SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Beads of sweat replaced pellets of rain on people's foreheads, and bottled water may have been more advisable than a can of beer as the refreshment of choice to beat the heat, but in the end opening day of Saratoga's 143rd season was pretty cool.

Despite dire forecasts of oppressive conditions, Friday's opening-day card went off as planned and extremely smoothly. For the first time since 2007, all dirt races were run over a fast main track and no turf races were forced to be run on the dirt.

DEL MAR, Calif. – A rule change that will void claims on horses who are fatalities during a race will be enacted later this summer or early fall, after being passed by the California Horse Racing Board on Thursday.

Jockey G.R. Carter Jr. had a handful of mount options for the Grade 1, $700,000 Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday after qualifying four horses for the race. But his presence aboard Mighty B Valiant in the 400-yard finale is really no surprise.

“He’s the best horse,” said Carter, who guided Mighty B Valiant to a 3 3/4-length trial win July 8.

The Rainbow is the second leg of the All American Triple Crown for Quarter Horses. The Ruidoso Downs series concludes on Labor Day with the $2.4 million All American Futurity.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Overdriven rolled to a 3 1/2-length debut victory at Belmont Park on July 1, it evoked memories of Uncle Mo in part because he hails from the same connections. But trainer Todd Pletcher isn’t ready to put Overdriven in that category just yet.

“I’m not going to make any Uncle Mo comparisons with anybody,” said Pletcher, who trains both horses for owner Mike Repole.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Regardless of opportunities on the stakes calendar, Lucky Primo keeps his own schedule, which is why owner-trainer Joshua Litt was reluctant to point the 5-year-old gelding to Sunday’s $100,000 California Dreamin’ Handicap at Del Mar until the last minute.

“I didn’t plan for this race,” Litt said. “I don’t test him out that often. I hoped he’d be doing good enough to run him.”

OMAHA, Neb. – Dark Ruler and Schramsberg head a strong list of Iowa invaders descending upon Horsemen’s Park for the one-mile, $50,000 Omaha Stakes as the four-day Festival of Racing draws to a close Sunday afternoon. Announcer Terry Wallace will send the field on its way for the feature, which drew a strong field of 10.

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Gentlemans Code was a lone bright spot for trainer Wesley Ward in his latest foray to England.

Back from his travels abroad, Gentlemans Code now heads to Monmouth Park on Sunday for the $70,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs.

The 12-race card that starts at 12:50 p.m. also includes the $70,000 Desert Vixen for 3-year-old fillies on the turf, a race that failed to fill for Saturday before coming back with eight runners when held over another day.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Cherokee Tear and Seminole Brave look like the main players in a $35,000 optional claimer for 3-year-olds and up that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint drew six horses, and trainer Robert Gilker and his wife Victoria are hoping Bonboni will help soften up Seminoe Brave enough for Cherokee Tear to run him down late.

FORT ERIE, Ontario – Going into last Sunday’s $30,000 Fort Erie Slots Cup race, trainer Martin Drexler was facing a conundrum.

Drexler had two fast fillies, My Natalie and Gee Pari, running as an entry in the six-furlong dash. Both fillies were on the top of their games with three and two straight wins, respectively. Krista Carignan had been on board for all five trips to the winner’s circle.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Trainer Dino Condilenios still hasn’t made up his mind on whether he was going to run Almost Time in the B.C. Cup Sprint or the Classic. The Classic and Sprint are part of the seven stakes races restricted to British Columbia-breds that make up the bulk of the B.C. Cup Day card coming up Aug. 1.