The Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would make it easier for racetracks to transfer their licenses to a different location in the state.

The bill, which passed by a vote of 77-17 and was sent to the Senate, would benefit Penn National Gaming Inc., which wants to move the two racetracks it owns in the state to capitalize on a decision one week ago by Gov. John Kasich to legalize slot machines at racetracks. The legislation would also allow racetrack owners to build temporary casinos at the sites of the relocated tracks.

ELMONT, N.Y. − At one time, trainer Mike Hushion thought Ava K. could be the type of filly who could stretch out in distance. But after two third-place finishes at one mile, Hushion has decided to keep Ava K. sprinting.

The purse for the 2013 All American Futurity for 2-year-old Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs, N.M., is projected to reach a record $2.6 million, and will be worth $1.3 million to the winner, according to a statement released by Ruidoso Downs on Friday.

The All American Futurity purse is projected to be $2.4 million on Labor Day this year and in 2012, making it the richest race for juveniles of any breed in North America.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Some degree of normalcy returned to the Churchill Downs backstretch Friday morning after a Wednesday evening tornado ripped through portions of the backside, forcing the cancellation of training and racing Thursday.

The main track, having been cleared of debris from the storm, reopened, and the morning scene for training appeared as it would on most any day, with a few notable exceptions.

OCEANPORT, N.J. − A win by D’wild Ride in the $75,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes for filly and mare sprinters Sunday at Monmouth Park would be a get-well card for trainer Joe Orseno after his recent back surgery.

Orseno was moving about remarkably well Friday morning, only two weeks after undergoing a procedure to repair a herniated disc that impinged a nerve.

“They said the nerve was a little angry, but it will come back,” Orseno said.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Apprentice jockey Ryan Curatolo will be out four to six weeks because of a fractured left clavicle suffered in a spill Friday at Belmont Park.

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – Separate Fire’s undefeated record ended after three races with a troubled third as a 1-20 favorite in a division of the Ed Burke Million Futurity trials at Los Alamitos on June 12.

Her final time of 17.50 seconds in that race was quick enough to earn a berth in Sunday’s $1,126,000 final over 350 yards at Los Alamitos, and temporarily keep another winning streak intact. A win in the Grade 1 Ed Burke would give Separate Fire a sweep of the two major early-season futurities, seven weeks after she won the Kindergarten Futurity on May 8.

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – Separate Fire’s undefeated record ended after three races with a troubled third as a 1-20 favorite in a division of the Ed Burke Million Futurity trials at Los Alamitos on June 12.

Her final time of 17.50 seconds in that race was quick enough to earn a berth in Sunday’s $1,126,000 final over 350 yards at Los Alamitos, and temporarily keep another winning streak intact. A win in the Grade 1 Ed Burke would give Separate Fire a sweep of the two major early-season futurities, seven weeks after she won the Kindergarten Futurity on May 8.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The leading turf fillies Cozi Rosie and Malibu Pier had alibis when they performed below expectations in the Grade 1 Gamely Handicap last month at Hollywood Park.

Cozi Rosie finished third as the favorite; Malibu Pier was a dull fifth as second choice. They meet again Sunday in the Grade 3 Beverly Hills Handicap at Hollywood Park, a 1 1/14-mile turf race with ramifications that exceed the $100,000 purse.

“This is a pivotal race,” Malibu Pier’s trainer, Carla Gaines, admits. “We’re using this as a stepping-stone to get her back.”

Don’twaitforme is one work away from making his first start of the year, according to trainer Rob VanOverschot. The last time Don’twaitforme ran, he was an impressive winner over Cherokee Notion in the Richmond Derby Trial on Sept. 6. He would have been the favorite for the Grade 3, $200,000 British Columbia Derby, but he didn’t make the race.