Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds look to end the year on a high note Saturday night at Delta Downs in a pair of five-furlong stakes worth $60,000 apiece.

Foreign Production, who beat open company in the Old Hickory Stakes at Fair Grounds last month, should rule a strong favorite in a field of nine males for the Calcasieu (race 8). Rocket Reese, 2 for 3 for trainer Eric Heitzmann, heads a group of 10 fillies in the Creme de la Creme (race 6).

Two weeks ago, Foreign Production finished third as the 2-5 favorite in the Louisiana Juvenile on Champions Day at Fair Grounds. In that six-furlong race, Foreign Production was up close to a swift pace, stuck his head in front at the eighth pole, but faltered late and was overtaken by 68-1 longshot Break Up and Hawthorne shipper Cocktail Clarence.

“We might have gone a little too fast early,” said trainer James Hodges. “It’s tough to go 21 and 2 and 45 flat and then hang on at the Fair Grounds. That’s a mighty long stretch.”

Hodges has given the call to leading rider Gerard Melancon.

Not Grounded, the upset winner of the lucrative D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs in July, is the other stakes winner in the field. He will break from the outside post under veteran Curt Bourque.

Takin’ the Bullet, a recent allowance winner locally in his first try over dirt, has a chance to pull an upset. Trained by James Hudson, Takin’ the Bullet graduated at first asking over the Louisiana Downs turf in late June and also finished third in the Sunny’s Halo Stakes on grass. Diego Saenz will handle the riding chores.

Creme de la Creme favorite Rocket Reese most recently captured an entry-level allowance at Fair Grounds, leading every step of the way while being ridden by Jesse Campbell for the first time.

“Talking to Jesse in the paddock, it looked like we could make the front,” Heitzmann said. “There was not a lot of speed in there, but she is tactical enough to lay off of it as well. She has shown promise and we are expecting good things from her.”

Reckon returns to action following some freshening after a fruitful summer campaign. She won her first two starts by a combined 15 lengths before finishing second in both the filly division of the Shine Young Futurity and the Laurel Lane Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Colby Hernandez has the call.

Channing Hill drove to New York from Nebraska immediately upon graduating from high school, and he has never left.

After a solid apprentice year of 2005, in which he won 115 races on the New York Racing Association circuit and finished second to Emma-Jayne Wilson for the Eclipse Award, Hill was able to maintain enough business – and success – to make New York his permanent home.

With the tremendous changeover that occurs each winter here, Hill, despite being only 21 years old, now seems like one of the elder statesmen in the Aqueduct jockeys’ room. Having enjoyed the best year of his career in 2008, Hill can only hope that he will now command the type of business that will enable him to elevate his status on this circuit on a year-round basis.

“It’s just a matter of paying my dues,” Hill said recently. “I felt like I’ve been here long enough to get good opportunities, but I still got to show people that I work hard and that I want to ride top horses. I think it’s just going to be a matter of time.”

Hill has made steady progress during his time in New York. In 2007, he was the 10th-leading rider on this circuit in wins with 93. Entering the final four days of racing in 2008, he ranks seventh in the NYRA standings with 122 victories. He has won eight races during the first two weeks of Aqueduct’s inner-track meet, putting him one behind leader Ramon Dominguez.

Hill also made the most of his limited opportunities to ride top horses in 2008. Hill won nine stakes, including his first Grade 1 when he guided First Defence to victory in the Forego at Saratoga for Juddmonte Farms and Bobby Frankel. Hill’s other graded wins came in the Stuyvesant (Dry Martini), the Athenia (Sunshine for Life), the Barbara Fritchie (Golden Dawn), and Black-Eyed Susan (Sweet Vendetta).

For Hill, the Black-Eyed Susan has been the biggest of his 473 career victories, because his father, Allan Hill won the same race aboard My Juliet in 1975.

“That was really special – he got to be there,” Hill, a native of Columbus, Neb., said. “I made them drive from Nebraska to Maryland just for that reason – I wanted them to be there in case I won. I loved that filly. What a beautiful horse to ride.”

The victory was one of 13 Hill has recorded for Gary Contessa this year. Contessa is the leading trainer on the New York circuit – and he dominates this time of year – so it is important for Hill to get into that barn.

Hill credits Steve Asmussen and his assistant Toby Sheets for using him after he lost his apprentice status in 2005.

“He just put me on hang-ons that just dragged me around there,” Hill said of Asmussen. “Anyone could have won on them, but it showed people I still could win a race.”

For the most part, Hill’s success is tied in with trainer Mike Hushion, who has been a supporter of Hill’s since his arrival here in late 2004. Hushion liked the fact that Hill was conscientious about saving ground and also liked the feedback he would get following a race.

“Of course, he’s a pleasure to deal with. He’s one of the nicer kids to come through the room over the years,” Hushion said.

Hushion believes Hill has become a stronger rider over the years.

“I think he’s a stronger finisher now than he was a year ago,” Hushion said. “He’s to the point where he’s not going to let anyone push him around out there.”

“Since losing the bug I feel like I’ve gotten a little stronger,” Hill said. “My left hand’s a little stronger, my whipping in general is a little stronger. I hope that I ride a smarter race now than when I had the bug.”

For Hill to take the next step forward, he is going to have to get better mounts. Thirteen of his last 20 winners have paid $11 or more.

“I would like to see him ride more lower-priced horses and I’m sure he would, too,” Hushion said.

While it is unlikely Hill will be able to compete with Dominguez for leading honors at this meet, he said his goal is to remain in the top three.

“There are a lot of very good-quality riders coming every day,” Hill said. “Especially the young riders. Rajiv Maragh, he could be one of the best riders in the next couple of years. Rosie Napravnik, what’s she done wrong in her career? Even Pablo Morales, he’s riding a lot for Contessa. Even the apprentices are going to get a lot of business. Hopefully, if I just keep going out and try my best good things will happen.”

Legendary French trainer Maurice Zilber died on Thursday at the age of 87 after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Cairo, Egypt, where he began his career as a Thoroughbred trainer, Zilber in 1956 moved to France where many of his best horses were owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt, Daniel Wildenstein, and Marcel Boussac.

France’s leading trainer in 1968 and 1969, Zilber enjoyed a phenomenal decade during the 1970s. His best horse was the Hunt-owned Dahlia. She was British champion in 1973 and 1974, winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes both years and the Grand Prix de Paris in 1974. She won Laurel’s D.C. International in 1973 and was named Eclipse Award winner as best turf horse a year later after victories in the Man o’ War Stakes and the Canadian International.

Zilber would win three more D.C. Internationals: with Nobiliary in 1975, Youth in 1976, and Argument in 1980. In 1977 he won a second Canadian International with Exceller before that horse was switched to Charlie Whittingham, for whom he would beat Seattle Slew in a memorable Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Zilber won the Epsom Derby and the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) in the same year, turning the trick in 1976 with Youth and Empery. He never won a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but was runner-up in 1978 with Trillion, who a year later would win the Eclipse Award as best female turf runner without winning a race in North America, as she finished second in the Canadian International, the Turf Classic, the Oak Tree Invitational, and the D.C. International.

Zilber trained for Khaldid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms in the latter part of his career before retiring in 2005.

Following an 11-day break at Aqueduct, horseplayers are naturally champing at the bit to get back in action as racing resumes Friday with a nine-race card that includes a tantalizing pick six carryover of $150,027.

The pick six went unhit over the weekend of Dec. 13-14 as the percentage of winning favorites fell from above 40 percent to a more inner-track-like 37 percent. As usual, the pick six will be on the final six races on the card, with post time for the first leg scheduled for 1:52 p.m. Eastern.

The forecast for Friday is for mostly cloudy skies with a high of 38 degrees and only a 10 percent chance of precipitation. Here’s a look at the pick six sequence:

Race 4: Could do worse for a single than Brother of Gold, who was disqualified from first when beating open $20,000 maiden claimers last out. He now shortens up a sixteenth of a mile and drops into a New York-bred $25,000 maiden claimer for leading trainer Gary Contessa. Tony the Terio, who has two decent races over the inner track from last winter, returns from six-month layoff for low-profile connections. Collooney County is the only one dropping from maiden special weight company. However, he has only finished ahead of four horses in six-race career. Living Out a Dream’s last race two races make him competitive with these.

Race 5: Smokin Warrior returns from Penn National and drops to a bottom-level claimer for trainer David Jacobson, whose best game is dropping them down. Methodtomymadness could prove to be main speed under C.C. Lopez and has run well over the inner. Vicarino drops to the lowest level of his career after showing nothing for connections who bought him privately in the summer.

Race 6: Despite terrible form, Birthday Balloonz could merit single status based on trainer Bruce Levine’s 5-for-7 record the last three years with runners dropping from maiden special weight to maiden claiming and making their first start for him. Moment Sensor is the only other one to consider as he switches to Bruce Brown and takes a slight drop after trouble in his debut.

Race 7: Dynamite Jewel returns to trainer Dominic Galluscio, who saddled him to a maiden win over the inner track in February. Expect a front-running ride from Lopez from rail. Madam Commander’s lone win from 16 lifetime starts came over the inner track in March. Warrior Miss goes turf-to-dirt off a win and is one of two mounts on the card for Florida-bound Alan Garcia. Linda’s Baby, the only multiplewinner in the race, was compromised from post 11 last out. Previous two efforts put her right there.

Race 8: Noble Sound lived up to his $2.8 million price tag for Darley Stable in a belated debut. Rodman may have needed his last race when finishing a tiring fourth. M.J.’s Enchanteur has won 3 of 6 – all minor stakes – and is likely a pace factor under Lopez. Raised for Speed ships in for Steve Klesaris and attracts Ramon Dominguez, who won on him at Delaware. On With It reeled off three straight wins for Linda Rice in fall; returns from freshening.

Race 9: Fly the North Wind ran several respectable races over the inner track last winter and drops to the level of a blowout victory at Belmont in October. Post is a concern. Express to Thewest goes turf to dirt and drops in class, a move that resulted in an off-the-turf win at Belmont in September. All in No Outs may not have appreciated a six-day turnaround when fifth as favorite at this level in November. Owns a win over the inner track. Sumphin is worth consideration if he is able to draw in from the also-eligible list.

Hollywood Park ended its 40-day autumn meeting on Sunday with the expected declines in attendance and handle.

According to figures released by the track, all-sources average handle on Hollywood races, including ontrack, satellite, and account-wagering sources, was $8,951,903, a drop of 18.3 percent from last year’s meet. All categories showed double-digit declines. Ontrack average handle was $1,056,996, a drop of 21 percent; account wagering fell 22.8 percent, to $1,354,647; and out-of-state simulcasting fell 21 percent.

Fighting an economy in recession, Hollywood Park had its business further hampered by a contract dispute between the Thoroughbred Owners of California and four account wagering companies over distribution of revenue from Internet and telephone wagering sources outside the state

Customers who wager through those systems were unable to bet on Hollywood Park races for more than three weeks of the eight-week meeting. The owners’ group is the state’s official representative for purses and must approve purse contracts.

As a result of the economy and the account-wagering dispute, purses were essentially cut three times this fall – by 7 percent before the meeting in anticipation of slow handle, by 6.25 percent on Oct. 29 (opening day) because of the account wagering dispute, and by 5 percent in late November because of poor business.

Average ontrack attendance fell 12 percent, to 4,353.

“We ran into a double whammy in the fall with the poor economy and an unexpected account-wagering standoff,” track president Jack Liebau said in a statement. “The decrease in business affected everyone as purses had to be cut.”

According to a track statement, account-wagering handle rose from a daily average of $993,320 during the 17-day dispute to more than $1.6 million after the issue was resolved. For the final 23 days of the meeting, after the dispute was resolved, the track had an average all-sources handle of $9.3 million, which was still a decline of 15.2 percent from 2007.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano capped a remarkable first full year in California by winning 52 races, 20 more than runner-up Joel Rosario. Bejarano, 26, swept the five riding titles at the major race meetings in Southern California in 2008.

Trainer Doug O’Neill saddled a record 27 winners at the fall meeting, his fourth title at the meet. O’Neill, 40, held the previous record of 24 wins at the fall meeting, set in 2006. John Sadler was second with 21 winners.

Quarter Horse jockey Sam Thompson was in critical condition at Los Alamitos Medical Center on Sunday evening after being thrown from his mount in a one-horse spill on Saturday, according to Los Alamitos track officials.

According to a friend of Thompson’s, the 35-year-old jockey suffered a neck injury. Members of his family were flying to Southern California on Sunday to be at his side. The extent of Thompson’s injury was not immediately known.

The accident occurred in Saturday’s eighth race. Thompson was riding Harems Dynasty who suffered an injury after a 300-yard race for maidens. Thompson was unseated, and may have been struck by Harems Dynasty while he was on the ground.

Harems Dynasty was believed to be injured during the running of the race, according to Cody Joiner, an assistant to his father, trainer Mike Joiner.

Sam realized that something was wrong but he probably did not know exactly what, Cody Joiner said in a statement released by the track. He tried to pull the horse up.

Sam is one of my best friends in the world. We play golf every Monday. We never miss a Monday golf outing. Sam was excited to ride this filly. That’s all he talked about (Saturday) morning. He didn’t want any other rider to get on her in the mornings. We are all hoping for the best for Sam.

Thompson, 35, was sidelined earlier this year with a broken foot. He has won several major races at the Quarter Horse track in the last decade. Thompson was regular rider of the millionaire Corona Kool in the late 1990s and earlier this decade, and has won the Los Alamitos Million Futurity twice.

For many years, Thompson has been closely allied with former champion trainer Donna McArthur. This year, Thompson has won 28 races from 210 mounts that have earned $499,484.

It’s a long way from the CashCall Futurity to the Kentucky Derby, but the road there looked a little shorter for Pioneerof the Nile following his hard-fought victory over I Want Revenge in the Grade 1, $750,000 Cash Call Futurity on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Pioneerof the Nile ($4.80), the favorite, prevailed by a nose over I Want Revenge in the 1 1/16-mile race, but it was the prospect of what he had done to date, and what the future holds, that had his connections so excited after the race.

“He’s a May foal by Empire Maker. He’s not supposed to be running this well as a 2-year-old,” said Ahmed Zayat, who bred and owns Pioneerof the Nile.

Bob Baffert, who now trains Pioneerof the Nile, said the 2-year-old colt is “a big, one-paced horse who covers a lot of ground.”

“A mile and a sixteenth, hes not going to quicken with them,” Baffert said. “A mile and an eighth and longer, he’s just getting in gear. He was just getting started.”

Pioneerof the Nile got a perfect stalking trip under jockey Garrett Gomez, who was able to ride despite a suspension because the Futurity is a designated race. As Ventana and Frumious set off early and dueled through fractions of 23.42 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.08 seconds for a half-mile, Pioneerof the Nile settled into third, outside and in the clear.

Gomez began shoving on Pioneerof the Nile on the turn, and Pioneerof the Nile gradually advanced on the leaders. He took over just inside the furlong pole, then bravely held off I Want Revenge, who rallied menacingly heading into the stretch but never could get past Pioneerof the Nile.

“When he makes the lead, he pulls himself up,” Baffert said. “As soon as he saw the other horse, he dug in.”

Chocolate Candy finished another 1 1/2 lengths back in third. Of the other fancied runners, Bittel Road was fourth and Azul Leon fifth in the field of 11. Mr. Rod was scratched.

Pioneerof the Nile completed 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track in 1:41.95. He gave Baffert his fourth win in this race, following Captain Steve, Point Given, and Real Quiet, all of whom proved to be major stakes winners.

Bill Mott trained Pioneerof the Nile for his first four starts. He was turned over to Baffert following the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, in which he finished fifth.

“He came to me in really good shape,” Baffert said. “This is a pretty good gift.”

‘Tis the season.

Favorite Vacare held off Gotta Have Her and In My Glory to score a one-length victory in the $150,000 Dahlia Handicap on the closing day at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

Ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., Vacare covered 1 1-16 miles on the turf in 1:43.13 and paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.40. Gotta Have Her returned $3.60 and $2.80. In My Glory paid $5.40 to show.

With the win, Vacare banked $90,000 to boost her earnings to $1.2 million. Trainer Christophe Clement also got his 1,000th win. Vacares connections said the 5-year-old mare will be retired.

Shes such a pleasure to ride. Im going to miss her a lot, but at least she goes out a winner, Valdivia said.

Rafael Bejarano added another jockeys title by riding 52 winners at Hollywood Parks 40-day meet. He completed a sweep of the five major Southern California meetings this year. Doug ONeill saddled 30 winners to take the training title. Its the seventh time ONeill was the top trainer at Hollywood Park.

Track officials said attendance during the meet fell 12 percent compared to last year.

CAROLINA 3, MONTREAL 2 (OT)

MONTREAL Tuomo Ruutu scored 1:43 into overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes recorded a 3-2 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens.

Eric Staal recorded a goal and two assists and former Canadien Sergei Samsonov scored and set up a tally for Carolina, which improved to 3-1-0 in its last four games.

Cam Ward turned aside 26 shots for the Hurricanes.

Rookie Matt DAgostini and Robert Lang scored and Alex Tanguay notched two assists for Montreal, which saw its modest two-game winning streak come to an end.

After missing his teams last six games with the flu and a lower body injury, Carey Price finished with 24 saves for the Canadiens.

NEW JERSEY 3, PHILADELPHIA 2 (SO)

NEWARK, New Jersey Travis Zajac scored in the fifth round of the shootout and Scott Clemmensen stopped 27 shots as the New Jersey Devils posted a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Patrik Elias and Brian Rolston each scored in regulation for New Jersey, which has won 12 of its last 15 games (12-2-1).

Jeff Carter and Joffrey Lupul scored for Philadelphia, which was coming off a 7-1 rout of Washington on Saturday.

FLORIDA 3, COLORADO 0

SUNRISE, Florida Tomas Vokoun stopped all 23 shots he faced as the Florida Panthers recorded a 3-0 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche.

Brett McLean netted his first goal of the season in the second period and Richard Zednik and defenseman Bryan McCabe also tallied for Florida, which finally won a game in regulation on its home ice against the Avalanche.

Not since the then-Quebec Nordiques lost, 4-2, at Miami Arena in 1995 has Florida found a way to get past that franchise in South Florida.

Vokoun stopped three shots in the first period, eight in the second and 12 in the third to notch his second shutout of the season and 27th career.

Peter Budaj finished with 21 saves for Colorado, which fell to 11-2-0 all-time against the Panthers.

BOSTON 6, ST. LOUIS 3

ST. LOUIS Rookie Blake Wheeler scored two goals to help the Boston Bruins extend their winning streak to five games with a 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

Defenseman Shane Hnidy and Michael Ryder netted power-play goals, while Marc Savard and Vladimir Sobotka added tallies for the Bruins, who notched their first win in St. Louis since October 17, 1995. They had been 0-3-4 in their last seven contests there.

David Krejci had three assists and Phil Kessel set up two others to increase his points streak to 18 games in support of Manny Fernandez, who made 29 saves.

Brad Winchester scored with the man advantage and Jay McClement and Yan Stastny chipped in one goal apiece for the Blues, who have dropped six of their last seven.

Goalie Justin Pogge, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first pick in the 2004 NHL draft, could finally play in the NHL after 111 career AHL games.

The Maple Leafs recalled Pogge on Sunday from the Toronto Marlies before Monday’s game against the Atlanta Thrashers.

In 22 games with the Marlies this season, Pogge is 10-9-3 with a 2.86 goals-against average and an .890 save percentage.

The 22-year-old Pogge was the 90th pick in the 2004 draft. The Leafs first called him up in January, but Pogge didn’t see any game action and was reassigned back to the Marlies the next day.