ARCADIA, Calif. - After several dry days, racing resumed at Santa Anita on Thursday on its embattled Cushion Track surface, but track management, which has brought in a synthetic-track expert from Australia, postponed a decision on how to proceed for the rest of the meet.

The dry weather, which is expected to last until at least the middle of next week, has allowed Santa Anita management several more days to decide whether to race on Cushion Track for the rest of the meet or replace it with a dirt or sand surface. The meet ends April 20.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Ron McAnally admits that Izarra will have trouble beating Indian Blessing in Sunday's $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita.

In his opinion, the seven-furlong distance of the Grade 2 Santa Ynez for 3-year-old fillies suits the speedy Indian Blessing more than it does Izarra, a closer. McAnally predicted such in a recent conversation with Bob Baffert, who trains Indian Blessing.

"I told Baffert he could have this one, and we'll take the Oaks," McAnally said, laughing.

After several days without rain, racing resumed Thursday at Santa Anita on its Cushion Track surface for the first time since last Friday.

Santa Anita is considering replacing the Cushion Track with a dirt surface for the remainder of the meeting, but on Thursday track president Ron Charles said no decision had been made on whether there would be a change in racing surface.

"We just need more time," Charles said.

If it seems like Steve Asmussen is winning all the stakes races at Fair Grounds, well, perception in this case is not far from reality.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Track president Ron Charles confirmed on Wednesday that Santa Anita officials are strongly considering replacing the Cushion Track synthetic surface with a dirt course for the remainder of the meeting, which runs through April 20.

"We are considering a dirt surface to get us through this meeting," he said after meeting with approximately 85 owners and trainers to discuss methods of repairing the synthetic main track. "We've been looking into it for a number of days."

Aqueduct will be open for simulcasting on its two dark days, Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning next week, track officials announced on Wednesday.

Admission and parking will be free.

The "Sunshine Simulcasts,'' as they are being called, will be centered on Aqueduct's second floor clubhouse Lexington and Man o' War teletheaters. On Mondays, Aqueduct will be open for simulcasting from 11:30 a.m. to approximately 7 p.m.

On Tuesdays, Aqueduct will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Horses rarely work half-miles in 45.60 seconds anywhere in the country, let alone at Calder Race Course where a half-mile drill in under 48 seconds usually earns a bullet. But Rgirldoesn'tbluff did exactly that over her home base at Calder on Tuesday morning in preparation for Sunday's Grade 3 First Lady Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

"It was an outstanding work and, best of all, she did it all on her own," said Kirk Ziadie, who trains Rgirldoesn'tbluff for his principal client, Richard Averill.

STICKNEY, Ill. - Sovereign Sigh might be making his first career start in the ninth race on Friday at Hawthorne, but the horse has seen plenty of this world. That's because Sovereign Sigh makes his racing debut days after reaching the crusty age of 10.

If Sovereign Sigh somehow should step up and win, could he be labeled precocious?

ARCADIA, Calif. - Wind's Legacy, the promising 3-year-old who won twice at the Hollywood Park fall meeting, will miss Saturday's $150,000 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita because of a sore shin, trainer Jennie Green said on Wednesday.

The Grade 3, one-mile San Rafael is the first major stakes for 3-year-olds at the winter-spring meeting.

Green said that Wind's Legacy's problem was detected after the colt worked six furlongs in 1:11.60 at Santa Anita on Dec. 29, the fastest of 25 recorded works at the distance.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Her wide, bright smile and shy personality belie that of a fiercely competitive athlete. But make no mistake, in a set of silks and on the back of a horse, apprentice Carol Cedeno is more than holding her own in one of the toughest jockey colonies in North America.

With 9 wins from 72 mounts through Wednesday, Cedeno has cracked the top 10 in the standings of Aqueduct's deep winter colony, one that has not been as much a haven for apprentice riders as in years past.