MIAMI - Presious Passion combined his speed with his affinity for the Calder turf course to successfully defend his title in the $150,000 McKnight Handicap, leading throughout to register a two-length decision over Logic Way in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 2 event.

Trainer Richard Jackson said this week that he had considered running Superior Storm in the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint, but in the end, Jackson chose the Champions Day Ladies, a route race. Trainer Eric Heitzmann went more than a step farther with his Louisiana-bred, Autobeacat, entering him in three spots Saturday before eventually choosing the $150,000 Classic over the Turf and the Starter.

Good calls, gentlemen.

Canela rallied from off the pace to run down Timeless Fashion to capture the $50,000 Prairie Bayou Stakes at Turfway Park.

Giving jockey Victor Lebron his third winner on the card, Canela ($12) rebounded from a last-place finish in the River City Handicap by taking the Prairie Bayou by three-quarters of a length. Timeless Fashion, who overtook front-running and eventual third-place finisher Omaggio leaving the eighth pole, was a game second, while Extreme Supreme, the 7-5 favorite, made a mild bid on the far turn before fading to fifth.

Broadway Producer, previously winless in five starts on fast dirt, took a liking to the main track at Laurel Park when he drew away from 3-2 favorite P V Lightening to win the $50,000 Jennings Handicap.

Based in New York with trainer John Terranova, the 5-year-old Broadway Producer ($5.20) had shipped to Maryland two months ago to win the Maryland Million Turf.

Game N Laughin' vied for the lead from the start, gained a short advantage in the drive, then just held off a furious late charge from Jazzy to post a stunning $61.40 upset in the $65,000 Lightning City Stakes as Tampa Bay Downs kicked off its live racing season before 5,471 fans.

Summer's Empire won for the third straight time, taking the $110,075 Jim Edgar Futurity by three-quarters of a length on Saturday at dark, windy Hawthorne Race Course.

Winless coming into this meet, Summer's Empire left the maiden ranks in October, cleared his entry-level allowance condition at first asking in November, and ground out a victory in the Edgar, a two-turn race for Illinois-bred 2-year-olds. The colt remained unbeaten in both dirt and route races.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - This time of year usually brings a horde of out-of-towners to New York. For trainer Jeff Runco, it was a reason not the season that brought him and his streaking gelding Researcher to Aqueduct from West Virginia.

The reason was the Grade 3, $108,400 Queens County Handicap, a race Researcher won by a half-length over stubborn pacesetter Brilliant Son. It was 5 1/2 lengths back to Dry Martini, the favorite, in third. Sir Whimsey and Temporary Saint completed the order of finish.

MIAMI - It took Herboriste nearly 10 months to earn her first victory in 2008. It took her less than eight weeks more to become a graded stakes winner after she outfinished 2-1 favorite J'ray following a pulsating stretch battle to post a head decision in Saturday's Grade 2 La Prevoyante Stakes at Calder.

The $150,000 La Prevoyante was one of four graded stakes on the Grand Slam card.

Chickster jumped out to the lead in Friday's fourth race at Turf Paradise and coasted home a 3 1/2-length victor, giving the 7-year-old gelding 11 victories for the 2008 season, which may bring him honors as the nation's winningest Thoroughbred of the year.

Sent off the 3-5 favorite in the six-furlong event for $4,000 claimers, Chickster cruised home in 1:08.67, beating Preachintothechoir, with Walter third in the field of seven. From the barn of leading trainer Justin Evans, Chickster notched his 20th win in 44 career starts. He paid $3.20.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - On most racing days, trainer Bill Spawr can be found on a rail near the paddock, making notes in his program on the condition of horses as they head to the racetrack. Spawr, a trainer with a large number of claimers in his stable, has not had much opportunity to put the information to use of late.

Along with numerous other trainers in Southern California, Spawr has cut back on the number of horses he has claimed. From his perspective, owners have not expressed the same enthusiasm for acquiring race-ready horses as they have in past seasons.