Gozzip Girl determinedly held off Warm Shower on Saturday, winning the $150,000 Sands Point Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf by 1 1/2 lengths at Belmont Park.

Caught three wide in the early stages, Gozzip Girl forged her way to the front down the backstretch. There was never any breathing room, as Bluegrass Princess immediately ranged up to contest the pace.

Gozzip Girl, with Kent Desormeaux aboard for trainer Tom Albertrani, finally shook loose in the deep stretch only to face one final challenge from Warm Shower.

The win was the fourth in seven starts as Gozzip Girl earned $90,000 for Farnsworth Stables. The time was 1:51.24 for the 1 1-8 miles on the yielding course.

Gozzip Girl paid $5, $3.40 and $2.70. Warm Shower returned $12 and $6.90. Bluegrass Princess paid $4.40 to show.

Magical Affair was fourth, followed by Fast Tigress, Hopeful Image and Sapphire Sky.

Magical Fantasy rallied from fifth with a furlong to go and won the $319,000 Gamely Stakes by a neck at Hollywood Park on Saturday.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Magical Fantasy covered 1 1-8 miles on turf in 1:48.18 and paid $14.20, $7 and $4.40 at 6-1 odds.

Shes such a professional, you can do anything you want with her, he said. Shes really game and shes getting better and better. I was surprised to see her pay $14. At the top of the stretch I thought I had a good chance to win the race and I just wanted to make sure that I moved steadily and not make one strong move.

Visit returned $9.20 and $5.60, while Diamond Diva was another nose back in third and paid $3.20 to show. Black Mamba, second choice in the wagering, was fourth in the field of nine fillies and mares.

It looked like there was a bunch of horses with a chance that last sixteenth of a mile, winning trainer Paddy Gallagher said. It looked like the pace scratched out of the race, but theres nothing you can do. Alex put her in a great spot all the way.

The victory, worth $196,800, increased Magical Fantasys career earnings to $649,231, with four wins in 15 starts.

Martin Garcia rode three winners on the 10-race card, while Victor Espinoza and Solis each rode two. Gallagher and Ed Moger Jr. saddled two winners each.

Dial Or Nodial wore down pacesetter Drop Red in the final strides and posted a half-length victory in the $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship for 3-year-old colt pacers Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Driven by Brian Sears, Dial Or Nodial paced the mile in a career-best 1:50.1. The Jim Campbell-trained gelding returned $4, $2.80, $2.40 as the favorite.

Long shot Vintage Master closed for second and paid $11.40 and $4.80. Drop Red ($3.40) held on for third.

One of the nations top freshman colts, Dial Or Nodial won 8 of 12 starts and $414,124 last year. Bred and owned by Arlene and Jules Siegel of New Hope, Pa., Dial Or Nodial will make his next start in the June 6 eliminations for the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic.

Well just play it by ear, Campbell said, but the Meadowlands Pace ($1 million on July 18) is the one that he is being aimed for and one that I would really like to win. So far everythings going right on schedule with him.

The co-featured $200,000 championship for New Jersey-sired fillies was won by long shot Scarlet McZara and driver Andy Miller.

Miller angled Scarlet McZara out at the head of the lane and she came down the center of the track to a career-best 1:51.3 victory. The winner paid $40.60, $13.80 and $9.

Jersey Dream ($6.20, $5) shook loose from the pylons to finish a length behind in second, while Amora Hanover ($8.40) rallied from eighth to grab the show spot.

Trained by Bart Dalious, Scarlet McZara has won 6 of 19 career starts. She will face her next major stakes test in the June 5 eliminations for the $200,000 Thomas DAltrui Miss New Jersey at the Meadowlands.

Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Belmont Stakes, opening the way for jockey Calvin Borel to return to Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in his quest for a personal Triple Crown.

Jess Jackson, Rachel Alexandras co-owner, said Friday the spectacular filly deserves a well-earned vacation.

Rachel Alexandra, the first filly to win the Preakness in 85 years, had been set to work out Monday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, and no announcement was expected until after that. But Jackson explained she simply needed a rest after runningand winningfour graded stakes races since March 14, including a dominating victory in the Kentucky Oaks.

We know the media and many fans would have liked to see her run in the Belmont Stakeswe feel the same, Jackson said in a statement. But all of us sincerely interested in the horse must agree that we only want to see her run when it is best for her. While she is in great shape, having strong works, and recovering well from her amazing performances, we feel Rachel deserves a well-earned vacation.

Borel was the jockey aboard for both Mine That Bird in the Derby and Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness and Oaks. He was set to ride her again in the Belmont, but Mine That Birds trainer Chip Woolley had said he was prepared to waiteven into next weekif there was a chance Borel could become available again.

We hate shes not going to be in there for horse racing, but at the same time its maybe better for me, Woolley said Friday in a phone interview. It was a very strange year where you had two great horses and the same guy riding both of them.

Borel, who was riding in nine races on Fridays card at Churchill Downs, was already planning to be aboard Mine That Bird on Monday at the Louisville track for the colts final workout before shipping to New York for the Belmont.

Were gonna get the job done, Borel said during a news conference at Churchill Downs.

He said Mine That Bird worked really good the other morning. I was very happy with his work. I worked him real easy and he was bouncin. He was a happy camper. Thats all you want.

The jockey said he thinks Jackson made the right call with Rachel Alexandra.

I think Mr. Jackson is all about the horse, not the races, he said. Its not the money. Its his horse.

There was no immediate indication from Jackson on when or where Rachel Alexandra might race next, but he has said he would consider running her in the Mother Goose Stakes for fillies on June 27 at Belmont Park.

The filly had become a popular favorite since her stretch of big wins, even posing Friday morning for a photo spread in Vogue magazine.

Borel, who had won the Derby two years earlier aboard Street Sense, repeated the feat with Mine That Bird, even though at 50-1 he was one of the biggest long shots ever to win the most famous American horse race.

The horse nearly pulled off another win in the Preakness with new jockey Mike Smith aboard, finishing second to Borel and Rachel Alexandra.

Among the possible challengers to Mine That Bird in the third leg of the Triple Crown is Summer Bird, who shares the same sireBirdstone, who foiled Smarty Jones Triple Crown attempt by winning the 2004 Belmont. Also expected to run are Chocolate Candy, Dunkirk, Flying Private, Brave Victory, Charitable Man, Luv Gov, Miners Escape, Mr. Hot Stuff and Nowhere To Hide.

OCEANPORT, N J Bunker Hill, who had a bad experience last out in Kentucky, is back where he fits best in Saturdays $70,000 Spend a Buck Stakes for 3-year-olds Musket Man. Third in two-thirds of the Triple Crown, is back in training as he prepares for the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 2 Love That Dance returns to state-bred company in Sundays $60,000 Open Mind Handicap.

BUNKER HILL FITS WELL IN SPEND A BUCK STAKES SATURDAY

When last seen in action, Flying Dutchman Stables Bunker Hill acted up in the paddock, threw a fit in the gate, and then trailed the field in the Grade 3 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs, obviously not enjoying anything about the experience.

Trainer Derek Ryan thinks all that will work in his favor when the colt goes in Saturdays $70,000 Spend a Buck Stakes for 3-year-olds.

It was Kentucky Oaks Day, and he just didnt handle the crowd and noise, said Ryan. He went nuts in the paddock and nuts in the gate, and then he didnt like the soft turf at all.

Throw that one out, and he looks good here. Hes two-for-two at Monmouth, and hes got the turf-to-dirt angle working for him.

Bunker Hill is the other 3-year-old in Ryans Monmouth barn this year. The bay son of Trippi served as a workmate for Musket Man here last year, but unlike that Triple Crown performer, started his career at the Monmouth meet. While Musket Man did not make his debut until October at Belmont, Bunker Hill began his career here on Aug. 7. He broke his maiden by two and a half lengths at five furlongs, and came right back to take the Continental Mile by a nose.

Ryan sent him to Delaware, where the colt won an off-the-turf stakes, and then was beaten a nose by Aspiring Nick (one of his Spend a Buck rivals) in the Dover Stakes.

This year, Bunker Hill has run just twice. He was second, beaten a neck, in the Blue N Gold Stakes at Charles Town in April, and then came the debacle at the Downs on May 1.

I ran him because he was there and ready to go, Ryan said. But everything was wrong. He might run okay on the grass someday, but it will have to be a rock-hard track. He didnt like the soft going at all.

Ryan feels that with all the speed in the Spend a Buck, his colt can maintain a good striking position throughout the mile and a sixteenth.

He can sit off the pace anywhere the jockey wants, Ryan said. Theres plenty of speed in there, and he can make a late move.

One of the favorites in the Spend a Buck, Lael Stables Pitched Perfectly, finished fifth behind Musket Man in their racing debut on Oct. 25.

MUSKET MAN BACK AT MONMOUTH, WILL TRAIN UP TO HASKELL

Eric Fein and Vic Carlsons Musket Man, third in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, is back at Monmouth Park after a brief break, and will start jogging on Sunday as he prepares for the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) on Aug. 2.

Trainer Derek Ryan said the Yonaguska colt, who won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Illinois Derby (G2) coming into the Kentucky Derby, will jog for three or four days and start galloping on Wednesday.

Ryan said he does not plan to run his charge before the Haskell. Instead, he plans to work the colt in the afternoon between races as part of Musket Mans preparation for the big event. After running third behind Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird in the Preakness on May 16, Musket Man returned to Monmouth and then was sent to a nearby farm for a two-week vacation. Ryan said the colt returned to his barn on Wednesday.

LOVE THAT DANCE BEARS WATCHING BACK IN STATE-BRED RANKS

John Petrinis Love That Dance, a 3-year-old daughter of Not For Love, should appreciate the return to state-bred company in Sundays $60,000 Open Mind Handicap, trainer Ben Perkins Jr. says.

Shes been in some very tough races, Perkins said of the fillys three starts this year. Although shell be meeting older horses for the first time, being back with New Jersey-breds should help.

Love That Dance has a perfect three-for-three record against state-breds, although only two were officially victories. She finished first in her career debut here last June, only to be disqualified and placed second. Next time out on July 12, she left no doubt as to who was best as she broke her maiden by more than eight lengths. After running second in a Laurel race, Love That Dance was two-for-two at the Meadowlands, running away from open company in an allowance race, and then taking the New Jersey Juvenile Stakes in a romp.

This year, she started off her 3-year-old campaign in the Grade 3 Cicada Stakes on the inner track at Aqueduct, running sixth, and then was fourth in the Lucky Lavender Stakes on the Big A main track. Last out, she ran fourth here in the open Just Smashing Stakes won in fast time by On the Menu.

Aqueduct in the winter is a very tough place, Perkins said. The stakes especially come up tough. And there were some really nice fillies in that race here last time.

I expect her to run well, because of the return to state-bred company, and also because shes been running this year, and some of the others in there will be coming off long layoffs.

Joe Bravo, who has been aboard in all her career wins, has the call again on Sunday.

ELMONT, N Y Continued wet weather in the New York metropolitan area has left the final serious works of several contenders for the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6 up in the air.

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smiths Dunkirk and Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warrens Charitable Man, who were both scheduled to breeze Saturday morning, may instead have their final moves at Belmont Park on Sunday.

Right now, Dunkirk is likely to breeze on Sunday after the break, said trainer Todd Pletcher of the gray son of Unbridleds Song, 11th in the Kentucky Derby. That may change depending on the condition of the track, but Sunday will be fine. John Velazquez will be aboard.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Charitable Man, winner of the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes, might wait until Sunday or even Monday to breeze.

We always leave a window of a day or so, said McLaughlin, adding: In 2006, it rained for two weeks leading up to the Belmont Stakes and the day Jazil was supposed to breeze, the track was sloppy, and I walked out on the track and said, You know what? Hes fit. He doesnt need to work. So he doesnt work the week leading up to the race, and he wins.

As well, Robert V. LaPentas duo of Miners Escape, winner of the Frederico Tesio, and Brave Victory, third in the Peter Pan, will work for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the weather.

Summer Bird, sixth in the Derby, will have his final work on Saturday as scheduled, said trainer Tim Ice.

As long as the track is safe, hell go after the break, said Ice. Kent Desormeaux will be aboard.

Chocolate Candy, Flying Private, Luv Gov, Mine That Bird, Mr. Hot Stuff, and possibly Rachel Alexandra are also being pointed toward the 11/2-mile Test of the Champion. Nowhere to Hide, also trained by Zito, is questionable.

Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Quality Road, who came off the Triple Crown trail with a right front quarter crack sustained before the Kentucky Derby, has resumed training, said trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

The bay son of Elusive Quality, owned and bred by Edward P. Evans, galloped Thursday and Friday morning after having the quarter crack patched on Tuesday.

He seemed glad to get out, said Jerkens of Quality Road, who had been confined to walking the shedrow for several weeks. He went to the track yesterday and today he galloped in my fathers (Hall of Famer Allen Jerkens) barn.

As for his next start, I have no thoughts, he said. I couldnt begin to tell you.

Jerkens will be saddling a pair of horses on Belmont Stakes Day, sending last years Grade 2 Matron winner Doremifasollatido in the Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn Stakes at a mile and Centennial Farms Desert Key in the Grade 2, $250,000 True North Handicap at six furlongs.

Doremifasollatido, owned by Susan Moore and M and M Thoroughbred Partners, finished second in her 2009 debut in her first start since undergoing surgery to repair an ankle chip sustained during her 10th place finish in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Shes grown a bit from two to three, said Jerkens of Doremifasollatido, voted New York-bred champion 2-year-old filly of 2008. When I saw her in Ocala right after she had surgery, she was pretty thin, but she did very well down there.

Be Fair, Devotee, Dream Play, Funny Moon, Just Jenda and Justwhistledixie are likely to contest the Acorn as well.

First or second in seven of his eight lifetime starts, Desert Key was runner-up in his 4-year-old bow, finishing second by a neck in an optional claimer at Belmont Park on May 6.

Hes had a race under his belt, said Jerkens. He should be tough.

Discos Son, Fabulous Strike, Kodiak Kowboy, Per Incanto, Silver Edition and Sixthirteen are also being pointed toward the True North.

Premium Gold, who snapped a five-race losing streak with a big effort in his first start on turf, will be making a bigger step up in class when he starts in the Grade 1, $600,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap at a mile and a half on Belmont Stakes Day.

Owned and trained by John Kimmel, the strapping chestnut son of Mineshaft worked five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.47 on Thursday in preparation for the Manhattan.

Hell go as long as the turf is firm, said Kimmel of the 4-year-old ridgling. I looked around for a place to run him long on turf. He won comfortably his first time on turf, and had a bullet work under (jockey) Edgar Prado, and I hope Edgar sticks with him.

Premium Gold won two of his 11 starts at age three last year, and this year owns a third-place finish in an off-the-turf event at Keeneland in addition to his victory in an optional claimer at Belmont Park on May 14.

Hes kind of a temperamental sort, said Kimmel. You cant push, him, you have to let him do what he wants to do. Hes well-bred, big and strong and Ive been waiting for him to show the quality hes shown in the mornings.

Better Talk Now, Court Vision, Cowboy Cal, Gio Ponti, Grand Couturier (GB), Interpatation, and Lauro (GER) are likely for the Manhattan.

Jockey Calvin Borel will be back on Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes if Rachel Alexandra isnt entered.

Chip Woolley, who trains the Derby winner, made that clear Thursday. He said hell wait until Rachel Alexandras co-owner Jess Jackson decides whether to run his Preakness-winning filly in the Belmont.

That decision could come any time, but Jackson indicated earlier this week it would be after Rachel Alexandra works out Monday at Churchill Downs.

The Belmont draw for post positions is Wednesday and the 1 1/2 -mile race is June 6.

Borel won the Derby aboard Mine That Bird, then rode Rachel Alexandra to victory over Mine That Bird in the Preakness. Borel has said he would ride Rachel Alexandra if she runs in the Belmont.

If we have to, well wait right up to or close to entry time, Woolley said during a conference call. Im going to give Calvin as much time as possible to ride `Mine and also to keep him from losing two mounts.

If Woolley picks another rider only to find out Rachel Alexandra wasnt running in the Belmont, Borel might not have a chance to become the first jockey to win a Triple Crown on different horses.

It just wouldnt be fair to him if they dont make a decision until the last minute and decide not to go, Woolley said. He won me the Kentucky Derby and I owe him the opportunity if its possible. I dont want to see him sitting on the sidelines when I get to Belmont.

Asked if hed like to see Rachel Alexandra in the field to give Mine That Bird a chance to avenge his one-length loss in the Preakness, Woolley said: Id like to have Calvin, so I guess if she doesnt go it betters my opportunity to get Calvin.

I believe it would be good for racing if she runs. It sure brought out a lot of people to watch her last time, and now that shes beaten my horse and I was closing to her it would build it up more. But well just have to see what happens.

Karakorum Fugitive beat Olde Glamour by 3 1/2 lengths Thursday in the $46,000 allowance feature for New York-bred fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

Racing right behind the leaders down the backstretch, Karakorum Fugitive rallied three wide on the turn before taking charge in midstretch. Jose Lezcano was aboard for trainer Jimmy Jerkens as the 3-year-old ran the mile in 1:38.65, improving to 3 for 6.

The even-money favorite, Karakorum Fugitive paid $4.30, $2.60 and $2.30. Olde Glamour returned $4 and $3.20. Madam Commander paid $5 to show.

OCEANPORT, N J Aspiring Nick makes his 2009 debut in Saturdays $70,000 Spend a Buck Stakes for 3-year-olds, with the Haskell Invitational on Aug 2 his main goal Just Playin Around will try to keep the $60,000 Wolf Hill Stakes in the family on Saturday.

NICK IS ASPIRING TO BERTH IN HASKELL INVITATIONAL

Trainer Tim J. Kelly has big plans for Daniel J. Ljokas Aspiring Nick, starting with Saturdays $70,000 Spend a Buck Stakes for 3-year-olds, and if they pan out, fans can expect to see the colt reach the big time in August.

The goal is the Haskell, Kelly said, referring to the centerpiece of Monmouths meeting, the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) on August 2.

He has to do well in this race, and then the Long Branch (July 11) to get invited. The Spend a Buck, at a mile and 70 yards, will be a good test for Aspiring Nick, a chestnut colt by Graeme Hall Aspiring Sue, by Proof. It will be his first start of the year after a juvenile season in which he won two of five starts, with a second and a third. And it will also be his fourth meeting with Bunker Hill, trained by Derek Ryan.

Theyve battled it out three times, and I mean battled, Kelly said. The last two races, there were inquiries. Its some rivalry.

Both horses broke their maiden at Monmouth, and then Bunker Hill was a nose the best in the Continental Mile here. In September, Bunker Hill was a head in front of Aspiring Nick in an off-the-turf stakes at Delaware, complete with foul claims and inquiries. Then in the Dover Stakes on Oct. 11, Aspiring Nick outfought Bunker Hill and survived an inquiry to win by a nose.

The only poor race Nick has run in his career was his first a four and a half-furlong maiden event last May when he finished sixth of seven.

Hes so big, I knew sprinting wasnt really his game, Kelly said.

He got off slow, and it was all over. He never had a chance to show anything. I waited for the two-turn maiden races, and he broke his maiden going a mile. He can run all day.

Aspiring Nick has been working steadily toward his 3-year-old debut, most recently with a five-furlong drill in :59.60 on May 24, second best of 34 at the distance, with new rider Chuck C. Lopez aboard.

Chuck loves him, Kelly said. Hes been breezing Nick all along, and hes really high on him.

Now its up to the horse, Kelly said. If we want to make the Haskell, hes got to step up in here. And if hes the horse we think he is, hell do well in this spot.

JUST PLAYIN AROUND GETS SERIOUS IN WOLF HILL SATURDAY

Family honor will be at stake when Laurence Foggles homebred Just Playin Around goes in Saturdays $60,000 Wolf Hill Stakes at five and a half furlongs on the turf. The 4-year-old son of Drewman will be trying to emulate his big half-brother Our Friend Harvey, who won the race last year. Hell have to step up his game for this, trainer Tim Hills said, but hes one-for-one at the distance, and it looks like hes got the family talent. Just Playin Around is out of the Out of Place mare Very Laughable, who is out of the stakes-winning Carefree Laughter. Winning on turf goes way back in this family, and Hills knows the history well, since he trained the granddam, her progeny, and now the grandkids. Our Friend Harvey won the Wolf Hill last year as a 4-year-old, and this year took the Lure Stakes at Belmont on May 17, stretching out to seven furlongs. Just Playin Around broke his maiden on the Monmouth grass last year, using his speed to wire the field at one mile. This season, the gelding proved fastest in a five-furlong allowance race at Gulfstream, winning in :55 3/5. Last out on April 22, he led for the first five furlongs of a one-mile event before tiring. Hes a fast horse, Hills said. And sprinting is his game. He always wants to go. His workouts are good (most recently a half in :48.80 here), but if we let him go, hed really work fast. This will be Just Playin Arounds stakes debut, and hell have to take on some seasoned performers in Smart Enough, Chitoz and Go Go Shoot. But hes got family on his side.

New Zealand-bred Black Mamba, beaten a nose by Magical Fantasy last month in the Santa Barbara Handicap, will try to turn the tables in a tough field of 11 fillies and mares in Saturdays $250,000 Gamely Stakes at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif.

The Grade I Gamely will be run on the grass at nine furlongs one furlong shorter than the Santa Barbara distance.

Black Mamba, who won the Beverly Hills Handicap and the John C. Mabee Handicap in back-to-back starts last summer, will be making her second start of 2009 in the Gamely. She enters with four wins in 24 starts for earnings of $702,171.

Magical Fantasy, the 2008 Del Mar Oaks winner, has won three of 13 races and $452,431.

Competition runs much deeper, however, in a field which includes 2008 CashCall Mile winner and Gamely runner-up Diamond Diva; 2008 Santa Barbara winner Foxysox; Bel Air Sizzle and Visit, second and third, respectively, in the Santa Ana Handicap in their last start at 1 1/8 miles, and Toque de Queda, beaten less than a length by Magical Fantasy while finishing third in the Santa Barbara.

The field lines up as follows from the rail out: Tuscan Evening, with Rafael Bejarano up, carries 117 pounds; Bel Air Sizzle, Joe Talamo, 119; Toque de Queda, Victor Espinoza, 117; Diamond Diva, David Flores, 123; Modification, Corey Nakatani, 117; Visit, Brice Blanc, 117; Magical Fantasy, Alex Solis, 123; Ainamaa, Aaron Gryder, 117; Foxysox, Tyler Baze, 119; Black Mamba, Joel Rosario, 123, and Lemon Chiffon, Mike Smith, 117.

Great Britain-bred Diamond Diva is on the same path which led to her victory in the 2008 CashCall Mile. Off ten months following that victory, she returned to the races May 2 with a second behind Gorgeous Goose in the one-mile Wilshire Handicap. She enters the Gamely with six wins in 17 starts for earnings of $741,683.

Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel will be represented by Toque de Queda and Visit. The latter finished fourth while making her U.S. debut in the 2008 Breeders Cup Filly Mare Turf and was subsequently awarded third money. Yet to win in three 2009 starts, she was beaten a neck while finishing third in the Santa Ana Handicap.

Irish-bred Tuscan Evening broke her maiden in January her first of three victories in four 2009 starts. The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained filly set the pace before settling for third while making her lone stakes start in the Las Cienagas Handicap.

Modification enters after finishing in a dead heat for third in the Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs; Ainamaa won an allowance race after a fourth in the Santa Barbara, and Lemon Chiffon was third in the Distaff Turf Mile in her most recent start at Churchill Downs.

ALL QUIET STILL ON THE BELMONT STAKES FRONT

A field of 10, including Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, is shaping up for the June 6 Belmont Stakes. That number could increase to 11 should the connections of Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra decide to enter their filly in the Test of the Champion. But no word on her participation is expected at least until a scheduled workout next Monday at Churchill Downs.

That means the Belmont riding assignments are still up in the air with Calvin Borel, the regular rider of Rachel Alexandra and the rider of Mine That Bird in the Derby, waiting as long as possible to choose one over the other.

Mine That Birds trainer Chip Woolley would prefer that Borel ride his gelding in the Belmont, but he has been very patient in waiting for an announcement by his Derby jockey. For Woolley, it comes down to loyalty, and the realization that it was Borel who piloted Mine That Bird to the victory of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby.

I dont want Calvin sitting on the sidelines,said Woolley, referring to the prospect of Borel making a premature decision to commit to Rachel Alexandra for the Belmont and then not have a mount because the filly does not get entered next Wednesday, and because another rider has committed to Mine That Bird.

No matter who he winds up riding, Borel, with a Belmont victory, would be the first jockey in history to win all three legs of the Triple Crown in one year aboard more than a single horse.

ALBARADO, EMIGH APPROACHING RIDING MILESTONES

Robby Albarado, regular rider of 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin, needs just two more victories to become the 56th jockey to ride 4,000 winners in North America. Albarado, 35, had the day off on Thursday, but he is slated to ride in six races at Churchill Downs tomorrow, including the morning line favorites in races three and seven.

Meanwhile, Illinois-based rider Chris Emigh, 38, is two wins shy of the 3,000-win plateau. At press time, he is winless from two mounts at Arlington Park today, with two additional mounts remaining on the Thursday card.

JOCKEY JOUBERT SCORES RARE TRIPLE

While much of the racing world is focused on Calvin Borels possible sweep of the Triple Crown with multiple horses, Mid-Atlantic based jockey Jenna Joubert registered an uncommon riding triple of her own on May 14, tallying wins at three different racetracks in that single day.

Joubert started things off with a victory aboard Chloes Song in the second race at Pimlico for trainer Dane Kobiskie. Joubert then traveled to Penn National where she guided Prove Mcguilty to win that tracks opening race, again for trainer Kobiskie. Then it was back in her car for a ride to Charles Town and yet another victory, this time on Cover My Six in the ninth race for trainer Justin Nixon.

While rare, Jouberts feat is not unprecedented. It was last accomplished by fellow Mid-Atlantic jockey Jonathan Joyce who rode winners at Pimlico, Delaware Park and Penn National on August 20, 2005.

GRAYSON-JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS ADDITIONAL STUDY ON SURFACES

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today that it is providing $50,000 to fund an innovative research project designed to create a state-of-the-art method of assessing racetrack surfaces. The project is being conducted by Dr. Sue Stover, Dr. Mont Hubbard, Dr. Shrinivasa Upadhyaha and Jacob Setterbo at the University of California-Davis.

The researchers seek to replicate synthetic and dirt racetrack surfaces in a laboratory setting. Successful validation of the laboratory track in a boxwill enable the study of factors that affect hoof impact, and thus propensity for injury, on racetrack surfaces in a carefully controlled environment.

The track in a box is designed to gather data from simulated hoof impacts on different surface materials. Subsequently, hoof impact data will be used in a computer model of the equine forelimb to predict fetlock joint angle and suspensory ligament and digital flexor tendon strains with different race surface properties.

We believe that, eventually, standard mechanical properties can be determined, and racetrack surface manufacturers can engineer surface materials that will minimize fetlock injuries in racehorses,said Stover.

The model and simulation can be used to determine these optimal, standard mechanical properties. Conducting this research in a laboratory setting can simulate an infinite number of race surfaces without having to build and test entire new racecourses,Stover explained.

Additionally, the computer model can allow for testing of extremes, which would not be appropriate if actual horses were being used.

In reference to how this project interfaces with existing science and other recently launched efforts funded by industry organizations, Dr. Stover stressed, This laboratory study complements the efforts of Drs. Mick Peterson and C. Wayne McIlwraith, who are conducting composition analysis and performance testing of existing race surfaces to promote consistency and reduce injury rates. These efforts are important for direct feedback to racetrack management teams, but are limited to existing race surfaces under varying environmental conditions.

The recently launched project is being added to the 17 others that the foundation earlier announced it would be funding in 2009. The total allocation for all 18 will be $924,894 this year.

BELMONT BASH TO BENEFIT EQUINE RESEARCH AND N.Y. RACE TRACK CHAPLAINCY

The Belmont Bash, hosted by the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Jockey Club, will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2009, at The Clubhouse at Meadowbrook Pointe in Westbury, N.Y.

Tickets are $250 per person and proceeds will benefit Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), New York Division.

The Bash will feature cocktails, dinner, a charity casino and musical entertainment by the Faze 4 Orchestra.

Raising funds to benefit our sports equine and human participants is a fitting prelude to the 141st running of the Belmont Stakes two days later,said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward. We are proud to support Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundations efforts in the field of equine medical research as well as efforts by the New York division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America to minister to the needs of the hard-working families on the backstretch at NYRA racetracks.

Additional information about the Belmont Bash is available by contacting Nancy Kelly at (212) 521-5305 or nkelly@jockeyclub.com; or Jenifer Van Deinse at (212) 521-5327 or jvandeinse@jockeyclub.com.

RACING ON THE AIR (all times Eastern) June 6, Belmont Stakes undercard (Belmont Park); 12:00-5:00 p.m., ESPN

June 6, Belmont Stakes (Belmont Park); 5:00-7:00 p.m., ABC

RACING TO HISTORY

May 28, 1997: Visa USA and Triple Crown Productions announced that they had increased the bonus for winning the Triple Crown to a total of $5 million.

May 28, 2000: Jockey Edgar Prado registered his 4,000th career victory aboard Thunder Breeze in the second race at Belmont Park.

May 29, 1897: Scottish Chieftain, owned by Marcus Daly, became the only Montana bred to win the Belmont Stakes.

May 29, 1907: Colin began his undefeated career, breaking his maiden by two lengths at Belmont Park.

May 29, 1946: Two-year-old fillies Chakoora and Uleta became the first Thoroughbreds to complete a transcontinental flight. They were flown from New York to Inglewood, Calif., by the American Air Express Corporation, for a 2,446-mile trip that lasted 20 hours due to adverse weather conditions.

May 30, 1903: Flocarline became the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes.

May 30, 1908: Jockey Joe Notter misjudged the finish of the Belmont Stakes and eased up on his mount, Colin, whose career record to that point was 13-for-13. Notter barely recovered from his mistake to hold off the drive of Fair Play, who came within a head of defeating Colin. When he retired, Colins record stood at 15 wins in as many starts.

May 30, 1936: Omaha, the Triple Crown winner of 1935, won the Queens Plate at Kempton Park, England, for owner William Woodward.

May 30, 1941: Hollywood Park introduced the vibrationless camera,developed by Hollywood cameraman Lorenzo del Ricio. Eight patrol judges with the cameras, which were attached to their binoculars, were stationed at intervals around the track. Jockey Nunzio Pariso was the cameras first victimhe was shown on film crowding a rival on the far turn.

May 30, 1969: Jockey Patricia Barton won her first career race, at Pikes Peak.

May 31, 1969: Racing returned to Pennsylvania when Liberty Bell racetrack opened, near Philadelphia. The state had not had legal racing since 1802 and became the 30th state to adopt parimutuel wagering.

May 31, 2001: Jockey Pat Day became just the third jockey in history to win 8,000 races, hitting the milestone by winning the sixth race at Churchill Downs aboard Camden Park. Day joined Laffit Pincay Jr. and Bill Shoemaker in the 8,000 club.

June 1, 1881: Pierre Lorillards Iroquois became the first American-owned and -bred horse to win a European classic race when he won the Epsom Derby under one of Englands greatest riders, Fred Archer. Iroquois won seven of nine starts as a three-year-old, including Englands St. Leger Stakes.

June 1, 1946: Assault became the seventh horse to win the Triple Crown, with a victory in the Belmont Stakes.

June 1, 1973: In his final tuneup for the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, Secretariat went six furlongs in 1:11 3/5, doing the first three furlongs in :35 2/5 and five furlongs in :59.

June 1, 1978: In his first start ever on the turf, eventual four-time champion grass horse John Henry won a $35,000, 1 1/16-mile claiming race by 14 lengths at Belmont Park. John Henry was voted champion turf horse for the years 1980-81 and 1983-84.

June 1, 1999: Mr. Prospector, the most influential sire of his generation, died in his stall at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky. He was 29.

June 2, 1943: Trainer Hirsch Jacobs claimed two-year-old Stymie for $1,500. By the end of 1947, Stymie had become the worlds leading money-winning Thoroughbred, with earnings of $816,060 and 22 stakes victories.

June 2, 1947: After a six-year layoff, 13-year-old Honey Cloud won the second race at Aqueduct. His jockey, Clarence Minner, had not ridden in 10 years.

June 2, 2005: Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze recorded his 9,000th career victory aboard Queen of the Hunt in the eighth race at Golden Gate Fields. Only Laffit Pincay Jr., who registered 9,530 wins during his racing career, had more victories at that time than Baze.

June 2, 2007: A portrait of Barbaro brought a winning bid of $14,400 on ebay in support of the NTRA Charities-Barbaro Memorial Fund.

June 3, 1943: To further the war effort, the Navy took over Tanforan racetrack and used it as a training base.

June 3, 2004: Smarty Jones became the first horseracing figure to make the cover of ESPN The Magazine.

June 4, 1870: Ed Brown became the first African-American jockey to win the Belmont Stakes, with Kingfisher.

June 4, 1913: At odds of 100-1, Aboyeur became the first horse to win the Epsom Derby by an on-course disqualification after Craganour, who won by a head, was disqualified for bumping. During the race, a suffragette had rushed onto the track and pulled down the Kings horse, Anmer. The suffragette, Emily Davison, died of a fractured skull.

June 4, 1941: Three days before his race in the Belmont Stakes, which would complete his Triple Crown, Whirlaway worked 1 1/4 miles in 2:02 2/5.

June 4, 2005: Jockey Eddie Castro set a North American record for most wins by a jockey in a single day at one racetrack by winning nine races on the 13-race card at Miamis Calder Race Course.

June 5, 1884: James McLaughlin became the first jockey to ride three consecutive Belmont Stakes winners, when he rode Panique to victory. He previously won with George Kinney (1883) and Forester (1882). McLaughlin repeated his feat in 1886-88, with each of his wins aboard horses owned by the Dwyer brothers. McLaughlins triple was matched by jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. in 1984.

June 5, 1901: William C. Whitneys Volodyovski won the Epsom Derby, making him the second American owner (after Pierre Lorillard in 1881) to have won the race. Whitney leased the English-bred horse for the express purpose of winning at Epsom. Whitneys trainer, John Huggins, was the first American to train an Epsom Derby winner.

June 5, 1937: War Admiral became the fourth winner of the Triple Crown, with a win in the Belmont Stakes.

June 5, 1943: Count Fleet ended his racing career by winning the Belmont Stakes by 25 lengths. He was the sixth American Triple Crown winner. Count Fleet was such a heavy favorite for the race, going off at odds of 1-20, that no place or show wagering was allowed.

June 5, 1969: Jockey Mary Bacon won her first race, at Finger Lakes. Among apprentices, she finished 23rd in the races-won category that year, with 55 victories in 396 starts and purses of $91,642. Bacon was the first female to join the list of leading apprentices.

June 5, 1985: Steve Cauthen won the Epsom Derby aboard Slip Anchor and became the only American jockey to win both the English and Kentucky Derbies. Cauthen had previously ridden Affirmed to victory in the 1978 Kentucky Derby.

June 5, 1993: Julie Krone became the first female rider to win a Triple Crown race when she won the Belmont Stakes with Colonial Affair.

June 5, 1999: Charismatic lost his bid to become the 12th Triple Crown winner when he fractured his left front cannon bone and sesamoid while finishing third to Lemon Drop Kid in the Belmont Stakes.

June 5, 2004: Smarty Joness quest to become horseracings 12th Triple Crown winner ended when he was upset by 36-1 longshot Birdstone by one length before a record crowd of 120,139. NBC Sports telecast of the Belmont was the highest rated program of any kind for the week.

June 6, 1919: Man o War won his first race ever, a five-furlong contest over a straightaway at Belmont Park. He won by six lengths, running the distance in 59 seconds, and went off at odds of 3-5. In each of his 20 subsequent races, Man o War was the odds-on favorite.

June 6, 1972: In preparation for his colts July 4 racing debut, trainer Lucien Laurin put blinkers on two-year-old Secretariat for the first time. Secretariat responded by working a half-mile at Belmont Park in :47 3/5, the fastest time he had ever worked up to that date.

June 6, 1987: Bet Twice became the first horse to receive a Triple Crown bonus after winning the Belmont Stakes over rival Alysheba. He earned $1 million in addition to the first-place money.

June 6, 1992: Jockey Carl Gambardella won his 6,000th career victory, aboard Nip of Gin, at Rockingham Park.

June 6, 1998: Real Quiet was denied the Triple Crown when Victory Gallop edged him at the wire in the Belmont Stakes before an audience of 80,162. The crowd was the second-largest in the tracks history and just shy of the mark set in 1971 when Canonero II failed in his Triple Crown bid before 82,694 spectators. Total handle on the Belmont Day card was a record of $55,613,482.

June 7, 1930: Gallant Fox became the second winner of the Triple Crown after he won the Belmont Stakes under Earl Sande. Gallant Fox subsequently sired another Triple Crown winner, Omaha.

June 7, 1941: Whirlaway won the 73rd running of the Belmont Stakes and became the fifth horse to win the Triple Crown.

June 7, 1947: Owner William Helis had three stakes wins in three different states. Rippey won the Carter Handicap at New Yorks Aqueduct; Jobstown won the Absecon Handicap at New Jerseys Atlantic City and Elpis won the New Castle Handicap at Delaware Park.

June 7, 1980: Genuine Risk became the first filly to compete in all three Triple Crown races. She won the Kentucky Derby and finished second in both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

June 7, 1986: Trainer Woody Stephens saddled Danzig Connection to win his fifth consecutive Belmont Stakes. Stephens won the previous races with Conquistador Cielo (1982), Caveat (1983), Swale (1984) and Creme Fraiche (1985).

June 7, 1997: In his bid to become the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown, Silver Charm was outdueled during the stretch run of the Belmont Stakes by Touch Gold. Silver Charm held on for second and became the 13th horse to have lost the Triple Crown after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

June 7, 2003: Triple Crown hopeful Funny Cide lost his bid to become the twelfth Triple Crown winner finishing third to Empire Maker and Ten Most Wanted before 101,864 in the 135th Belmont Stakes. The NBC telecast of the Belmont generated the highest rating for any horse race since the 1990 Kentucky Derby. The final hour of the telecast earned the highest rating (10.7) of any prime-time program on television that week.

June 7, 2008: Big Brown is eased in the stretch of the 140th Belmont Stakes, ending his attempt to capture the Triple Crown. Longshot Da Tara won the race wire-to-wire before 94,476 spectators.

June 7, 2008: Legendary sportscaster Jim McKay, the creator of the Maryland Million, died at age 86.

June 8, 1935: Omaha, son of Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox, became the third winner of the Triple Crown with a win in the Belmont Stakes.

June 8, 1985: Brushwood Stables Creme Fraiche became the first gelding to win the Belmont Stakes.

June 8, 1991: Julie Krone became the first female rider to compete in the Belmont Stakes. Her mount, Subordinated Debt, finished ninth as the third-longest shot in the field. Also on that date, Mane Minister became the only horse to finish third in all three Triple Crown events.

June 8, 2002: A record Belmont Park crowd of 103,222 witnessed War Emblem fail in his bid to become Thoroughbred racings 12th Triple Crown winner at the 134th Belmont Stakes. War Emblem finished eighth behind longshot Sarava, who paid $142,50 to win as the highest priced winner in Belmont Stakes history. Belmont Parks previous attendance record was 85,818, set in 1999 when Charismatic finished third in attempting a Triple Crown sweep.

June 9, 1888: James McLaughlin set the record for most number of wins by a jockey in the Belmont Stakes, six, when he rode Sir Dixon to a 12-length victory. McLaughlins record was matched by Eddie Arcaro in 1955.

June 9, 1887: Only two horses competed in the Belmont Stakes. It was the smallest field in the races history, which again had only two starters in 1888, 1892, 1910, and 1920, the year Man o War won the Belmont by 20 lengths.

June 9, 1945: Hoop Jr. won the Kentucky Derby, which was run one month after a national wartime government ban on racing was lifted.

June 9, 1973: Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengthsthe longest winning margin in the races historywhile setting a track record of 2:24, which has not been surpassed. The time was 2 3/5 seconds faster than the mark set by Gallant Man in 1957. Secretariats victory made him the ninth Triple Crown winner and first since Citation had swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont in 1948.

June 9, 1979: Spectacular Bid lost his chance for the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes, finishing third to winner Coastal. Trainer Bud Delp alleged that the colt had sustained a foot injury after stepping on a safety pin the morning of the race.

June 9, 1984: Riding Swale in a wire-to-wire victory, Laffit Pincay Jr. won his third consecutive Belmont Stakes, becoming the only rider in this century to accomplish that feat. Pincay rode Caveat to victory in 1983 and Conquistador Cielo in 1982; all three of his mounts were trained by Woody Stephens. Jockey James McLaughlin also rode three consecutive Belmont winners, once from 1882-84, and again from 1886-88. Swales Belmont was also the first in which a female trainer saddled a horse for the race. Sarah Lundy sent Minstrel Star to a last-place finish.

June 9, 2003: Spectacular Bid, a Champion at ages 2, 3 and 4, died at the age of 27.

June 9, 2007: Rags to Riches wore down Preakness winner and eventual Horse of the Year Curlin in the stretch to become the first filly in 102 years to capture the Belmont Stakes. It was the first Triple Crown race won by trainer Todd Pletcher.

June 10, 1890: The Preakness Stakes was run outside Baltimore, at Morris Park in New York, under the auspices of the New York Jockey Club. Suspended for three years, the race was next run at the Brooklyn Jockey Clubs Gravesend Course, 1894-1908.

June 10, 1938: Hollywood Park opened in Inglewood, Calif. In its inaugural year, Hollywood Park attracted such racing stars as Lawrin, who had given jockey Eddie Arcaro his first Kentucky Derby victory, as well as Ligaroti and Seabiscuit, whose rivalry later reached its pitch in a match race contested at Del Mar on Aug. 12, 1938.

June 10, 1944: The only triple dead heat for first in a stakes race occurred at Aqueduct Racetrack in the Carter Handicap. The three winners were Brownie, Bossuet and Wait a Bit.

June 10, 1953: Trainer Charlie Whittingham, at age 40, saddled his first stakes winner when Porterhouse, ridden by Bill Boland, won the National Stallion Stakes at Belmont Park. Porterhouse was later named champion two-year-old of 1953.

June 10, 1972: Laffit Pincay Jr. won his 2,000th victory while riding at Hollywood Park.

June 10, 1978: Steve Cauthen, at age 18, became the youngest jockey ever to win the Triple Crown when his mount, Affirmed, won the Belmont Stakes. Also on that day, Alydar became the only horse to finish second in all three Triple Crown races. Affirmed was the 11th winner of the Triple Crown.

June 10, 2000: The 132nd Belmont Stakes drew a crowd of 67,810, making it the fourth largest in the racetracks history and the largest Belmont Stakes crowd ever when a Triple Crown was not at stake. The race was won by longshot Commendable, giving trainer D. Wayne Lukas his record 13th win in a Triple Crown race.

WEEKEND STAKES RACES (unrestricted stakes in N.A. worth $75,000 and up) SATURDAY, MAY 30

Nassau Stakes, 3up (fm), $300,000, Grade II, 1 1-16M, Woodbine

Gamely Stakes, 3up (fm), $250,000, Grade I, 1 1-8M (T), Churchill Downs

Sands Point Stakes, 3yo fillies, $150,000, Grade II, 1 1-8M (T), Belmont Park

Aristides Handicap, 3up, $100,000, Grade III, 6F, Churchill Downs

Dogwood Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, Grade III, 1M, Churchill Downs

Golden Gate Fields Turf, 4up, $100,000, Grade III, 1 3-8M (T), Golden Gate Fields

SUNDAY, MAY 31

Honeymoon Handicap, 3yo fillies, $150,000, Grade II, 1 1-8M (T), Hollywood Park