SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Apparently, Mother Nature didn't get the memo.

In what is becoming an unpleasant tradition, rain was a dominant topic on opening day at Saratoga, dampening the enthusiasm of a water-logged crowd here for the start of the 142nd racing season, which has been expanded to 40 days.

The day-long rain forced three of the five scheduled turf races to be run on the main track, and led to a number of scratches. In 2008, rain forced all five turf races to be run on the dirt. Last year, rain forced one turf race to be moved to the dirt.

DEL MAR, Calif. – The horse shortage in California does not apply to 3-year-old fillies on grass at Del Mar.

The proof is the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap on Sunday, a $150,000 mile race that interestingly overshadows the richer, more prestigious Grade 1, $250,000 American Oaks run three weeks ago at Hollywood Park. It’s the same division Sunday, but a better field.

“Is the San Clemente tougher than the American Oaks? Absolutely,” trainer Jim Cassidy said. “It’s twice as tough.”

DEL MAR, Calif. – The Polytrack synthetic surface at Del Mar will undergo renovation this weekend and will be heavily mixed on Monday, in an effort to avoid the circumstances that led to the cancellation of training on Thursday, track superintendent Richard Tedesco said on Friday.

Training was cancelled because of inconsistencies in the surface, primarily the result of separation of the sand and fiber that is part of the Polytrack material. Racing was held as scheduled on Thursday afternoon.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Afleet Express completed his major preparation for a start in next Saturday’s $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes by working seven furlongs in 1:25.60 on Friday morning over Saratoga’s main track.

Breaking off midway around the clubhouse turn under exercise rider Kelvin Pahal, Afleet Express worked an opening quarter in 24.60 seconds and continued through splits of 36.60, 49.45, 1:00.90, and 1:12.60. He galloped out a mile in 1:38.62, according to Daily Racing Form .

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Sweet Ducky lived up to expectations in his debut, winning by five lengths as an even-money favorite. Now he gets to spread his wings in the $100,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

The Tyro is the prep for the meet’s top juvenile event, the Grade 3, $150,000 Sapling Stakes on Sept. 4.

Trainer Kelly Breen sends out Sweet Ducky and Brother in Arms as an uncoupled entry for owners George and Lori Hall.

Following his stylish win, Sweet Ducky figures to be favored in the field of eight.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Tim Ice did pretty well with his only starter during the 2009 Saratoga meet, winning the prestigious Travers with Summer Bird. On Sunday, Ice will send out his first starter of the 2010 session when his undefeated Commonwealth Rush takes on seven other juveniles in the Grade 2, $150,000 Sanford Stakes.

“It’s nice to be back to run again at Saratoga with a colt who I think has a lot of talent,” Ice said. “Obviously, the Travers was a very special race for me and probably the highlight of a very good summer last year.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – An explanation of all stewards’ decisions regarding the official order of finish in races run at all three New York Racing Association racetracks will be made available to the public beginning with Friday’s opening day program at Saratoga.

FORT ERIE, Ontario – The Daryl Wells Sr. Memorial and the Ernie Samuel Memorial, a pair of $50,000 stakes at five furlongs on the turf, will be run immediately before and after the Prince of Wales Stakes here Sunday.

The Wells, for 3-year-olds and upward, and the Samuel, for fillies and mares, are for Canadian-breds. Both races attracted fields of seven.

The top speed horses in the Wells are Marco Be Good, a winner of $545,041, with half of that sum earned on the turf, and Drunken Love, a winner of $471,701.

All-sources average handle for Colonial Downs during the track’s recently concluded 40-day meet rose 13.2 percent over last year’s totals, when the track’s signal was blacked out on a number of large account-wagering operations.

DEL MAR, Calif. – An interrupted preparation has left trainer and co-owner Bill Morey concerned that Bold Chieftain will not be at his best for Sunday’s $100,000 California Dreamin’ Handicap at Del Mar.

If Bold Chieftain runs a disappointing race, he will be retired, Morey said.

“We had a couple of little minor setbacks into this race,” he said. “He hasn’t worked in 10 days. Usually, he’d have a different schedule. We’re doing the best we can to get him to this race.”