Battle of Hastings has won graded stakes in California, Virginia, and Kentucky, and now the 5-year-old gelding is looking to add Florida to the list.

Fresh from capturing the Grade 3 River City Handicap on Breeders’ Cup weekend at Churchill Downs in his first try for trainer Greg Fox, Battle of Hastings will run Sunday at Gulfstream in the Grade 3, $100,000 Fort Lauderdale Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Hawthorne Race Course’s 2010 fall-winter race meet ended Friday with a 7.8-percent gain in all-sources average daily handle compared to the 2009 meet. This year’s gain wiped out last year’s loss, when average daily handle dropped 7 percent. Ontrack handle on the live product continued its inexorable decline: Betting on that front was down 3.8 percent and has dropped more than 22 percent since 2007.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Already flush with many of the best 3-year-olds in training, south Florida will be getting another one relatively soon in Crossbow, who won a six-furlong maiden race at Aqueduct on Sunday by three lengths.

After getting hard-used in a ridiculous speed duel when finishing third in his debut on Nov. 27, Crossbow contested more manageable fractions on Sunday, drawing away from the well-meant first-time starter The Fed Eased.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – The seal is broken. Hardly anyone would be surprised to see Kentucky Derby winners start coming in clumps for Todd Pletcher now that he has finally won one. The breakthrough win by Super Saver in the 2010 Derby means some of the pressure has been taken off, Pletcher said.

“You can take a deep breath and let it happen,” he said.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Pushing the traditional opener back two days, until Jan. 5, won’t be the only change awaiting horseplayers when the 2011 Gulfstream Park meeting gets underway on Wednesday.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – As strong and deep as the South Florida contingent of 3-year-old colts is this year, their filly counterparts are right there with them.

Not only are the first four finishers in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – Awesome Feather, R Heat Lightning, Delightful Mary, Believe in A.P. – being readied for campaigns in south Florida this winter, but several other accomplished fillies, most notably Dancinginherdreams and Kathmanblu, also are here.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trip handicappers figure to be all over Indian Blossom when she faces five rivals in Wednesday’s first-level allowance feature at Aqueduct, run at a mile and 70 yards over the inner track.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse sent out Delightful Mary to finish third in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. And she wasn’t even the best 2-year-old filly in his barn last season.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Gulfstream Park turf course was open for training for the first time this winter and attracted a small but select group that included First Dude and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Tapitsfly.

First Dude, stepping foot on the turf for the first time in his career, worked five furlongs in 1:01.88 under jockey Kent Desormeaux. He was in turn followed by Tapitsfly, who breezed an easy and impressive looking six furlongs in 1:13.18. Tapitsfly has not started since winning the 2009 BC Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.

Portland Meadows has cancelled live racing for both Monday and Tuesday due to freezing temperatures in the Portland area. Live racing is expected to resume on Wednesday, with a special post time of 12:20 p.m.

Portland Meadows will remain open for simulcast wagering on both Monday and Tuesday.