El Joven, La Senorita expected to be loaded

As usual, the $100,000 El Joven and $100,000 La Senorita should have full fields when they are run Saturday night at Retama Park. The El Joven and La Senorita, both for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf, are two of Retama's richest stakes.

Going Ballistic, who was a 5 1/4-length maiden winner in his two-turn and turf debut in July, is being pointed for the El Joven, said trainer Donnie Von Hemel. He will be a $10,000 supplement to the race, which had 11 probables by Wednesday.

"I'm hoping for a full field," said Retama racing secretary James Leatherman.

Leatherman said other colts and geldings considered firm for the race include Western Prize, who was second last out in the $50,000 Ellis Park Juvenile for trainer Scott Blasi; Eldon's Effort, the winner of the prep for the El Joven on Aug. 13 for trainer Bob Young; and Spoonerism, who is stakes-placed for leading Retama trainer Danny Pish.

Leatherman said he is also expecting Bengal Trader, Explicit Groom, First Dominion, Locomotion, Meaux Power, Shake a Lake, and Stockbroker.

For the La Senorita, Von Hemel said he plans to start Round Lake. She should vie for favoritism following a sharp maiden win in her two-turn and turf debut last out. Leatherman said he expected more than a full field of 12 to be entered in the La Senorita on Thursday.

Other top contenders for the race include Mi Isabella, a maiden winner last out in her two-turn and turf debut for trainer Sam David Jr., and Senora Tormenta, a turf winner for Pish.

Louisiana dates set for 2007

Dates for next year's Thoroughbred meets at Louisiana Downs and Evangeline Downs were awarded during the Louisiana Racing Commission meeting last week. Both calendars are similar to the ones that tracks are racing this year.

Louisiana Downs was granted a 92-date meet, from May 4 through Oct. 20. The track will race mostly four days a week. Evangeline was granted an 89-date meet, from April 4 through Sept. 3.

The commission also granted Delta Downs a 52-date meet for Quarter Horses, from April 19 through July 15.

The commission has two meetings each year to set dates for race meets, one in April and the other in August. Dates for the Thoroughbred meet at Delta and the meet at Fair Grounds were granted in April.

Platinum Ballet retired at 5

Platinum Ballet, a stakes winner of $355,291, has been retired and will be sold at auction at Keeneland in November, said her trainer, Donnie Von Hemel. A 5-year-old, Platinum Ballet last raced Aug. 13 at Arlington, finishing third in the $40,000 Mariah's Storm.

Platinum Ballet won 6 of 29 starts, with her richest victory coming in the $125,000 Iowa Distaff Breeders' Cup in 2005. Her most memorable race, however, came in the Grade 3 Azeri Breeders' Cup at Oaklawn in March, when she finished third to Round Pond and Happy Ticket.

"She got beat about a length that day to a couple of Grade 1 winners," said Von Hemel. "I would hope she would be popular at the sale."

Platinum Ballet is a daughter of Skip Away and the Nureyev mare Main Edition. She raced for Wayne Sanders.

Turf is best for Diggy Fresh

Diggy Fresh tried something different in his first start for trainer James Hodges in June. He raced over turf for the first time, finishing third against open company. Three starts later, Diggy Fresh had the chance to get back on turf, and he won the $100,000 Shiskabob during Louisiana Downs Champions Day.

"He's a little bit better on the turf, I think," said Hodges.

Hodges said the long-term goal for Diggy Fresh is the Turf on the Louisiana Champions Day program at Fair Grounds on Dec. 9, when he could face Mr. Sulu, who has won a record three runnings of the race.

* Multiple stakes winners Goosey Moose and Charming Socialite will meet Friday night in the featured eighth race at Retama. An allowance over one-mile on turf, Goosey Moose should go favored off a close-up third in the $55,000 Retama Park Turf Breeders' Cup.

* Mila's Fame, an impressive maiden winner in her most recent start, will tackle winners in the featured eighth race Friday night at Remington Park. The one-mile allowance is for fillies and mares. Cliff Berry has the mount for trainer Randy Oberlander.

* Retama will have one of its popular 50-cent nights on Saturday. The promotion features reduced prices on certain items, including concessions.