INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Saturday's Hollywood Gold Cup has drawn a field of five, but it is not indicative of the depth of the handicap division in California. There are several more top-class handicap horses that are waiting for stakes at the Del Mar meeting or sidelined with minor injuries.

The Gold Cup field does not include Surf Cat or Dixie Meister, the winner of the two major Gold Cup preps at this meeting. Surf Cat has not started since winning the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap on May 13. He has been fighting a bruised foot and is likely out until the fall, trainer Bruce Headley said.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - An otherwise quiet program at Hollywood Park on Friday night could play an influential role in the jockey and trainer titles at the spring-summer meeting.

The eight-race card comprises only claimers - no maiden special weight races, allowance races, or stakes. But for the jockeys and trainers trying to win titles, a victory or two on Friday could go a long way to determine the titleholders.

Both races are tight, and figure to stay that way through the end of the season on July 16.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The usual suspects appear to hold the strongest hands in a pair of 2-year-old graded stakes to be run Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Todd Pletcher has two contenders for both the $150,000 Bashford Manor Stakes and $100,000 Debutante Stakes, while Steve Asmussen has a strong contender for each race. In all, eight or nine colts and geldings are expected for the Grade 2 Bashford Manor, while a similar number of fillies appear likely for the Grade 3 Debutante. Entries were to be drawn Thursday.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Trainer Bret Calhoun came within a head of sweeping both stakes last Saturday at Lone Star Park, when His Eyes captured the $100,000 Alysheba Breeders' Cup and Sweet Idea finished second in a photo in the $60,000 Lone Star Oaks.

His Eyes is on top of his game right now. He cruised to a 3 1/2-length front-running victory and earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure in the Alysheba. One start earlier, His Eyes won a one-mile allowance by 8 1/2 lengths and earned a career-best Beyer of 92.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Arlington Park commits vast energies and resources trying to dent the Chicago media market, but coverage has fallen drastically. Finally, the track has gotten some attention, but for all the wrong reasons.

Two races into his career, E Z Warrior is showing the versatility of an older horse.

The 2-year-old E Z Warrior, a son of Exploit, led throughout a maiden race on June 18. Tuesday, he rallied from fifth to win his stakes debut in the $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship at Hollywood Park.

Ridden by David Flores, E Z Warrior ran six furlongs in 1:09.96, scoring by 2 3/4 lengths over Great Hunter. Tom Rickey, a 15-1 outsider, finished third in the field of nine.

Winning trainer Bob Baffert said he considered scratching E Z Warrior when the colt drew the rail.

Sky Dreams ($3.80), part of a three-horse entry for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, overcame trouble down the backstretch and rallied through the stretch to win the $51,050 Alameda County Fillies and Mares Handicap at the Alameda County Fair.

Bella Shambrock ($5.60) set the pace, turned back a bid from Sequoia King on the turn, and went on to score a 1 3/4-length victory in the $50,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Tim Doocy rode Bella Shambrock, who clocked the five furlongs in 58.20 seconds. Sequoia King easily bested the rest, finishing 6 3/4 lengths clear of the even-money favorite Bring Forth, who tired to finish third after briefly challenging on the turn.

Todd Pletcher trains Bella Shambrock, who scored his first stakes victory and his second win from four starts.

Outcashem had to face only two outclassed opponents in the $100,000 Charles Town Dash Invitational Handicap following three scratches, including his own stablemate.

Carrying 129 pounds, Outcashem ($2.20) ran fast enough to set a track record for 4 1/2 furlongs, cruising to an 8 3/4-length victory with jockey Travis Dunkelberger aboard for trainer Scott Lake.

The 5-year-old Outcashem, who has now won six straight, covered the distance in 50.20 seconds, eclipsing the record of 50.36 set exactly seven years earlier.

Glitter Star lived up to her role as the favorite when she narrowly prevailed over eight rivals to capture the $40,000 Princess Elaine Stakes at Canterbury Park.

The 3-10 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile turf contest for Minnesota-bred fillies and mares, Glitter Star tracked pacesetting Bleu's Apparition before taking the lead at the top of the stretch. Under Dean Butler, Glitter Star withstood a late challenge from Ma Home Cat, holding that rival safe by a neck and stopping the timer in 1:46.33 over firm going. Grand Rapids Miss finished third, another four lengths behind.