Los Alamitos

The world's top-rated horse, Calandagan, was all out to defeat Japan's best, Masquerade Ball, by a head at the end of the 1 1/2 miles of the Japan Cup (G1) Nov. 30 at Tokyo Racecourse.

Bella Ballerina, a half sister to 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Pretty Mischievous, is on the Oaks trail herself after a win in the $397,375 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Nov. 29.

Report from Japan

Libertad produced the biggest performance of his career and one of the most dramatic finishes of The Pinnacles when the 5-year-old entire lunged late to deny Overpass the Winterbottom Stakes.

Satono Voyage set sail on a voyage that could find him at Churchill Downs in May with a victory Nov. 29 in the first leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Over the four days of selling, 646 lots sold for 37,893,400 guineas (US$52,671,826), down 13% year on year, while the average finished at 58,660 guineas (US$81,537), also down 13%, but the median came in at a record 30,500 guineas (US$42,395).

Group 1 winner Scorthy Champ will be standing at Barton Stud in 2026 as Tom Blain's team adds another aspect to the operation.

Seabiscuit is considered one of horse racing's greatest longshot stories, so fittingly the $200,000 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar Nov. 29 was won by the race's longest shot: Call Sign Seven at 68-1.