| LOWHANGINGFRUIT | "That was easy", and a hint to the first part of 17, 28, and 48 across |
| DNASAMPLE | Crime lab specimen, and a part of 17-, 28- and 47-Across |
| CHIPMUNKS | Singing group suggested by the first parts of 17-, 28- and 50-Across, with "the" |
| SPOT | Word that can follow the first part of 17-, 25-, 35-, 50-, and 59-Across |
| BEN | Name associated with the first part of 17-, 29-, 49-, and 65-Across |
| ITSADATE | "I'm there!" ... and hint to the first part of the answers to starred clues |
| HORSERACE | What the puzzle's title refers to; the first parts of the starred entries, in clue order, give the order of the top three finishers |
| THEFOURSEASONS | Name given to the first part of Antonio Vivaldi's set of concerti, The Contest between Harmony and Invention |
| THREETIMESALADY | 1978 hit whose title is sung after "You're once, twice," ... and a hint to the starts of 17-, 28- and 50- Across |
| WALKOVER | Cross the room - that was easy (8) |
| AGREE | Correspond to the first part of agreeable (5) |
| STAPLES | "that was easy." company |
| NOTHINGTOIT | That was easy! |
| NOSWEAT | "That was easy" |
| WHATABREEZE | "That was easy!" |
| PIECEOFCAKE | "That was easy!" |
| FEZZAN | Name for the historic region of northern Africa and until 1963 one of the three provinces of the United Kingdom of Libya. It is part of 17 Across and now constitutes the southwestern sector of Libya. |
| UNFRIENDED | Cast aside, in social media (and a hint to 17-, 28-, and 48-Across) |
| HUEANDCRY | Public uproar ... or a phonetic hint to the two words in 17-, 28- and 48-Across? |
| FIREFIGHTER | Professional whose safety message is found in the beginnings of 17-, 28-, and 48-Across |
