ETOBICOKE, Ontario - On the second Sunday in June last year, trainer Reade Baker was sending out half of the field of 10 for the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.

Gold Strike won that day for Baker, whose other starters were fourth-place finisher Whiskey and Low, fifth-place finisher Bosskiri, seventh-place finisher Pirouetting, and ninth-place finisher River Nore.

Baker had an even higher percentage of starters in the 2004 Woodbine Oaks, with Touchnow finishing second, and Hong Kong Dancer and Silver Bird finishing fourth and fifth in the five-horse field.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - After finishing a close second in two starts at this level, Wild to Go looks to score his first win locally in Friday's feature at Assiniboia Downs, a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs.

Kirkaldy, who carries a three-race win streak dating back to Aug. 8, should provide the toughest competition for Wild to Go. Kirkaldy defeated $8,000 claimers in his first start of the year on May 28.

ELMONT, N.Y. - As consistent as he has been throughout his career, Gold and Roses seems to be at his absolute best in races at one mile.

A perfect 4 for 4 at that distance, will have to deliver another flawless performance if he is to win Thursday's $65,000 Ormsby Stakes for New York-bred males at one mile at Belmont Park.

ELMONT, N.Y. - After an unscheduled 15-day vacation, trainer Tom Albertrani was back at work Tuesday, overseeing the final preparations of Deputy Glitters for Saturday's $1 million .

Albertrani, who on May 20 won the Preakness with Bernardini, was forced to serve a 15-day suspension from May 22 through Monday after one of his horses tested positive for the banned tranquilizer acepromazine on April 1. Albertrani spent three days in the Bahamas with his wife, Fonda, and their daughters, Teal and Noelle.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Merv Griffin and trainer Doug O'Neill wonder: Can lightning strike twice?

will make his debut Thursday at Hollywood Park, where the 2-year-old already is burdened by unfair comparisons to 2005 juvenile champion Stevie Wonderboy.

Both colts were purchased in February at a Florida sale of 2-year-olds in training. Both were selected by Doug's brother, Dennis O'Neill. Both worked well before they started. Stevie Wonderboy debuted in June at Hollywood, and Cobalt Blue makes his first start in June at Hollywood.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A. P. Warrior will have a new rider and Your Tent or Mine will have a clean slate when the two stakes-winning colts meet June 17 in the Grade 3 Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park. The 1 1/16-mile race kicks off the second half of the season for West Coast 3-year-olds and gives A. P. Warrior a shot at redemption after finishing 18th in the Kentucky Derby.

"I just have to throw that race out, and try to find the right mix," trainer John Shirreffs said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For a filly still eligible for the most basic allowance condition, Miss Norman sure has drawn a lot of attention.

Miss Norman was in the news several weeks ago when she was purchased by Lewis Lakin and Clifford Grum for a reported mid- to high six-figure sum. A few days earlier, the filly flaunted her considerable speed when opening up on the Kentucky Oaks field down the backstretch, though she faded to finish 12th of 14 starters.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - An aggressive move by trainer Tim Hills in Florida put Cherokee Jewel in a very strong position for the $38,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares Thursday at Monmouth Park.

A 3-year-old making only her third start, Cherokee Jewel drops from a second-level allowance race to a first-level allowance at six furlongs on dirt. She faces six rivals.

"She's a horse we have a lot of hopes for," Hills said. "She showed a lot of promise in her first two races."

CHICAGO - With 10 wins and 8 seconds from 36 starts during the first month of a long meet, most horse trainers would be getting hourly hosannas. For Wayne Catalano, the record is almost ho-hum.

It's Catalano himself who has set the bar so high at Arlington. He has become the perennial leading trainer here, his main client Frank Calabrese the leading owner season after season. There have been stretches early in Arlington seasons, when Catalano's outfit has all their ducks in a row, during which the barn will win a couple each day for a week.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Three years ago, trainer Ricardo Perez decided to try Dancing Pioneer on the turf. Perez said he learned that Dancing Pioneer "loves the turf," and the gelding, now 6, has turned into a useful runner on the surface.

is 0 for 7 on the main track. All three of his career victories have come on the grass.

"He always tries hard, but all his best races have been on the turf," Perez said.