Northern California’s first open filly and mare stakes of the year could be one of the best races run at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., this year. Eight runners entered Saturday’s $50,000 Alameda County Fillies and Mares Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

The field is a who’s who of Northern California females, including Lady Railrider, Victoryasecret, City to City, Sky High Hatty, Bleach Blonde, Sweetly Peppered, and Catch Lorriane. Pure Class ships in from Southern California to complete the field.

Lonesome Street came from last early to circle the field on the far turn and into the stretch and win the $105,000 J. Kenneth Self Shelby County Boys and Girls Club at Indiana Downs Wednesday evening.

Lonesome Street demonstrated a reversal of his usual tactics under Jockey Julien Leparoux. In his first four starts of this season, Lonesome Street led at the first call. Leparoux chose a new plan of attack on Wednesday, taking Lonesome Street back.

Trainer Anita Bolton was confident the 5-year-old Hollywood Hit could come from off the pace, and she proved correct Wednesday evening at Presque Isle Downs.

Hollywood Hit was kept just off very quick fractions in the $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial by jockey James McAleny. When McAleny shook the reins at Hollywood Hit in upper stretch of the 5 1/2-furlong race, the gelding answered and drew clear by two lengths. He was kept to task late and prevailed by 2 1/2 lengths.

Churchill Downs canceled its Thursday racing card and simulcasting after its backstretch and grounds suffered significant damage from a strong storm that passed through Louisville, Ky., at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Tornado warnings were in effect in the Louisville area at the time.

In a statement early Thursday morning, the track reported that there had been damage to nine barns and a number of other structures in the stable area, including living accommodations for some backstretch workers. The track reported no injuries to the 1,400 horses on the grounds or to any backstretch workers.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Taptam, who is the Texas-bred horse of the year for 2010, might take on males next month in the $75,000 Assault at Lone Star. The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up bred in Texas is one of four restricted stakes on the annual Stars of Texas Day card July 9.

“There’s a good chance she’ll be coming back to Texas for the Assault,” said Bret Calhoun, who trains Taptam for Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch.

Bears Home Run is worth a look at what should be a decent price when he runs in a $22,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds and up at Northlands Park on Friday. The one-mile feature drew seven horses, and the main reason for taking a shot with Bears Home Run is the distance.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Gold N Glamore has established herself as one of the top 3-year-old fillies at Lone Star Park with a pair of sharp allowance wins over older rivals, and now she could be headed to New York. Trainer Francisco Bravo said Wednesday that Gold N Glamore is under consideration for the Grade 2, $150,000 Lake George at Saratoga on July 27.

“We’re looking at it pretty seriously,” he said. “We’re looking at our options. We may end up there.”

Trainer Cindy Krasner is hoping it is Wando Woman’s time to shine when she runs in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun for fillies and mares at Hastings on Saturday. Wando Woman was a late bloomer for Krasner as a 3-year-old last year, but once she figured it out, she became one of the top sophomore fillies in Western Canada.

By the end of January, Snitcher was an exhausted Quarter Horse.

He had two minor stakes wins to show for his 2010 campaign at Los Alamitos, but had failed to win a major race. After a dull sixth in a trial for the Los Alamitos Winter Championship on Jan. 29, trainer Adan Farias shipped the gelding to a local farm.

ALTOONA, Iowa – With Friday evening’s emphasis on sprinters, the Iowa Festival of Racing at Prairie Meadows kicks off with a pair of six-furlong stakes, the $125,000 Iowa Sprint Handicap and the $100,000 Saylorville.

The card also includes the $100,000 Iowa Distaff at 1 1/16 miles. The festival will conclude with three more stakes Saturday evening, topped by the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap.