ARCADIA, Calif. - They crossed paths once before, back in April of 2004 in the San Francisco Mile, when Singletary was a colt of increasing promise and Captain Squire was no longer the horse of his youth.

The decision went to Singletary, by three-quarters of a length, with Captain Squire a game but conclusively beaten second. Six months later, Singletary stood in the winner's circle at Lone Star Park, victorious in the Breeders' Cup Mile, while Captain Squire had disappeared from the racing landscape, all but forgotten.

NEW YORK - The New York Racing Association would have celebrated its 50th birthday last Wednesday, but there wasn't much to celebrate. Instead of noisemakers and balloons, there was a grim announcement that the outfit might be insolvent before the end of the year. A day later, Joseph Bruno, the majority leader in the state Senate and once NYRA's staunchest ally in Albany, called for an acceleration of the franchise-renewal process in hopes of preempting a 51st birthday party.

NEW YORK - Horseplayers used to think that solving the riddle of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile required just three clues: the Champagne, the Breeders' Futurity, and the Norfolk. Figure out which winner of those three major preps was the best, and there's your Juvenile winner.

ARCADIA, Calif. - There will be a lot of moaning and groaning about the quality of the field going forth in Saturday's running of the six-furlong Ancient Title Stakes, especially from those who take the graded race system seriously, all of them shuddering at the prospect of a Grade 1 California sprint without the presence of such proven performers as Pico Central, Greg's Gold, Woke Up Dreamin, and Unfurl the Flag.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The graduation ceremony from the University of Richard Mandella is simple and direct, reflecting the man himself.

There is no pomp and very little circumstance. Emotions are kept in check. The graduate is allowed to wash the tack and rake the shed row one last time, sweep the office floor, and detail Mandella's SUV. He, or she, is presented with a souvenir rub rag and a hoof pick. After a brief review of workers' compensation insurance laws, goodbyes are said and the locks are changed.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Go ahead and sing the praises of Saint Liam. Beat the drum for the miraculous return of Afleet Alex. And spend precious time wondering what Coolmore and Godolphin have in store. When it comes to speculation about the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic, there are no rules, and no holds barred.

ARCADIA, Calif. - If it's Oak Tree, there must be something on fire somewhere close to Santa Anita, and this season is no different. As of Friday morning, just a short freeway hop down U.S. 101, more than 16,000 acres of rugged, mostly unpopulated terrain in the San Fernando Valley was burning out of control and threatening homes despite the efforts of 3,000 firefighters.

NEW YORK - The recent final report by Getnick & Getnick, the federally appointed monitor overseeing the New York Racing Association for 18 months during its deferred-prosecution agreement with the United States attorney, concluded with one primary call to action:

"Of the many recommendations set forth in this report, we most strongly recommend that (1) The Racing and Wagering Board act as soon as possible on the joint NYRA/Capital OTB and Nassau OTB Player Reward Program proposal (pending since May 6, 2005) as a countervailing measure to the cut-off of rebate shops."

NEW YORK - The quintet of Grade 1 stakes at Belmont Park Saturday comprises the deepest, richest card of racing so far this season. The five races, each corresponding precisely in surface and distance to a Breeders' Cup race that will be run at Belmont on Oct. 29, might seem highly likely to produce the winners of those main events four weeks hence.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Sure, there are 13 major stakes scheduled to be run at Santa Anita and Belmont this weekend, all of them bursting with possible scenarios for the Breeders' Cup championship day at the end of the month.

And yes, the animals involved represent a short list of the best the game has to offer, at least at the moment, including Ashado, Rock Hard Ten, Flower Alley, Lava Man, Borrego, Angara, Sweet Symphony, Melhor Ainda, English Channel, Shakespeare, First Samurai, Wild Fit, Woke Up Dreamin, and Stevie Wonderboy.