Etc. . . .

Miss Pickums, a multiple stakes winner who won the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs at 2, has been retired after finishing eighth Saturday in the Turfway Breeders' Cup Stakes. Miss Pickums, a 4-year-old Afternoon Deelites filly trained by Paul McGee, won 6 of 20 starts, earned $376,809, and will board at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Ky. . . . Mr. Mellon, winner of the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park in March, has been retired, WinStar Farm announced this week. The owners are reviewing stallion opportunities for Mr. Mellon, a 3-year-old Red Ransom colt who earned $278,580 from nine starts for trainer Elliott Walden. . . . A deal struck last month that will make Harrah's Entertainment majority owner of Louisiana Downs moved forward Tuesday when the Louisiana Gaming Control Board authorized a suitability check on Harrah's to begin. The track is to open a slots casino.