LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Most of the veterans in the Churchill Downs jockey colony have been riding here for years. One notable exception at the 2011 spring meet is Manny Cruz, a 41-year-old Brazilian who was a perennial leading rider at Calder in south Florida before deciding to ride regularly here for the first time.

It is hard to get past Indoctrination in a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds that will serve as the feature race at Northlands Park Sunday. The six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds drew six horses but it appears the other five are running for second money.

One note of caution to chalk players: Indoctrination looked like death and taxes when he finished second to Dollarwaitnonadime in his first start at Northlands and in Canada on May 21.

AUBURN, Wash. – There’s no stakes race Sunday at Emerald Downs, but the featured ninth race, a first-level optional allowance for 3-year-olds, includes a handful of runners who could be destined for stakes this summer. The race attracted eight entrants who’ll vie over 6-1/2 furlongs for a share of the $17,600 purse. First post is 2 p.m. Pacific.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With the likely defection of Dollarwaitnonadime, Avulsion, Jump Up and Kissme, and Inhisglory look like the main players in the $50,000 River Rock Casino at Hastings Sunday. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds drew seven horses, but according to trainer Greg Tracy, Dollarwaitnonadime developed a temperature and will not make the trip from Northlands Park.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – If it’s not one thing with Tanda, it is something else. A chipped ankle ended her 2010 campaign; foot trouble stalled her 2011 return; a troubled trip cost her any chance two weeks ago.

And still, Tanda marches forward. Sunday at Hollywood Park, the 4-year-old Tanda drops in class and switches surfaces in the $70,000 Redondo Beach for fillies and mares at a mile on turf.

“We’ll try to get a good mile race in her, and see where we’re at,” trainer Dan Hendricks said.

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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The La Lorgnette Stakes and the Fury Stakes, won this year by Inglorious and Roxy Gap, respectively, are the traditional stepping-stones to the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Luis Contreras’s rise to the top of the jockey standings this spring, a mere two years since he began riding at Woodbine, has been remarkable. Contreras has yet to land a major Canadian stakes, but the native of Mexico has an excellent chance to do so Sunday aboard Inglorious in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.

The 56th running of the Oaks heads a solid 11-race card which also includes the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes – an important prep for the June 26 Queen’s Plate – and the $100,000 Alywow Stakes, a turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies.

MIAMI - Representatives of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association met with the vice president and general manager of racing at Calder Race Course, John Marshall, for several hours on Thursday afternoon trying to resolve their differences regarding several issues, most notably revenues from money bet via advance deposit wagering accounts on live racing at Calder.

Lou Lou Larue will likely be favored when a field of eight older fillies and mares hook up in the $15,000 Bluegrass Stakes at six furlongs Saturday at Lincoln Race Course.

On Saturday night, Delta Downs will host two qualifying stakes for the Challenge Championships program for Quarter Horses this October at Los Alamitos.

Texasindependancegal, who has won 3 of 4 starts, set the fastest qualifying time for Saturday night’s $49,320 Juvenile Challenge.
In the $43,830 Derby Challenge, the Grade 1-placed Zoomarco might be tough to handle if he recaptures his best form.