Several turf stakes on the De Francis Dash undercard went to longshots, but favorite Hello Don Julio held serve in the Laurel Turf Cup.
Trainer King T. Leatherbury logged the 6,500th win of his career when Happy Lantern scored at 16-1 at Laurel Park.
Monomoy Girl was first past the post, but Midnight Bisou was put after being fouled in the stretch to win the G1 Cotillion at Parx Racing.
The Michael Stidham-trained Elsa, who won easily at first asking at Laurel Park, is favored in Saturday’s grassy Selima Stakes.
Trainer Hamilton Smith will send out two recent maiden winners in a full and contentious Laurel Futurity Saturday afternoon.
Saturday’s G3 Charles Town Oaks has drawn 13 entrants — only 10 can start — with the most tepid of lukewarm favorites in Alter Moon, who is 7-2 on the morning line.
The Pegasus World Cup this year will feature a $9 million dirt race and a $7 million turf event, both at Gulfstream Park.
Undefeated in 2018, Monomoy Girl will put her record to the test when she tackles a solid field in the G1 Cotillion Saturday at Parx Racing.
McKinzie, who hasn’t raced since March, is the 5-2 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing.
Multiple graded stakes winner Something Awesome is back at work and aiming – if all goes to plan – at the Breeders’ Cup in November.