OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The proven ability to rate and a turn back to six furlongs could give Ghalia Princess an edge when she meets two-time stakes winner Miss Harriett and three others in Saturday’s $100,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

The Cicada will go as race 6 on a Saturday card that filled only eight races. First post is 1:20 p.m. Saturday's card will feature a $75,633 carryover in the pick six after the multi-race wager went unhit for the second consecutive day on Friday.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Fingal’s Cave, the multiple New York-bred stakes winning mare, will make her next start in the Grade 3, $175,000 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct on April 6, trainer David Donk said Thursday.

Fingal’s Cave had been mentioned as a potential runner for the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland the same day. She is also nominated to the $100,000 Biogio’s Rose, a one-mile race for New York-breds, at Aqueduct on March 23.

It’s Sizzling Time didn’t make his stakes debut until his 40th start, but it was worth the wait for trainer Valrie Smith.

Purchased for $1,000 as a yearling in 2019 by Smith and her husband, fellow trainer Donnovan Haughton, on behalf of owners Chuckie Inc. and Mona Bowley, It’s Sizzling Time benefited from a ground-saving trip under jockey Jean Briceno to upset last month’s John B. Campbell.

The 6-year-old gelding seeks his third consecutive victory in the $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial, one of three stakes on Saturday at Laurel Park.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Key factors that would allow The Chosen Vron to continue his excellence on Saturday at Santa Anita are weather, track condition, and a clean break from the inside post.

The Chosen Vron, who returns in the Grade 3 San Carlos Stakes, may dodge a bullet regarding weather. A dicey forecast was revised, and though a chance of rain remains Friday afternoon, Saturday could be dry and fast. As for overcoming the rail post, that is up to The Chosen Vron.

Milton Pineda, a trainer based in Southern California, has been issued a ban of 15 years for multiple positives of a banned vasodilator and violations of his provisional suspension while his case was being adjudicated, according to a decision by an arbitrator hearing his case.

The 15-year ban is the largest punishment handed out so far under the Anti-Doping and Medication Program that is enforced by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit, which took over drug enforcement in most U.S. racing jurisdictions in May 2023.

The local prowess of B G Warrior may give her an edge against invading Honey Pants as the two bring strong Beyer Speed Figures into the $125,000 Queen Stakes for female sprinters on Saturday night at Turfway Park.

B G Warrior, trained by Hugo Andrade, announced herself with a strong 2022-23 winter at Turfway. The filly won the Valdale Stakes, finished third in both the Cincinnati Trophy and Serena’s Song, and crossed the line first but was disqualified to second for interference in the Gowell.

Jockey Julien Leparoux, an Eclipse Award-winning rider who has been wintering at Oaklawn for the first time in his career, is wrapping up his time in Arkansas. This is his final week to ride regularly at the meet, agent Jose Santos Jr. said Tuesday.

Santos said Leparoux has upcoming stakes engagements on Jeff Ruby Day on March 23 at Turfway Park and Florida Derby Day March 30 at Gulfstream Park. In between, he will be riding some at Turfway and working horses to prepare for other meets in Kentucky.

“He’ll be ready for opening day at Keeneland,” Santos said.

Jockey Fernando Jara, who is back riding in the United States after nine years in Dubai, plans to base at Gulfstream Park for the month of April, agent Jose Santos Jr. said Tuesday.

From there, Jara will spend the summer at Monmouth Park and ride Wednesdays and Thursdays at Delaware Park.

“His goal is to try to get over to the big stage again,” Santos said of Jara, who won the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic with Invasor and the Belmont Stakes with Jazil.

Jara, 36, hopes riding at Gulfstream and Monmouth will lead to mounts in New York.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Rocket Can and Taxed both won graded stakes last year at 3 and will get their anticipated seasons started Saturday in separate allowance races at Oaklawn Park.

Rocket Can’s first out since the Kentucky Derby comes in the 10th, a second-level allowance for 4-year-olds and up at a mile. Last year, he won the Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park. For his 4-year-old campaign, Rocket Can has been working sharply at the Payson Park training center in South Florida.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Khali Magic looks to be the potential controlling speed and could get the wet track she relished last time when she goes for her third consecutive victory in Friday’s New York-bred second-level $45,000 allowance/optional-claiming feature going one mile at Aqueduct.

Four of Khali Magic’s eight career victories have come in this condition, twice when running under the allowance condition – she skipped her first-level condition in 2022 – and twice when in for the claiming tag that she is in for again Friday.