They finished in a dead heat in the spring, and as the Keeneland fall meet winds to a conclusion, Julien Leparoux and Rafael Bejarano once again are in a pitched battle for leading-rider honors.

As the final four-day stretch of the meet commences Wednesday with a nine-race card, Leparoux and Bejarano both have 23 wins. They are hoping to secure as many mounts as possible through Saturday, the end of the 17-day meet, but whatever the final result, both are wishing each other well and are saying they thrive on the spirited rivalry that has unfolded.

You could call Shaggy Mane's rise from claimer to stakes winner a Cinderella story.

Since being claimed for $12,500 at Santa Rosa on Aug. 3, she won two straight allowance races, then knocked off northern California sprint queen Vaca City Flyer in the William P. Kyne Breeders' Cup Express at Bay Meadows on Saturday.

Trainer Lloyd Mason said Shaggy Mane was reputedly something of a head case before he claimed her, when she was racing in Southern California. She was sent north and won a bottom-level maiden claimer for $8,000 on July 4 at Pleasanton.

Getting the kind of well-timed ride that is quickly becoming the hallmark of 24-year-old jockey Julien Leparoux, favored Louve Royale was along for a narrow victory Sunday in the $150,000 Dowager Stakes at Keeneland.

After trailing all but one of her nine rivals for much of the 1 1/2-mile trip, Louve Royale circled the field on the final turn before finding the front inside the eighth pole and edging away to a half-length triumph over Bottiglia, a 79-1 shot. Bond Deal, the 4-1 third choice, finished third.

Eibar Coa rode the winner of both stakes races on Sunday, closing day at Belmont Park, and won four races overall to tie for leading rider at the fall meet.

Coa guided Chestoria to a one-length victory over Mystic Soul in the $84,735 Miss Grillo Stakes for juvenile fillies, and three races later piloted Pickapocket to an 1 1/2-length score over Strike a Deal in the $85,925 Pilgrim.

Chestoria, a New York-bred daughter of Chester House trained by Bruce Levine, covered the 1 1/8 miles over yielding turf in 1:50.82. She returned $8.50 to win.

Dilemma won his stakes debut in the $69,420 Sunny Slope Stakes at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting Sunday, rallying along the rail to win by 2 1/4 lengths in the sprint for 2-year-olds.

Dilemma ($5.20), trained by Paddy Gallagher, ran six furlongs in 1:09.69 under jockey Alex Solis. Pacesetter Caped for Flight held second, four lengths in front of Prime Ruler in the field of six.

Wagner's Gold became a stakes winner when she pulled a 20-1 upset in Sunday's $67,200 Permian Basin for 2-year-old fillies at Zia Park. Stormin Brigade finished a length back in second, while it was another 2 1/2 lengths back in third to Costume Girl.

Marianne Rose, the even-money favorite, finished fourth. The winner paid $42.40 and covered six furlongs over a fast track in 1:11.40. Timothy Thorton rode Wagner's Gold for trainer Henry Dominguez.- Mary Rampellini

Hoosier Park: Mr. Mink, easily

Mr. Mink did not disappoint his legion of supporters with a 4 1/4-length win Sunday in the $40,000 Brickyard Stakes at Hoosier Park.

The overwhelming favorite, Mr. Mink ($2.40) broke on top and never relinquished the lead under jockey Tom Pompell. Miss Ashley finished second, one length ahead of Unloosened Bit. Final time for six furlongs over a good track was 1:13.13.

Winzalot ($15.40) relished the yielding turf at the Meadowlands on Saturday, cruising to a three-length win in the $55,000 Great Falls Stakes for 3-year-olds.

Ridden by Jose Lezcano for trainer Alan Goldberg, Winzalot covered five furlongs in 58.20 seconds. Put Back the Shu finished second, two lengths in front of the 3-5 favorite, Wild Rex.- Joe DeVivo

Symphony Sid took the lead from the start in the $100,000 Carleton Burke Handicap at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meeting Saturday and won by 5 1/2 lengths over Artiste Royal, the 4-5 favorite.

Symphony Sid, trained by Mike Mitchell and ridden by Michael Baze, ($12.80) ran 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:24.18 in the Grade 3 Burke.

Bay Meadows: Shaggy Mane dethrones queen

Shaggy Mane ($4.60) was never headed as she scored a 2 1/4-length victory over northern California sprint queen Vaca City Flyer in Saturday's $90,625 William P. Kyne Breeders' Cup Express at Bay Meadows.

Ridden By Luis Martinez for trainer Lloyd Mason, Shagy Mane covered the six furlongs in 1:09.34.