INGLEWOOD, Calif. – There was plenty of debate after the Del Mar Derby, owing to the antics of Twirling Candy and the decision by the stewards to leave him in first after a severe bumping incident five furlongs from the wire. Lost amid the controversy, though, was something everyone, in hindsight, could agree on, that Twirling Candy finished brilliantly, displaying the talent only the very special possess.

Simple Words, who has posted back-to-back triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures since arriving at Monmouth Park from Kentucky, steps up to face stakes company for the first time in the $75,000 Princeton Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

After going 0 for 3 at Churchill Downs, Simple Words was sent to Monmouth in mid-July by trainer Steve Asmussen and soared to a 100 Beyer while cruising to a 9 3/4-length victory over maidens. She proved that was no fluke when she came back five weeks later to clear her first allowance condition, this time earning a 102 Beyer.

In the first two starts of her career, the 2-year-old filly Ima Wild Pussycat was anything but impressive, beaten a combined 21 lengths while earning mediocre Beyer Speed Figures of 31 and 49.

A dramatic change occurred when trainer Greg Sacco stretched out Ima Wild Pussycat around two turns, however. She romped by 7 1/4 lengths and soared to a 75 Beyer.

Ima Wild Pussycat will try and build upon that success and capitalize on her experience in a route when she faces six other 2-year-old fillies in Saturday’s $75,000 Blue Hen Stakes at Delaware Park.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Given her affinity for Saratoga, preference for two turns, and penchant for distance, Persistently is likely to be overlooked when she returns to Belmont Park for Saturday’s Grade 1 $350,000 Beldame Invitational run at 1 1/8 miles around one turn.

ELMONT, N.Y. – The Flower Bowl is traditionally a spot for a European-based filly or mare to come to North America and strut her stuff. This year’s lone overseas representative didn’t come from Europe, but rather Japan.

The prevailing feeling is if Red Desire can duplicate some of her races in Japan or Dubai, she could be very tough to beat in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park.

FORT ERIE, Ontario – A new wrinkle for the final month of the Fort Erie meet is Quarter Horse racing on Saturdays.

Saturday’s eight-race Quarter Horse card is highlighted by a 250-yard stakes which offers a purse of $35,000.

The final weekend in October will match Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds against each other in two stakes races with purses of $50,000.

Eric Johnston, the Fort’s racing secretary for the Quarter Horse session, says that there are a number of differences in the way races are conducted for the two breeds.

First Down Illusion, who won the Ed Burke Million Futurity in June, is the only 2-year-old at Los Alamitos eligible for a $1 million bonus if he sweeps the track’s three leading futurities this year. He’s being asked to do a little more than that this fall.

Saturday, First Down Illusion starts in the final of the $426,000 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Futurity over 350 yards, just two weeks before the trials of the Golden State Million, the second race in the bonus series. The third race of the series, the Los Alamitos Two Million, is in December.

ANDERSON, Ind. – Speed cancels out speed . . . doesn’t it? Not always, of course, although trainer Dallas Stewart is hoping a potential duel between Always a Princess and Ash Zee could help his filly, Seeking the Title, rally to victory Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Indiana Oaks at Hoosier Park.

Stolis Winner will have to defeat a field that includes two of the nation’s top older horses in Saturday night’s $100,000 Refrigerator Handicap at Lone Star Park in order to become Quarter Horse racing’s all-time leading earner.

Jess You and I and Swingin’ Daddyo are the chief threats in the Grade 1 race that also offers its winner a berth into the $750,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos in December.

Mr. Shadar will be a clear-cut favorite to win the colts and geldings division of the Three and Four Year Old Sales Stakes at Northlands Park Saturday. The fillies division is a bit more muddied, with Shifty Time trying to rebound from a surprising defeat in the Alberta Oaks. Both races are worth $50,000 and will be contested over one mile.