WOODBINE, Ontario - Cliff Hopmans spent more than 10 years as director of horsemen's relations at Woodbine before returning to the training game at the beginning of 2001.

So it seems appropriate that Hopmans, who had launched his first training career here in 1979, will be sending out Dawn Watcher in a new race named in honor of his former employer, Sunday's $105,000 Ontario Jockey Club Stakes.

The Ontario Jockey Club, a seven-furlong turf race for Canadian-breds, is an overnight event which is not a guaranteed part of the stakes schedule.

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Royal Empress, an impressive winner of her only lifetime start, should be a heavy favorite in the filly division of Saturday's Saskatchewan Futurity at Marquis Downs.

Royal Empress, a $5,200 yearling purchase, faces seven rivals in the $5,000 Futurity, which is restricted to Canadian-bred foals produced by Canadian-owned mares.

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Just two months ago, Campbell Wilson was pondering his future.

Things looked bleak for the 26-year-old Wilson, who had obtained his trainer's license in late September at Fort Erie.

Wilson had formed a small syndicate late last year and over the winter purchased four horses at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas to race in the claiming ranks at Fort Erie. As the season here unfolded, however, the runners met little success.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Lucky Larue and Magic Jack, second and third in the Clarendon Stakes, will meet again at Woodbine Sunday in the $132,875 Bull Page Stakes, a six-furlong dash for 2-year-olds.

Lucky Larue is one of just two winners in the eight-horse field of Ontario-sired colts. A pigeon-toed son of Barbeau, Lucky Larue finished fifth when he debuted in a key race, and then graduated with ease in another 4 1/2-furlong maiden special on June 2.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Silver Nithi had her first feel of a turf course Friday, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.60 in preparation for the $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes at Woodbine on Aug. 5.

"She handled it well," said trainer David Bell, after watching Silver Nithi and exercise rider Sarah Cohen work in company with stakes-placed stablemate Funny Soldier, who breezed in 1:00.20.

The Wonder Where, a 1 1/4-mile turf race, is the final leg of the Triple Tiara for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - The biggest weekend of the meeting is coming up at Assiniboia Downs, highlighted by the Manitoba Derby on the Aug. 5 holiday Monday program.

Nominations closed last Thursday for the Manitoba Derby, Wheat City, Winnipeg Sun, Jack Hardy, Winnipeg Futurity, and North Dakota Stallion Stakes.

Seventeen 3-year-olds, including Alberta Derby winner Lord Shogun, have been nominated to the Grade 3, $100,000 Manitoba Derby at 1 1/8 miles.

Ekati, winner of the Derby Trial Stakes here in his last start, represents the best hope of the local contingent.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Sometimes, trainer Kent Molinaro has learned, it's better to be lucky than good.

But when you're good and can mix a little luck in, that's even better, as Profound Secret proved winning the six-furlong Sam J. Whiting Handicap at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton four weeks ago.

Molinaro hopes that Profound Secret can do it again Saturday in the $50,000 Ernest Finley Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair. Profound Secret will have six rivals in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Janet, Golden Apples, and Surya have come a long way since their United States debuts in past seasons at Del Mar. Saturday, these top-class turf fillies - once unknown and unheralded - battle toward the top of their division in the Grade 1 John C. Mabee/Ramona Handicap.

Janet was a seemingly outclassed import when she sprang a $37 upset in a first-level Del Mar allowance in 2000, and scored her first Grade 1 win here last year when she paid $32.80 winning the Ramona. She now stands poised to pass the $1 million career earnings mark for trainer Darrell Vienna.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When Bobby Frankel reviews the eight races You has run since arriving in his barn, he points to last year's Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga as being her best.

All she's done since is win four Grade 1 races.

In last August's Adirondack, You chased the speedy Cashier's Dream for more than six furlongs before catching her in the final 50 yards to win by a neck. The final time of 1:15.16 for 6 1/2 furlongs was a stakes record.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Last year, only three opponents lined up against defending champion Kona Gold in the $200,000 Bing Crosby Breeders' Cup Handicap. On Saturday, there is no shortage of rivals attempting to dethrone Kona Gold in his attempt for an unprecedented third consecutive win in the Del Mar sprint.

Kona Gold, the Eclipse Award-winning sprinter of 2000, has only one win in five starts since the 2001 Bing Crosby. The losses have created doubts about his prospects as an 8-year-old.