INGLEWOOD, Calif. - In the last decade, trainer Julio Canani has used the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile as an almost annual springtime payday. He won the 1999 and 2000 runnings with Silic and the 2002 race with Ladies Din. Canani was second in 2003 with Special Ring and again in 2006 with Charmo.

"I've run in it a few times," Canani said, with a laugh.

Silic and Ladies Din were top class turf milers. Canani may have another such horse to unveil for Monday's Shoemaker in Hyperbaric, a lightly raced 5-year-old gelding.

Private Dreams took command at the start and widened her lead at every pole to score a commanding 5 3/4-length victory in the $50,000 Hastings Park Handicap at Emerald Downs.

Sent off as the third choice in a field of eight older fillies and mares, Private Dreams, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, paid $10.80 to win after covering six furlongs in a stakes-record 1:08.60 under rider Leslie Mawing. Beaulena, the longest shot on the board at 39-1, edged 3-2 favorite Reba Is Tops for second.

Misty Ocean ($5.40), a bit rank while opening a big lead early, turned back a challenge from favored Royale Action approaching the quarter pole and scored a decisive victory in the $75,000 Golden Poppy Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

Stepping up off a May 2 allowance turf victory at Bay Meadows, Misty Ocean quickly made the lead from the rail in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies. Jockey Frank Alvarado let her go early, allowing her to relax naturally after opening a four-length lead through the opening half-mile.

Verdana Bold set sail on a clear lead and held off even-money favorite Grace and Power in the final strides to take the Grade 3, $259,300 Selene Stakes at Woodbine.

Verdana Bold set fractions of 24.04 seconds and 47.26 in the 1 1/16-mile race, and she opened up a four-length lead on the far turn, through three-quarters in 1:10.68. Maryland shipper Grace and Power commenced an inside rally exiting the far turn and came up a head short of the winner.

Them There Eyes, who had one horse beaten turning for home, uncorked a furious stretch kick under Jose Espinoza that carried her past the field en route to a three-length victory in the $111,400 Mount Vernon Handicap for New York-breds at Belmont Park.

Factual Contender, who had the lead turning for home, finished second by 2 1/4 lengths over Rewrite.

Two Step Salsa won his first stakes in Sunday's $107,200 Laz Barrera Stakes at Hollywood Park in relatively easy fashion, setting a modest pace and pulling away through the stretch.

Breaking from the rail in a field of six 3-year-olds, Two Step Salsa led through early fractions of 22.60 and 44.66 seconds under jockey Martin Pedroza. Two Step Salsa led by a half-length on the turn and won by three over Afleet Ruler.

Pedroza said that Two Step Salsa collided with Rapidity, who broke from post 2, leaving the gate, but that Two Step Salsa recovered quickly.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The 1 1/16-mile distance was the big question mark for Verdana Bold entering Sunday's Grade 3, $259,300 Selene Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

And while the wire came none too soon for jockey Emile Ramsammy and trainer Danny Vella, Verdana Bold held on to prevail by a head for her second consecutive stakes victory.

"It wasn't really what we were looking for, in the way she ran," Vella said. "The middle fractions we're a little quick.

"But she's got no quit in her. She's a lovely filly."

ELMONT, N.Y. - The CNN satellite truck parked alongside the main track Monday morning was the first sign. The hordes of television cameramen and still photographers who showed up here in the afternoon was the second.

This Belmont Stakes could get crazy.

Kentucky-based Reigning Court ($6.20) improved his record to 3 for 3 shipping into Mountaineer Racetrack with a wire-to-wire victory in Saturday night's $75,000 Waterford Park Handicap.

Ridden by Mary Doser for trainer Scott Sowle, the 5-year-old Reigning Court scored by 3 1/4 lengths, completing the six furlongs over a muddy track in 1:11.62. He has now won 9 of 27 lifetime and $334,625.

Bernie Blue, the 3-5 favorite in a field of six older sprinters, nosed out 19-1 longshot Nakayama Arashi for second.

Banker's D Light, the longest price among eight Minnesota-breds at 24-1, upset the $50,000 10,000 Lakes Stakes at Canterbury Park on Saturday.

Racing near the pace from the outset while along the rail, Banker's D Light ($50.20), ridden by Anne Van Rosen for trainer Phil Hartman, challenged for the lead entering the turn, opened up a 3 1/2-length lead margin, then held well to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths while completing the six furlongs in 1:12.49. Trickyville Dew finished second, a half-length in front of Bee O Bee Bob.