ETOBICOKE, Ontario - A Bit O'Gold, Canada's Horse of the Year in 2005, is back at Woodbine.

But don't expect to see A Bit O'Gold, the 5-year-old gelding who also was voted champion older male and champion turf male last year, in the entries any time soon.

"We're looking at the summertime," said trainer Catherine Day Phillips, who sent out A Bit O'Gold to win 3 of 7 starts and $597,336 last year. Afterward, he got a Florida vacation.

Barring an unforeseen setback, horse racing is returning to the beleaguered city of New Orleans this year. Fair Grounds Race Course announced Friday that it has submitted an application to the Louisiana State Racing Commission for an 81-day meet beginning this November, putting to rest months of speculation over the future of the historic track.

"Normally when I turn in a dates application it's pretty much a non-event, but due to circumstances it is an event this time," said Fair Grounds general manager Randy Soth. "It's the first step in the process."

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Of the record 38 horses trainer Todd Pletcher nominated to this year's Triple Crown, none was more highly regarded than Bluegrass Cat. With season-ending victories at 2 in the Nashua and Remsen stakes, proven ability at a distance, and a glittering pedigree, Bluegrass Cat was at or near the top of anyone's shortlist of Kentucky Derby contenders.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex combined to win four of the last six Triple Crown races after dominating performances in the Arkansas Derby. Their successor appears to be Lawyer Ron.

Saturday's Grade 2, $1 million closes out the meet at Oaklawn Park. With a win, Lawyer Ron would enhance his reputation as one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Just two days into the Keeneland spring meet, trainer Eddie Kenneally hit his career pinnacle when Bushfire captured the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes. One Saturday later, Kenneally will be back gunning for another major score when he sends out Kelly's Landing as one of the major contenders in the Grade 2, $400,000 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes.

"Winning the Ashland alone was a fantastic way to start out," said Kenneally. "But if we could win a second prestigious race at Keeneland, that would be icing on the cake, indeed."

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The only time Wend ran before the home folks, she was narrowly beaten by a filly who won the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in her next start.

Six months later, Wend will make her second Keeneland appearance - this time without having to face the retired Intercontinental. Bred and owned by Claiborne Farm, a major player in the Kentucky racing and breeding industry, Wend will be favored when she starts from the outside post in a field of nine fillies and mares Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As Watershed Event edged away from Perfect Drift to win the seventh race Thursday at Keeneland, the connections of the top two finishers were deeply satisfied with the result.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Most people know the best 3-year-old colt in trainer Bob Holthus's barn: Lawyer Ron. Now meet the best 3-year-old filly: Beau Dare. She will make her first start of the year Saturday in the $100,000 Instant Racing Breeders' Cup, which is one of two undercard stakes supporting the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

The Instant Racing will be run at one mile, and is the first leg of a national pick four, which continues with the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup and the Blue Grass from Keeneland, and ends with the Arkansas Derby.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Maybe it's in the water.

The local drinking water is just one of the advantages of prepping a horse here for the Kentucky Derby, say some of the top horsemen here. The last three years, Oaklawn has been a hotbed for young talent, producing the winners of four of the last six Triple Crown races in Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex, and one of this year's Kentucky Derby favorites in Lawyer Ron.

Oaklawn is located in Hot Springs National Park, where natural springs of hot water come out of the ground. The minerals in the water are believed to be therapeutic.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Smuggler, last year's champion 3-year-old filly, is likely to make her return to the races in next Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Bed o' Roses Breeders' Cup Handicap, trainer Shug McGaughey said Thursday.

Smuggler, unraced since winning the Coaching Club American Oaks last July 23, worked five furlongs in 1:01.47 Thursday over Belmont's main track. It was the sixth work of the year for Smuggler, who is expected to work again on Monday.

"If she works good Monday, I'll run," McGaughey said.