agent Mike Moran said Sunday.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Full Serrano, winner of the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, is part of a field of eight for the Grade 3, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile that will be held on the Arkansas Derby undercard Saturday. First post for the 14-race card is 11:35 a.m. Central.

Full Serrano will be making his first start since finishing third in the Pegasus World Cup won by Skippylongstocking. Antonio Fresu has the mount on Full Serrano from post 5 for trainer John Sadler.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Explora is part of a field of six for the Grade 2, $1 million Fantasy, a Kentucky Oaks points race that will be showcased on Friday’s 12-race card at Oaklawn Park. The Fantasy will be supported by the $250,000 Matron, which drew millionaire Haulin Ice.

Explora won the Grade 3, $750,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn earlier this month. She will start from post 6 in the Fantasy. Trainer Bob Baffert has given the mount to Flavien Prat.