HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The $150,000 Richter Scale was switched from a handicap to a stakes for the first time this season, but one thing that hasn't changed since last winter is the size of the starting lineup for the Grade 2 dash.

As was the case in 2008, when the imposing presence of Commentator limited the field to just six runners, only six horses passed the entry box when entries were drawn early Wednesday afternoon for Saturday's seven-furlong Richter Scale.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - As 3-year-olds, New York-breds Haynesfield and Mr. Fantasy have received the bulk of the attention around these parts this winter. But there is another New York-bred who has distinguished himself quite well around here too.

Turfway Park in northern Kentucky has had two catastrophic breakdowns since Jan. 1, track officials said on Wednesday, a sharp reversal of the figures in December, when eight horses died because of injuries at the track.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Square Eddie's shin injury may keep him off the Kentucky Derby trail.

Runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last October, Square Eddie has not trained for a week since being diagnosed with a sore shin. A recent X-ray showed a microfracture in the shin, trainer Doug O'Neill said. Another set of X-rays will be taken later this month to check on the leg's condition.

If improvement is evident, O'Neill hopes that Square Eddie can resume training. He admits that may be impossible.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. Live racing makes its return to Nebraska on Friday as Fonner Park opens for its 56th season with a 35-day meet that runs through Kentucky Derby Day, May 2.

The season is highlighted by the $75,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for older horses. The meet s showcase event is slated for its 50th running this year on April 25.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Rachel Alexandra, a top candidate for the Kentucky Oaks, is set to make her 3-year-old debut this weekend after breezing a half-mile in 49.80 seconds Wednesday morning at Oaklawn Park. She is scheduled to run Sunday in the $50,000 Martha Washington, a one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies that serves as the local stepping-stone to the Grade 2, $250,000 Fantasy on April 5.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. Old Fashioned, a leading candidate for the Kentucky Derby, completed his preparations for Monday s Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park early Wednesday morning, when he breezed a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.40. He could have at least nine rivals in the one-mile race that serves as the first of two local preps for the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Churchill Downs kept hearing from horseplayers that the Kentucky Derby Future Wager was growing stale. Now, beginning with the second of three Future Wager pools next month, Churchill will be offering an exacta to spice things up.

After much early-season fanfare, Pyro failed to distinguish himself in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, finishing a distant eighth. But maybe his sister, War Echo, can do better in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Although one of his top Kentucky Derby prospects, Danger to Society, was transferred to trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.'s barn last week, leading trainer Ken McPeek has no shortage of talented 3-year-olds left to fill the void. Among them are the undefeated Free Country and the improving Theregoesjojo.