Just a couple of months ago, racing fans might have been targeting Sept. 7, 2009 as a day to live in infamy. Ron Geary, the owner of Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., announced on June 23 that he intended to close the 87-year-old track after the 2009 meet ended because of insurmountable financial obstacles.

But as a reshuffled Ellis meet neared its conclusion Monday, there is no clear sense of impending doom. Geary said he and his staff have been working long hours, "considering about 15 different scenarios and all the what-ifs."

DEL MAR, Calif. - Chalula One has generated little hype through the first eight starts of her career, which includes three wins and placings in two stakes. That soon could change.

When she starts in Sunday's $100,000 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar, Chalula One will be after her first stakes win over a track and distance at which she has already excelled.

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird has been galloping on a regular basis since returning to the Ruidoso Downs base of his trainer, Chip Woolley, and could work Sunday or Monday. Woolley on Friday was debating when he will breeze the horse, who is being pointed to the Grade 1, $350,000 Goodwood at Santa Anita on Oct. 10.

An afterthought by many entering last month's West Virginia Derby, Soul Warrior now becomes a central focus to Monday's Grade 2, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park.

Soul Warrior drew post 6 in a field of nine 3-year-olds entered Friday for Monday's Pennsylvania Derby at 1 1/8 miles. The Pennsylvania Derby will go as race 10 on an 11-race card that begins at noon. The card also includes the $250,000 Turf Monster Handicap at five furlongs.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The Woodbine Mile nominations were released Friday, and a total of 23 horses are listed for the Grade 1, $1 million turf race for 3-year-olds and up on Sept. 20.

The probable shippers from south of the border include Ventura, the filly who finished second in last year's Woodbine Mile; Bribon, who prepped with an impressive score in a $100,000 claiming/classified allowance over one mile of turf at Saratoga on Aug. 9; and Ferneley, winner of last Saturday's Grade 2 Del Mar Mile.

Jockey Miguel Mena was taken off all mounts Friday at Ellis Park because of alcohol-related issues but has been allowed to ride the final three days of the meet at the Henderson, Ky., track, pending an appearance Tuesday before a licensing review panel of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in Lexington, Ky.

DEL MAR, Calif.-Queen Ofthe Catsle ended a two-race losing streak and successfully defended her title in Thursday's $88,620 Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Queen Ofthe Catsle ($7.60) outfinished 6-5 favorite Reba Is Tops to win the five-furlong turf race by a nose. Queen Ofthe Catsle was timed in 55.33 seconds. Royal Taat finished third in the field of five fillies and mares.

Queen Ofthe Catsle stalked pacesetter Cape of Bradford through early fractions of 22.17 and 44.17 seconds and reached contention with a three-wide rally in early stretch.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - There is a pick-six carryover of $656,442 heading into Friday's card at Saratoga after the wager went unhit for a third consecutive day. Friday began with a $209,378 carryover and an additional $805,539 was wagered into the pool.

First post Friday is 2:30 p.m. Eastern and the pick six starts with race 4, which goes off at 4:09 p.m. With beautiful weather forecast, conditions should be fast and firm for Friday. The final five races of the day are on the turf.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Josie Carroll, still fending off daily questions concerning her next move with Careless Jewel, will attempt to introduce a new topic of discussion when she runs 4-year-old fillies Foxy Danseur and Authenicat in Saturday's Grade 3 Seaway Stakes at Woodbine.

Both Foxy Danseur and Authenicat will be seeking their first graded stakes score in the $150,000 Seaway, a seven-furlong race for fillies and mares.

Foxy Danseur, purchased privately in California by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, has been here with Carroll for about five weeks.

DEL MAR, Calif. - There were times on Thursday morning when the 2-year-old colt Make Music for Me walked politely next to trainer Alexis Barba around the toe ring on the Del Mar backstretch. There were other times when the colt wanted to jump around playfully.

The latter behavior more closely resembled Barba's mood in advance of Make Music for Me's start in Monday's $300,000 Del Mar Futurity.

"I'm pretty excited," she said. "I've got to stay normal."