David Miller reaches win No 9,000; Aaron Merriman enjoys top of driver standings; Share The Delight hopes to take flight (only figuratively); Palone Ranger riding high again; Equine job fair in Goshen; a look back.

UPCOMING EVENTS: The George Morton Levy Series begins at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday. The Classic Series for older trotters and pacers begins April 6 at Dover Downs. The Su Mac Lad Series final is April 10 at the Meadowlands.

LEADERS OF THE PACK: Entering Monday, Aaron Merriman led all drivers in North America in wins, with 188. Dave Palone was second with 165 while Tony Morgan was third with 162. They were followed by Peter Wrenn, with 138, and Matt Kakaley, with 133. Tim Tetrick led the way in earnings with $1.86 million while David Miller was second, with $1.67 million. Brian Sears ($1.61 million), Morgan ($1.51 million) and George Brennan ($1.46 million) rounded out the top five.

MILLER MILESTONE: David Miller on March 22 recorded career driving victory No. 9,000 with a win behind Redstone Ruckus in the sixth race at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The 44-year-old Ohio native ranks 11th in lifetime harness racing wins and fifth in career purse earnings ($121 million) among all North American drivers.

Its something Im very proud of, said Miller, who leads the standings at the Meadowlands this season with 95 victories. Its a great accomplishment. Those wins dont come easy. Ive been very fortunate.

Miller shared leading driver honors at the Big M with Luc Ouellette in 2003. He won the Pacing Triple Crown with No Pan Intended that season and was named Driver of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association.

TOP 10 DRIVERS CAREER WINS: 1. Herve Filion 15,174; 2. Catello Manzi 13,268; 3. David Palone 12,944; 4. Tony Morgan 12,865; 5. Walter Case Jr. 11,038; 6. Dave Magee 11,008; 7. John Campbell 10,087; 8. Mike Lachance 9,993; 9. Billy Parker Jr. 9,533; 10. Jack Moiseyev 9,235.

TOP 10 DRIVERS CAREER PURSES: 1. John Campbell $260 million; 2. Mike Lachance $176 million; 3. Ron Pierce $146 million; 4. Catello Manzi $133 million; 5. David Miller $121 million; 6. Luc Ouellette $116 million; 7. Jack Moiseyev $111 million; 8. Bill ODonnell $97.9 million; 9. Steve Condren $96.8 million; 10. Tony Morgan $96.4 million.

MERRIMAN ENJOYS SPOT AT TOP OF DRIVER STANDINGS

Aaron Merriman finished sixth in wins among all harness racing drivers in North America last season, so he is no stranger to the top 10 list. He just might not be as familiar yet with his current spot No. 1.

Merriman, who drives regularly at both Northfield Park in Ohio and The Meadows in western Pennsylvania, entered Monday with 187 wins and held a 22-victory lead over second-place Dave Palone. Merriman has been the leading driver at Northfield each of the past three seasons. He leads the standings again this year and is eighth at The Meadows.

Its exciting, the 30-year-old Merriman said about his place in the North American standings. I dont know how long it will last, whether it will continue, but its kind of a neat experience. Im just really working a lot, between Northfield and The Meadows. I got my foot in the door last March at The Meadows, so Ive been going there pretty steady. Its a little tiring, but the driving is going really well.

Merriman started in the sport with his father Lanny, who has nearly 1,200 lifetime wins as a driver and more than 500 victories as a trainer. Merriman got his first win in 1998 and had his first million-dollar season in 2004. He won 558 races in 2006, good for ninth place in North America, and set career highs with 612 victories and $3.1 million in earnings in 2008. Entering Monday, he was three wins from 3,500 for his career.

As one of the new kids on the block at The Meadows, it can be more difficult for Merriman to get top assignments, particularly with the likes of Palone, Tony Hall, Mike Wilder and Brett Miller already established in the driving colony.

It doesnt really bother me, I just like driving, Merriman said. Everyone wants to have power, but sometimes its not the case. It just doesnt work out that way. There are a lot of other guys in this business with talent.

Driving at The Meadows, which is a five-eighths-mile oval, may have helped Merriman become a better driver at Northfield, which is a half-mile oval, by exposing him to a different type of racing.

Its not typical for five-eighths-mile racing, Merriman said. Horse just cannot live on the outside at The Meadows like they can other places. Its kind of helped me at Northfield because its got me to be a bit more patient.

Merriman has no plans to change his routine at the moment. In the future, though, he will need to have shoulder surgery as the result of an accident suffered last year and could be sidelined for up to six months.

Im happy with what I have, Merriman said. Ive got a 6-year-old son (Kristopher) that I really base my life around. I want to stay here for now because he goes to kindergarten in Ohio and its a very nice area. As long as I can keep up the doubleheaders and make a living, and Im not gone too much, its good.

He also might keep an eye on the driver standings as the year progresses.

If it gets toward the end of the year and Ive got a chance to be the top dash guy, its something I might shoot for, he said. But Ive got a lot on my plate.

SHARE THE DELIGHT HOPES TO TAKE FLIGHT, BUT ONLY FIGURATIVELY

Share The Delight does sort of have a shiny nose, but no one would ever say it glows. Yet, the 4-year-old pacer is known around trainer Linda Toscanos stable as Rudolph, and with good reason.

His nickname is Rudolph because he jumps high a lot, but hes capable of saving Christmas, Toscano said with a laugh.

Share The Delight showed plenty of talent the past two years, but also a penchant for going off stride. Last season, he made a break in his North America Cup elimination and failed to reach the final. A month later, he won his Meadowlands Pace elimination (providing driver John Campbell with career victory No. 10,000 in the process) and finished third in the $1.1 million final. Such was life with Share The Delight.

So far this year, the son of Bettors Delight-Angels Share has won two of three starts as he prepares for a possible trip to the George Morton Levy Series at Yonkers Raceway. The first of the Levys five preliminary legs is Saturday. The final is May 2.

Actually, hes doing pretty well this year, Toscano said. We learned a lot about him last year and how easily he gets stressed. He seems to really thrive on a routine. Every time we got him to where we were really pleased with him, Id put him on a truck and ship him somewhere and he just didnt seem to do well out of his own environment.

Im hoping his 4-year-old season will bode better because he gets to stay local and not do a lot of traveling. He doesnt mind the short stints, where he gets to come home and sleep in his own bed, so to speak. He always trains down without incident. He would take on the world. He really has a great work ethic and he loves to race. I think sometimes he just tries to go too fast too soon. I think he just jumps the gun and gets too aggressive and thats when he ends up jumping it off.

Despite his troubles, Share The Delight has won 10 of 28 races and earned $366,862 in his career for owners The Four Horsemen Stable and Algonquin Farms. He began this season with a seventh-place finish, but followed it with consecutive victories at the Meadowlands Racetrack. His most recent triumph, on March 21, came in a lifetime best 1:50.1.

We gave him an easy first start; he had some road traffic, but he handled it well, Toscano said. He came back (a week ago), and I know he was down in class, but he went a very credible race considering he had to come first up after being used a little bit at the start. Well keep our fingers crossed. If I take him to the Levy, thats when well see if hes really better than he has been.

He acts really, really, good right now. Thats all I can tell you.

PALONE RANGER RIDING HIGH AGAIN

After overcoming foot problems at the beginning of the year, Palone Ranger seems to be putting his best foot forward as he prepares for the George Morton Levy Series at Yonkers Raceway. The 6-year-old pacer, who has won $1.1 million in his career, is coming off consecutive victories at Yonkers after struggling in four January appearances at the Meadowlands.

The first of the Levys five preliminary legs is Saturday. The final is May 2.

Hes doing very well; we gave him a little time off and then his feet were bothering him, trainer Greg Peck said. He had a quarter crack; its the time of the year that they seem to get them. Some horses are prone to them, but actually this is the first time hes done it. He ended up with two of them, one on the left front foot and one on the right hind. Joe Brandau patched them.

I figured the fact that he could drop a couple notches in class (at Yonkers), it was a good way to go in to the Levy. (I wanted) to go in to the Levy off a win.

Palone Ranger, who is owned by Four Friends Racing Stable, has won 13 of 88 career races and finished second or third on 30 other occasions. Last year, he won a Levy leg and just missed by a nose (against Mr Feelgood) in the Presidential final. He was fourth in the Breeders Crown and William Haughton.

His biggest victory came as a 3-year-old in 2006 when he won the $546,830 Messenger Stakes at Yonkers. The Messenger is one of the Pacing Triple Crown events. Lifetime, Palone Ranger has won five of 12 starts at Yonkers, but should not be characterized as a small-track specialist, according to Peck.

A lot of people think that because of the Messenger, but Id say hes equally effective on any track, Peck said.

Peck has not altered the training schedule for Palone Ranger, who he has trained since late in his 3-year-old season.

He trains about the same as he always has, Peck said. Hes pretty athletic, stays fit, so its not hard to keep him in shape. He keeps himself in shape pretty well.

BLUERIDGE SHARP: Levy hopeful Blueridge Western posted his second consecutive win on March 21 at Yonkers with a 1:52.2 effort, cruising to a 5-3/4 lengths triumph. Blueridge Western has won 13 of 45 career races and earned $797,164. The 4-year-olds top victory last season came in the $215,000 Berrys Creek final at the Meadowlands. He was second in the Max Hempt, American-National and Matron Stakes, and was third in the Breeders Crown.

JOB FAIR TO BE HELD IN GOSHEN

Seeking employment in the horse world? The U.S. Trotting Association and Harness Racing Museum will hold an equine job fair from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29. The event, which will have representatives from about 20 potential employers, will be held at the museum. The museum is located at 240 Main Street in Goshen, New York.

Job seekers are asked to bring at least 25 copies of their resume and to be prepared to meet potential employers. Those who do not have a prepared resume will be offered assistance in completing a standard application and provided with copies.

Standardbred farms and other industry employers from New York and neighboring states will be represented at the job fair, including top breeders Hanover Shoe Farms and Blue Chip Farm. Job opportunities might be current, future, seasonal, part time, or permanent. A full list of potential employers will be announced when finalized.

The USTA recognizes this is a very labor-intensive industry; horses need skilled care every day of the year, USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner said. Were pleased to join forces with the museum to put together those who need help at their farms and stables with those who want to work in the horse industry.

The Harness Racing Museum encourages interest in the sport and supports its local constituents, said Ebby Gerry, museum president. Our relationship with the community has always been close; this positive plan to match those looking for employment with Standardbred farms that are, in many cases, desperately in need of workers, will be rewarding for all concerned.

For more information, contact Katie Vermilyea, Education Coordinator, at hrmlibrary2@gmail.com or call 845-294-6330.

SHOW TIME: Down the Stretch, the popular weekly show covering North American horse racing on Sirius Satellite Radio, has added a segment focusing on WEG Standardbred racing. This is in addition to the existing 30-minute segment on harness racing sponsored by the U.S. Trotting Association and Harness Tracks of America.

Hosts Bill Finley and Dave Johnson cover the world of racing every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon (EST).The show, which also includes reporter Caton Bredar, also features the latest insider news, stakes previews and handicapping segments. For more information, visit http://www.sirius.com/horseracing.

BACKTRACK: Darlins Delight won the $123,000 Overbid final for pacing mares by 1-3/4 lengths over Chancey Lady in 1:50.2 on March 20 at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Cuz She Can was third. Darlins Delight was driven by Yannick Gingras for trainer Jeff Stafford and owner White Birch Farm. It was the first win in three races this year for Darlins Delight. The 6-year-old has won 28 of 61 career races and earned $2.6 million.

Southwestern Dream won the $132,000 Four Leaf Clover final by a neck over Its That Time in 1:50 on March 21 at the Meadowlands. Rocknroll Band was third. Southwestern Dream was driven by John Campbell for trainer Bruce Saunders and owner Frank Bellino. The 4-year-old pacer has won four of nine races this year and earned $146,800. He has banked $337,012 lifetime.

Chasin Racin won the $104,400 Matts Scooter final by 1-1/4 lengths over River Shark in 1:51.2 on March 21 at the Meadowlands. Hypnotic Blue Chip was third. Chasin Racin was driven by John Campbell for trainer George Teague Jr. and owners Elmer Fannin and George Teague Jr. Inc. The 3-year-old colt is 4-for-4 this season and has earned $76,700.

Honour Devil, one of two South African-trained entries in the Dubai World Cup, was scratched Tuesday with an throat injury that will require surgery.

Race officials say the 4-year-old horse has an entrapped epiglottis. That leaves trainer Mike De Kock with last years runner-up Asiatic Boy in the 14-horse field for Saturdays $6 million race, the worlds richest.

Honour Devil, the winner of the 2008 UAE Derby, was having respiratory problems because of the trapped epiglottis.

Asiatic Boy, who finished last year behind Curlinthe U.S. Horse of the Yearwent through paces on the training track at Nad Al Sheba in preparation for his third Dubai World Cup.

That was a big run last year and Curlin was exceptional, so we had to be happy with second, De Kock said. His preparation has gone well this time and all been based around Saturday night. We have to hope he will go very close.

David Miller reaches win No 9,000; Aaron Merriman enjoys top of driver standings; Share The Delight hopes to take flight (only figuratively); Palone Ranger riding high again; Equine job fair in Goshen; a look back.

UPCOMING EVENTS: The George Morton Levy Series begins at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday. The Classic Series for older trotters and pacers begins April 6 at Dover Downs. The Su Mac Lad Series final is April 10 at the Meadowlands.

LEADERS OF THE PACK: Entering Monday, Aaron Merriman led all drivers in North America in wins, with 188. Dave Palone was second with 165 while Tony Morgan was third with 162. They were followed by Peter Wrenn, with 138, and Matt Kakaley, with 133. Tim Tetrick led the way in earnings with $1.86 million while David Miller was second, with $1.67 million. Brian Sears ($1.61 million), Morgan ($1.51 million) and George Brennan ($1.46 million) rounded out the top five.

MILLER MILESTONE: David Miller on March 22 recorded career driving victory No. 9,000 with a win behind Redstone Ruckus in the sixth race at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The 44-year-old Ohio native ranks 11th in lifetime harness racing wins and fifth in career purse earnings ($121 million) among all North American drivers.

Its something Im very proud of, said Miller, who leads the standings at the Meadowlands this season with 95 victories. Its a great accomplishment. Those wins dont come easy. Ive been very fortunate.

Miller shared leading driver honors at the Big M with Luc Ouellette in 2003. He won the Pacing Triple Crown with No Pan Intended that season and was named Driver of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association.

TOP 10 DRIVERS CAREER WINS: 1. Herve Filion 15,174; 2. Catello Manzi 13,268; 3. David Palone 12,944; 4. Tony Morgan 12,865; 5. Walter Case Jr. 11,038; 6. Dave Magee 11,008; 7. John Campbell 10,087; 8. Mike Lachance 9,993; 9. Billy Parker Jr. 9,533; 10. Jack Moiseyev 9,235.

TOP 10 DRIVERS CAREER PURSES: 1. John Campbell $260 million; 2. Mike Lachance $176 million; 3. Ron Pierce $146 million; 4. Catello Manzi $133 million; 5. David Miller $121 million; 6. Luc Ouellette $116 million; 7. Jack Moiseyev $111 million; 8. Bill ODonnell $97.9 million; 9. Steve Condren $96.8 million; 10. Tony Morgan $96.4 million.

MERRIMAN ENJOYS SPOT AT TOP OF DRIVER STANDINGS

Aaron Merriman finished sixth in wins among all harness racing drivers in North America last season, so he is no stranger to the top 10 list. He just might not be as familiar yet with his current spot No. 1.

Merriman, who drives regularly at both Northfield Park in Ohio and The Meadows in western Pennsylvania, entered Monday with 187 wins and held a 22-victory lead over second-place Dave Palone. Merriman has been the leading driver at Northfield each of the past three seasons. He leads the standings again this year and is eighth at The Meadows.

Its exciting, the 30-year-old Merriman said about his place in the North American standings. I dont know how long it will last, whether it will continue, but its kind of a neat experience. Im just really working a lot, between Northfield and The Meadows. I got my foot in the door last March at The Meadows, so Ive been going there pretty steady. Its a little tiring, but the driving is going really well.

Merriman started in the sport with his father Lanny, who has nearly 1,200 lifetime wins as a driver and more than 500 victories as a trainer. Merriman got his first win in 1998 and had his first million-dollar season in 2004. He won 558 races in 2006, good for ninth place in North America, and set career highs with 612 victories and $3.1 million in earnings in 2008. Entering Monday, he was three wins from 3,500 for his career.

As one of the new kids on the block at The Meadows, it can be more difficult for Merriman to get top assignments, particularly with the likes of Palone, Tony Hall, Mike Wilder and Brett Miller already established in the driving colony.

It doesnt really bother me, I just like driving, Merriman said. Everyone wants to have power, but sometimes its not the case. It just doesnt work out that way. There are a lot of other guys in this business with talent.

Driving at The Meadows, which is a five-eighths-mile oval, may have helped Merriman become a better driver at Northfield, which is a half-mile oval, by exposing him to a different type of racing.

Its not typical for five-eighths-mile racing, Merriman said. Horse just cannot live on the outside at The Meadows like they can other places. Its kind of helped me at Northfield because its got me to be a bit more patient.

Merriman has no plans to change his routine at the moment. In the future, though, he will need to have shoulder surgery as the result of an accident suffered last year and could be sidelined for up to six months.

Im happy with what I have, Merriman said. Ive got a 6-year-old son (Kristopher) that I really base my life around. I want to stay here for now because he goes to kindergarten in Ohio and its a very nice area. As long as I can keep up the doubleheaders and make a living, and Im not gone too much, its good.

He also might keep an eye on the driver standings as the year progresses.

If it gets toward the end of the year and Ive got a chance to be the top dash guy, its something I might shoot for, he said. But Ive got a lot on my plate.

SHARE THE DELIGHT HOPES TO TAKE FLIGHT, BUT ONLY FIGURATIVELY

Share The Delight does sort of have a shiny nose, but no one would ever say it glows. Yet, the 4-year-old pacer is known around trainer Linda Toscanos stable as Rudolph, and with good reason.

His nickname is Rudolph because he jumps high a lot, but hes capable of saving Christmas, Toscano said with a laugh.

Share The Delight showed plenty of talent the past two years, but also a penchant for going off stride. Last season, he made a break in his North America Cup elimination and failed to reach the final. A month later, he won his Meadowlands Pace elimination (providing driver John Campbell with career victory No. 10,000 in the process) and finished third in the $1.1 million final. Such was life with Share The Delight.

So far this year, the son of Bettors Delight-Angels Share has won two of three starts as he prepares for a possible trip to the George Morton Levy Series at Yonkers Raceway. The first of the Levys five preliminary legs is Saturday. The final is May 2.

Actually, hes doing pretty well this year, Toscano said. We learned a lot about him last year and how easily he gets stressed. He seems to really thrive on a routine. Every time we got him to where we were really pleased with him, Id put him on a truck and ship him somewhere and he just didnt seem to do well out of his own environment.

Im hoping his 4-year-old season will bode better because he gets to stay local and not do a lot of traveling. He doesnt mind the short stints, where he gets to come home and sleep in his own bed, so to speak. He always trains down without incident. He would take on the world. He really has a great work ethic and he loves to race. I think sometimes he just tries to go too fast too soon. I think he just jumps the gun and gets too aggressive and thats when he ends up jumping it off.

Despite his troubles, Share The Delight has won 10 of 28 races and earned $366,862 in his career for owners The Four Horsemen Stable and Algonquin Farms. He began this season with a seventh-place finish, but followed it with consecutive victories at the Meadowlands Racetrack. His most recent triumph, on March 21, came in a lifetime best 1:50.1.

We gave him an easy first start; he had some road traffic, but he handled it well, Toscano said. He came back (a week ago), and I know he was down in class, but he went a very credible race considering he had to come first up after being used a little bit at the start. Well keep our fingers crossed. If I take him to the Levy, thats when well see if hes really better than he has been.

He acts really, really, good right now. Thats all I can tell you.

PALONE RANGER RIDING HIGH AGAIN

After overcoming foot problems at the beginning of the year, Palone Ranger seems to be putting his best foot forward as he prepares for the George Morton Levy Series at Yonkers Raceway. The 6-year-old pacer, who has won $1.1 million in his career, is coming off consecutive victories at Yonkers after struggling in four January appearances at the Meadowlands.

The first of the Levys five preliminary legs is Saturday. The final is May 2.

Hes doing very well; we gave him a little time off and then his feet were bothering him, trainer Greg Peck said. He had a quarter crack; its the time of the year that they seem to get them. Some horses are prone to them, but actually this is the first time hes done it. He ended up with two of them, one on the left front foot and one on the right hind. Joe Brandau patched them.

I figured the fact that he could drop a couple notches in class (at Yonkers), it was a good way to go in to the Levy. (I wanted) to go in to the Levy off a win.

Palone Ranger, who is owned by Four Friends Racing Stable, has won 13 of 88 career races and finished second or third on 30 other occasions. Last year, he won a Levy leg and just missed by a nose (against Mr Feelgood) in the Presidential final. He was fourth in the Breeders Crown and William Haughton.

His biggest victory came as a 3-year-old in 2006 when he won the $546,830 Messenger Stakes at Yonkers. The Messenger is one of the Pacing Triple Crown events. Lifetime, Palone Ranger has won five of 12 starts at Yonkers, but should not be characterized as a small-track specialist, according to Peck.

A lot of people think that because of the Messenger, but Id say hes equally effective on any track, Peck said.

Peck has not altered the training schedule for Palone Ranger, who he has trained since late in his 3-year-old season.

He trains about the same as he always has, Peck said. Hes pretty athletic, stays fit, so its not hard to keep him in shape. He keeps himself in shape pretty well.

BLUERIDGE SHARP: Levy hopeful Blueridge Western posted his second consecutive win on March 21 at Yonkers with a 1:52.2 effort, cruising to a 5-3/4 lengths triumph. Blueridge Western has won 13 of 45 career races and earned $797,164. The 4-year-olds top victory last season came in the $215,000 Berrys Creek final at the Meadowlands. He was second in the Max Hempt, American-National and Matron Stakes, and was third in the Breeders Crown.

JOB FAIR TO BE HELD IN GOSHEN

Seeking employment in the horse world? The U.S. Trotting Association and Harness Racing Museum will hold an equine job fair from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29. The event, which will have representatives from about 20 potential employers, will be held at the museum. The museum is located at 240 Main Street in Goshen, New York.

Job seekers are asked to bring at least 25 copies of their resume and to be prepared to meet potential employers. Those who do not have a prepared resume will be offered assistance in completing a standard application and provided with copies.

Standardbred farms and other industry employers from New York and neighboring states will be represented at the job fair, including top breeders Hanover Shoe Farms and Blue Chip Farm. Job opportunities might be current, future, seasonal, part time, or permanent. A full list of potential employers will be announced when finalized.

The USTA recognizes this is a very labor-intensive industry; horses need skilled care every day of the year, USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner said. Were pleased to join forces with the museum to put together those who need help at their farms and stables with those who want to work in the horse industry.

The Harness Racing Museum encourages interest in the sport and supports its local constituents, said Ebby Gerry, museum president. Our relationship with the community has always been close; this positive plan to match those looking for employment with Standardbred farms that are, in many cases, desperately in need of workers, will be rewarding for all concerned.

For more information, contact Katie Vermilyea, Education Coordinator, at hrmlibrary2@gmail.com or call 845-294-6330.

SHOW TIME: Down the Stretch, the popular weekly show covering North American horse racing on Sirius Satellite Radio, has added a segment focusing on WEG Standardbred racing. This is in addition to the existing 30-minute segment on harness racing sponsored by the U.S. Trotting Association and Harness Tracks of America.

Hosts Bill Finley and Dave Johnson cover the world of racing every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon (EST).The show, which also includes reporter Caton Bredar, also features the latest insider news, stakes previews and handicapping segments. For more information, visit http://www.sirius.com/horseracing.

BACKTRACK: Darlins Delight won the $123,000 Overbid final for pacing mares by 1-3/4 lengths over Chancey Lady in 1:50.2 on March 20 at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Cuz She Can was third. Darlins Delight was driven by Yannick Gingras for trainer Jeff Stafford and owner White Birch Farm. It was the first win in three races this year for Darlins Delight. The 6-year-old has won 28 of 61 career races and earned $2.6 million.

Southwestern Dream won the $132,000 Four Leaf Clover final by a neck over Its That Time in 1:50 on March 21 at the Meadowlands. Rocknroll Band was third. Southwestern Dream was driven by John Campbell for trainer Bruce Saunders and owner Frank Bellino. The 4-year-old pacer has won four of nine races this year and earned $146,800. He has banked $337,012 lifetime.

Chasin Racin won the $104,400 Matts Scooter final by 1-1/4 lengths over River Shark in 1:51.2 on March 21 at the Meadowlands. Hypnotic Blue Chip was third. Chasin Racin was driven by John Campbell for trainer George Teague Jr. and owners Elmer Fannin and George Teague Jr. Inc. The 3-year-old colt is 4-for-4 this season and has earned $76,700.

Hollywood Park will conduct its scheduled meeting this fall, but the storied racetracks future could be in doubt beyond this year.

Track president Jack Liebau told the California Horse Racing Board that he was not in a position to commit to racing past 2009.

Yes, Hollywood Park will be conducting its fall meet, he said without elaboration during the boards recent meeting at Golden Gate Fields in Northern California.

The tracks spring-summer meeting will run April 22 to July 19. Its fall meeting is set for Nov. 11-Dec. 21.

The Southern California tracks owner recently unveiled plans to Inglewood city officials for a mixed-use development on the 238-acre property that would include a retail district, office space and nearly 3,000 residential units.

That prompted the board to ask Liebau if he could provide any assurances about the tracks future. CHRB chairman John Harris expressed his hope that Hollywood Park would continue its racing operations.

Meanwhile, a representative of Magna Entertainment Corp. updated the board on the companys Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, including motions on the possible sale of MEC-owned properties as Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields.

Gregg Scoggins, MECs national director of regulatory affairs, said a bankruptcy judge has already approved $13.4 million in debtor-in-possession financing, and the judge will consider motions to approve another $49 million on March 27.

He said MEC has proposed bidding and auctioning timetables that could lead to the sales of the racetrack properties in early August.

Harris said that although all pari-mutuel tickets have been and will be paid, the bankruptcy filing has delayed the distribution of millions of dollars from pari-mutuel wagering owed to other beneficiaries, including $1.2 million in license fees to the state.

Daughters of Medaglia dOro keep turning in big performances this meet at Oaklawn Park. First it was Rachel Alexandra, who won last months $50,000 Martha Washington in stakes record time. Sunday, the stallions big winner was Shes Our Annie, who equaled the stakes record in the $50,000 Prima Donna, when she won the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies in 1:09.03.

It was the third consecutive win for Shes Our Annie, who won her maiden in her second career start here Feb. 6, then came back and won a first-level allowance by six lengths on Feb. 26. She broke on top in the Prima Donna, and was quickly up by 1 1/2 lengths through an opening quarter in 22.49 seconds. Shes Our Annie remained clear through a half-mile in 45.43, then cruised home to equal the 1987 mark set in the race by Only a Glance.

She still had something left if someone was going to contest her, said Jon Court, who rode Shes Our Annie for trainer Jinks Fires.

Shes Our Annie won by 2 1/2 lengths over On the Menu. It was another 6 1/2 lengths back in third to Auspicious. The field was reduced to four starters with the scratch of Simplify, and there was no show wagering. Shes Our Annie was second choice to 4-5 favorite Auspicious, and she paid $6.20.

Shes Our Annie races for her breeder, Destiny Oaks of Ocala.

The student beat the teacher when trainer Tom Albertranis Criticism defeated Bill Motts Dress Rehearsal last month in the Grade 3 The Very One Stakes. On Sunday, the same pair will go at it again in a field of eight long-winded filly and mare turf specialists in Gulfstream Parks $150,000 Orchid, a 1 1/2-mile turf race.
Albertrani, who worked as an exercise rider and assistant to Mott for nine years before embarking on a successful training career of his own, is in the midst of an incredible hot streak. Albertrani has won eight stakes since the first of the year, with five of those victories coming at Gulfstream, including The Very One.

Criticism began her career in France but has really flourished since being transferred to Albertranis barn last season. After finishing second in her U.S. debut in the Grade 3 Athenia, Criticism stretched to 1 1/2 miles to win the Grade 3 Long Island in her 2008 finale before returning to win the 1o3/8-mile The Very One by 2 1/2 lengths after being allowed to set a pedestrian pace.

That might have been the first time shes ever been on the lead, but there was no pace and she just pulled herself there, Albertrani said. Shes a filly who will put herself anywhere shes comfortable, and I think if she just runs the same type of race shes run for us so far, she should be tough again.

Albertranis only real concern in the Orchid is Criticisms propensity to get a little nervous before and even after her races.

She gets a little stressed out sometimes, Albertrani said. She was a lot better here the first time than at Aqueduct, so hopefully it wont affect her Sunday.

Albertrani also said he doesnt make too much of his head-to-head encounters with Mott, his former boss.

Bill and I have had our turns back and forth over the years, Albertrani said. But it sure looks like his filly is definitely the one to beat again Sunday.

Dress Rehearsal encountered early trouble in The Very One before rallying from midpack to finish second, nearly two lengths in front of Grade 1 winner Backseat Rhythm. The effort was the best yet for Dress Rehearsal, a steadily improving Irish-bred who owns victories at distances ranging from 1 1/8 miles to 1 7/16 miles.

Lamentation, fifth in The Very One, will seek to give trainer Christophe Clement his seventh win in the Orchid.

A change in tactics proved beneficial on Sunday for Belmont Cat, who responded to a waiting ride from Joel Rosario to get up in time and capture the Grade 2, $150,000 Santa Ana Handicap for female turf horses at Santa Anita.

Belmont Cat ($20.40) prevailed in a thrilling four-horse finish. She beat an unlucky Bel Air Sizzle by a head, with odds-on favorite Visit another neck back in third, a head in front of Satans Circus. In My Glory, Sharp Susan, and Exquisite completed the order of finish.

Belmont Cat completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.68 over a course rated good following morning showers.

The victory was the second in three starts for Belmont Cat since she was imported from her native New Zealand by bloodstock agent Denny Boltinghouse, who bought the mare for owner Richard Templers Doubledown Stables. Belmont Cat won her United States debut on Dec. 3 at Hollywood Park, but finished fifth of eight in the San Gorgonio Handicap here on Jan. 4.

She trained really, really well for her first race, said John Sadler, who trains Belmont Cat. I was a little disappointed last time, but there wasnt much pace and she was up close. I think she wants to sit back and kick, so we really tried to emphasize that today.

Belmont Cat was third during the early going as In My Glory led through fractions of 23.77 seconds, 48.20, and 1:12.62 for six furlongs. She surged to the lead in midstretch, turned back a bid from Visit, and then was fully extended to hold safe Bel Air Sizzle, who compromised her chances by veering sharply to the left leaving the gate to fall far back early.

Sugar Mint defeated General Consensus by 2 lengths to win Thursdays $57,200 White Dove Purse for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Sugar Mint ran one mile on the turf in 1:34.46 and paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 7-10 wagering favorite.

General Consensus returned $3.40 and $3, while Divine Legacy was another length back in third and paid $5.20 to show.

Sugar Mint, the daughter of English Derby winner High Chaparral, won her U.S. debut on Jan. 8 over Santa Anitas turf course, then lost her next two races before Thursdays win.

The victory, worth $33,600, increased Sugar Mints career earnings to $114,996, with three wins in 12 starts.

Believeinmenow prevailed in a stretch battle with Broadway Producer on Thursday, eventually pulling away to a 3-length win in the $55,860 allowance feature at Aqueduct.

Ridden by Sebastian Morales for trainer H. James Bond, Believeinmenow scored a fourth straight win, improving his overall record to 6-for-17. The 5-year-old ran the one mile, 70 yards in 1:43.47 on the track rated good.

Believeinmenow paid $4.80, $2.60 and $2.10 as the 7-5 second choice. Broadway Producer, the even-money favorite, paid $2.50 and $2.10. Temecula Creek paid $3 to show.

Stronach Stables 4-year-old Canadian homebred Sligovitz finished a game fifth in the Gulfstream Park Turf (G1) on Feb 1 as a 25-1 longshot, beaten only 1 lengths by Kip Deville, and faces another big challenge Saturday in the $150,000 Pan American Stakes (G3) with Presious Passion and Spice Route the likely favorites in the 1 miles turf test.

He ran very well in that race (Gulfstream Turf), said trainer Brian Lynch from Palm Meadows Thursday morning. He was inexperienced when he tried a mile-and-a-half last year and veered out, referring to the colts runner-up finish behind Marlang in the Breeders Stakes at Woodbine in early August.

As for the possibility of yielding or soft ground Saturday, Lynch said, Hes not a big horse and doesnt get down into the ground when he runs, so I dont see that as a problem. He came along late last year as he developed, taking baby steps. He beat older horses a couple of times as he ran through his (allowance) conditions.

A son of Sligo Bay, Sligovitz remained a maiden after five starts when he left Florida last spring for Canada before breaking his maiden at Woodbine in June. The good try in the Breeders Stakes marked his stakes debut and he goes into the Pan American with a record of 12-4-2-3 and earnings of nearly $300,000 and a promising future.

Lynch is also looking forward to the next start for an established star in the stable when Stronach Stables 4-year-old Canadian homebred filly Ginger Brew runs in the $150,000 Rampart Stakes (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on Sun., Mar. 29.

She had a pretty rough trip last out in the Tampa Bay race, said Lynch, who had a big meet at Gulfstream last winter with graded-stakes victories by Stronach star fillies Sugar Swirl and Spring Waltz, the latter winning the Rampart by 3 lengths.

Ginger Brew finished fifth as the favorite last out in the Endeavor Stakes (G3) on turf at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 14, beaten only a length for it all with traffic trouble in the stretch. The chestnut daughter of Milwaukee Brew emerged as a star in Canada last year after winning the Calder Oaks in late April before shipping north.

After the Calder race, Ginger Brew won the Woodbine Oaks in early June on Polytrack by six lengths and just missed by a head finishing second going 1 miles against male rivals in the Queens Plate two weeks later, Canadas most famous race. Her career record stands at 10-5-3-1 for earnings of $780,000.

Graded-Stakes Winners Clash in Saturday Allowance

Jon and Sarah Kellys Sporting Art and Alien Farms Nistles Crunch are 4-year-olds that won Graded stakes last year and use a turf allowance Saturday at Gulfstream Park to advance toward bigger objectives this season.

Jockey Alan Garcia rides Sporting Art in the 1 1/16 miles turf test Saturday for trainer Christophe Clement. The son of Doneraile Court won the Palm Beach Stakes (G3) over the Gulfstream course in late March and the Calder Derby (G3) in April, but disappointed in two more graded-stakes efforts at Arlington Park and Colonial Downs before going to the sidelines for the summer and fall.

Sporting Art will need to improve from his 2009 debut when finishing a non-threatening ninth in the Canadian Turf Stakes (G3) here on Feb. 28, although he was beaten only 5 lengths in his first start since June 21.

Jockey Manoel Cruz rides Nistles Crunch for trainer Ken McPeek as he makes his first start since winning the Commonwealth Stakes (G3) on turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 9. The son of Van Nistelrooy won a nine-furlong main track allowance here last year and finished seventh behind Big Brown in the Florida Derby (G1). He went on to place in Graded stakes at Churchill Downs, Colonial Downs and Saratoga.

Completing the stakes-quality field of nine drawn for the allowance Saturday are Robert Gerczaks Baltimore Bob, Dogwood Stables Prince Rahy, Issac Muhtars Fearless Eagle, Frank Calabreses Its Never Too Late, Michael Martins Pennington, Martin Cherrys Pickpapocket and Ken and Sarah Ramseys Furthest Land.

Leparoux McPeek Hold Narrow Leads in Gulfstream Standings

Jockey Julien Leperoux and trainer Ken McPeek remain on top the Gulfstream Park standings as the meet heads into Florida Derby (G1) week, but both have rivals in close pursuit with highly competitive races for titles at stake in both categories.

Leparoux is based at Gulfstream for the first time this season as he came in on the momentum of a record-breaking performance leading the fall meet standings at Churchill Downs. Leparoux has ridden 40 winners, two more than John R. Velazquez, Kent Desormeaux and Jose Lezcano in a three-way tie for second.

The top four are followed in the jockey standings by Alan Garcia fifth with 37, Cornelio Velasquez and Eibar Coa tied for sixth with 32 each and Edgar Prado and Elvis Trujillo tied for eighth at 31.

Ken McPeek has led the trainer standings since the early days of the meet, but his lead is down to just one (22-21) over Todd Pletcher, who is bidding for a sixth consecutive Gulfstream championship. Nick Zito ranks third after sending out 18 winners, followed by Wesley Ward and Peter Walder tied for fourth at 13.