LEXINGTON, Ky. – In normal times, having a horse win a $500,000 race would represent a monumental feat for just about any trainer.

But these are extraordinary times for Graham Motion. Last Saturday, Motion was halfway around the world to saddle Animal Kingdom for a smashing victory in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

So, when Motion is at Keeneland on Saturday to send out a couple of fillies named Kitten’s Point and Tuttipaesi for the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes, won’t he be feeling a bit of a buzzkill?

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The 11th Florida Cup, an afternoon of racing that features six $75,000 stakes for horses bred in the Sunshine State, will be held Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Perhaps the most interesting and competitive race of the day is the $75,000 Sprint, a six-furlong race that includes Good Lord, who came off a short layoff in his first race of 2013 to score a bang-up victory over Action Andy in the seven-furlong Super Stakes.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Combined, they have won nine consecutive races by more than 61 lengths.

Saturday, the Maryland-based Walkwithapurpose invades New York to take on local talent Princess of Sylmar in an intriguing renewal of the Grade 2, $250,000 Gazelle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

One winter day at Aqueduct a decade ago, Efraim Rosa stood sentry in the jockeys’ room when Irad Ortiz, his old friend from Puerto Rico, came by with his two grandchildren, Irad Jr. and Jose. So close in age they looked like twins, the boys were still a few years short of their teens.

“These are going to be my jockeys!” exclaimed the grandfather, who had been a jockey in Puerto Rico but was now working on the backstretch in New York.

[bc_video_id:288404:]OZONE PARK, N.Y. – If one were to drive the 771 miles from Aqueduct to Churchill Downs, the route would include a trip over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, an imposing double-suspension structure that leads from Brooklyn to Staten Island and points south and west.

PHOENIX – Why Not Be Perfect looks to cement his status as the top route horse at Turf Paradise as the 6-year-old carries high weight of 124 pounds in Saturday’s $35,000 Wildcat Handicap. Despite his success this meet, Why Not Be Perfect didn’t exactly scare away the opposition as eight signed on to challenge the likely heavy favorite in the 1 3/8-mile grass event.

Also on Saturday’s program is the $35,000 Arizona Stallion Stakes. The 7 1/2-furlong grass event for 3-year-olds conceived by a stallion standing in Arizona drew a field of six.

Craig Braddick, formerly of Zia Park, has been named the new announcer at Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio. Braddick will also co-host a daily television show at Thistledown and work with the marketing department on promotions for Thistledown’s new slots casino, which opens April 9.

The 120-day Thistledown racing season opens April 19 and will continue through Nov. 17. Thistledown is owned by Caesars Entertainment. The new racino will house more than 1,000 video lottery terminals.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Assured Victory should appreciate the return to Aqueduct's main track in Friday’s nominal $51,000 optional claiming feature going a mile.

Assured Victory hasn’t won on dirt since March 29, 2012, when he rolled to a six-length victory in a $25,000 claimer going seven furlongs on the main track.

Assured Victory raced three times on the inner track with a second and two thirds.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Funnys Approval, My Wandy’s Girl, and Withgreatpleasure, the top three finishers from the Grade  2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap, comprise half the field entered for Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian Handicap at one mile.

The Ruffian is carded as the fourth race on the card.

Funnys Approval recorded a 21-1 front-running shocker in the seven-furlong Barbara Fritchie, her fourth consecutive victory since being switched to the dirt by trainer Jose Lopez.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Todd Pletcher has a pretty strong hand for the Kentucky Oaks with Dreaming of Julia, Unlimited Budget, and Silsita.

Saturday, Princess of Sylmar could earn her spot in the Oaks in the Grade 2, $250,000 Gazelle Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.

Princess of Sylmar has won four consecutive races by a combined 38  3/4 lengths. She won the Busanda by 7 1/2 lengths and the Busher by seven lengths.