The New York Racing Association will receive a loan of $455 million to rebuild Belmont Park under bills that were passed by the state legislature late on Monday afternoon following negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The bills, part of a package of legislation authorizing elements of the state budget, are certain to be signed by Hochul over the next week. Legislative leaders and Hochul had given their support to the Belmont project prior to the bills being negotiated and passed.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas doesn't have a candidate for this week's 3-year-old classics, but, as always, the legendary trainer is looking to the future.

In his Churchill Downs office before dawn on Saturday morning, the 87-year-old Lukas was looking forward to running last year's Kentucky Oaks winner, Secret Oath, in the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes on Friday, and was excited to welcome this year's 2-year-olds into his barn this week.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The new-look Churchill Downs paddock shown to the world this weekend at the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will, ultimately, be a temporary one. But Brad Cox, whose large Churchill Downs string includes four colts and three fillies whom he will lead over for this weekend's spring classics, would be just fine if it wasn't.

"I know it's just temporary, but I'd be fine if that was the permanent paddock," Cox said.

Country Grammer, who had mixed results in 10-figure stakes in the Middle East earlier this year, worked a half-mile in 47 seconds on Sunday for a possible start in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 29.

Trainer Bob Baffert said on Sunday that Country Grammer’s participation in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles depends on how the 6-year-old works in coming weeks.

Prince Abu Dhabi remained unbeaten after four starts with a half-length win in Saturday’s $101,800 California Derby on the synthetic main track at Golden Gate Fields.

The win is unlikely to lead to a road trip for Prince Abu Dhabi. Trainer Blaine Wright said on Sunday that Prince Abu Dhabi will be strongly considered for the $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes at a mile on turf on May 28.

“There is a big benefit in running out of your own stall,” Wright said.

The Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on June 4 is less likely.

ARCADIA, Calif. - It may take a few days to finalize a short-term race goal for Balnikhov, who won the third stakes of his career in Saturday’s Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields.

The Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 29 or the Grade 3 Poker Stakes at a mile on turf at Belmont Park on June 10 are possibilities for the 4-year-old Balnikhov, who is part of trainer Phil D’Amato’s deep team of turf milers.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Brad Cox, who trains one-fifth of the expected Kentucky Derby field, sent that strong hand out Saturday morning for their final breezes toward the race, now one week off, at Churchill Downs.

The most prominent of Cox’s four expected Derby entrants, Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire, worked in company with Louisiana Derby third-place finisher Jace’s Road during the training window reserved for Derby and Oaks hopefuls at 7:30 a.m., following the first morning renovation break.