OCEANPORT, N.J. - Jose Velez Jr. got his 3,000th career victory Thursday at Monmouth Park aboard Careless Glances in the eighth race.

"It's an accomplishment in my career," Velez said. "I don't know how far I can go. I think I've got a good five years in me."

Velez was swarmed by fellow jockeys for a celebration and commemorative photo in the winner's circle.

Velez, 43, started riding at Atlantic City Race Course in 1980 and won his first race that year at the Meadowlands.

"It doesn't feel like such a long time, but it is," Velez said.

Candy Ball, who has won her last four starts, and Carolina Sky, who has won her last two, are both undefeated on turf and will both be stepping up in class Saturday for the $50,000 Old South Handicap at Louisiana Downs.

Run at about 1 1/16 miles, the Old South is for fillies and mares on the turf.

Candy Ball punctuated her win streak with a victory in the $40,000 Fresa, an overnight stakes at Lone Star Park on July 15. Leading up to that race, she won a first-level allowance and two optional claiming races at Lone Star and Louisiana Downs.

Tricky's Tick Tock goes for his first stakes win when he heads a field of nine, including two entries, in the $60,000-added Iowa Stallion Futurity at Prairie Meadows.

Trained by Larry Jones, Tricky's Tick Tock has not raced since he scored a gate-to-wire 4 1/4-length victory against maiden special weight company in his debut June 12 at Delaware Park. He earned a 65 Beyer Speed Figure, which tops the Futurity field.

On a day when he is scheduled to be inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame, trainer David Van Winkle can be forgiven if he doesn't keep his mind on the proceedings. Later that day, Van Winkle will saddle probable favorite Katy Smiles in the $40,000 Dean Kutz Stakes at Canterbury Park.

Saturday Deelites should benefit from the added distance he picks up in the $65,000 Retama Park Breeders' Cup Turf Handicap at Retama Park.

A 1 1/16-mile race, the Retama BC is the first stakes race of the meet, and the purse for this year's running was boosted from $50,000. Nine older horses will compete, including Goosey Moose and defending champ A R Crackers.

There are several angles to consider when a field of seven older Nebraska-breds line up for the $17,500-added Amadevil Stakes at Columbus.

When the 3-year-old Sarah Jane made her turf debut in the Tomboy Stakes at River Downs on May 20, many bettors concluded she would show marked improvement, being that she is a daughter of turf champion Northern Spur out of a Lear Fan mare. What they could not foresee was Sarah Jane's hard-fought victory being overturned after she bore into Luvaprivate, who was elevated to first

Six of the nine 3-year-olds entered in Saturday's $75,000 Nick Shuk Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park already have won on turf. Their best Beyer Speed Figures fall in a narrow range between 82 and 89.

Given those facts, it seems tough to take the 8-5 morning-line odds being offered on favored Diabolical.

Barring dramatic improvement, Fantastic Shirl and Precious Kitten will not the match the accomplishments of some of their family members. Not that there is any fault in that - are half-sisters to Grade 1 turf winners Shakespeare and Kitten's Joy, respectively.

The goals for each are more modest - winning a stakes race. Saturday they have such an opportunity, racing in the $50,000 Audubon Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Ellis Park.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Trainer John Martin claimed Me My Mine for longtime client Richard Englander on June 8 with one goal in mind: run in the Claiming Crown Jewel at Canterbury Park.

The plan worked perfectly. Me My Mine won by a nose at Bay Meadows the day he was claimed for $40,000 and won by a head in the $138,000 Claiming Crown Jewel five weeks later.

seems perfectly spotted in a $62,500 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on the turf that tops the Saturday Bay Meadows Fair card.