Jockey Manny Esquivel was to resume riding Saturday in Chicago at Hawthorne after spending several months in New York and should have a decent chance to repeat as leading rider at the 2014 Arlington Park meet, which begins Friday.

Esquivel, who launched his career just over a year ago at Hawthorne, was the surprise leading rider last summer at Arlington, where he nipped James Graham, 83 wins to 79. Esquivel moved his tack to New York during the Hawthorne meet last fall and won 54 races at Aqueduct late last year and during the first three-plus months of 2014.

STICKNEY, Ill. – When River Bear rallied from 18 lengths back to win the Robert S. Molaro Stakes by a half-length April 19 at Hawthorne, he gave the startling impression of a 9-year-old gelding somehow still on top of his game.

For the last decade, the Wood Memorial has not been a harbinger of success in the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The prospect of heavy rain here late Thursday night and into the morning fell well short of some dire early predictions, giving horsemen a “good” racetrack, though tighter than it has been, to train over Friday. The threat of possible adverse weather and track conditions had little to do with the fact none of the 15 potential Kentucky Derby starters stabled on the grounds worked Friday at Churchill Downs. The majority of that activity is scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday mornings with the forecast calling for clear skies at least into Monday.

ELMONT, N.Y. – The Belt Parkway was the conduit for the major activity Friday in preparation for the 140th Kentucky Derby.

One had to navigate the eight-mile stretch of highway – during rush hour no less – from Belmont Park to Aqueduct in order to see the three New York-based 3-year-olds put in their final serious workouts leading up to the Run for the Roses.

At Aqueduct, Withers and Gotham winner Samraat worked a mile in 1:45.91 shortly after 7 a.m. Eastern.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Cody Autrey sent 15 horses to California on Thursday, and plans to have as many 30 runners racing in the state through late November, he said on Friday.

Autrey, 34, had a stable in California from June to late September last year, winning with 6 of 54 starters. He won with 5 of 32 runners at Del Mar, and finished third in the Best Pal Stakes with Guns Loaded.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Salto Del Indio, a Group 1 winner in Chile last October, has been bought by the Little Red Feather Racing Club and transferred to trainer Mike Puype at Santa Anita.

Salto Del Indio arrived in Southern California earlier this month.

Salto Del Indio will be pointed for the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28, according to Little Red Feather president Billy Koch.

CYPRESS, Calif. – Last to Fire, the 2013 World Champion Quarter Horse, resumed training at Los Alamitos last month and is on schedule for the Vessels Maturity trials in June, new trainer Sergio Fiscal said on Thursday.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The 2014 Hastings meet begins Sunday with a strong card that includes a couple 6 1/2-furlong sprint stakes. The $50,000 George Royal for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses and goes as the sixth race. Fillies and mares get their turn in the $50,000 Brighouse Belles in the seventh race. Both races appear to be wide-open events.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Suggestive Boy, third in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf at Santa Anita on March 8, has resumed training after a break and could race as early as the Del Mar summer meeting.

Trainer Ron McAnally said Suggestive Boy had “a minor problem,” but did not elaborate.

“We gave him a little time,” McAnally said. “He won’t be ready for awhile. We decided to back off.“