ARCADIA, Calif. - Last fall, owner Jim Ford turned to Jamie Lloyd, an assistant trainer to Paddy Gallagher, for advice on a few prospects to be offered at a horse sale in England.

Lloyd accompanied Ford to the sale, where they purchased the group-stakes-placed Shermeen for approximately $290,000. Then Ford made Lloyd an offer that changed his year: He asked Lloyd to train the filly.

"It was a hard opportunity to turn down," Lloyd said.

On Saturday, Shermeen will be Lloyd's first starter, if she runs in the $80,000 China Doll Stakes.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The rally that Kitty Hawk displayed going from sixth to first through the stretch of an allowance race on Jan. 15 will make her the favorite in the $80,000 China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Trained by Patrick Biancone, made up seven lengths through the stretch of that allowance race, her first start since being imported from Europe last fall.

In the China Doll Stakes, run at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies, she will be expected to duplicate that effort. If she does, she could be headed to more lucrative stakes.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Earlier this winter, Miesque's Approval spoiled jockey Jerry Bailey's farewell party when he upset Silver Tree, the final mount of the Hall of Fame rider's career, in the Sunshine Millions Turf. On Saturday, Miesque's Approval could play the spoiler again when he tries to foil the returns of two-time Grade 1 winner Good Reward and multiple Grade 1 stakes-placed English Channel in Gulfstream Park's $100,000 Canadian Turf Handicap.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Add Sharp Humor's name to the list of possible starters for the $1 million Florida Derby on April 1.

Trainer Dale Romans said the Florida Derby is one of three races he and owners Ed Edelberg and Chris Purdy are considering next for Sharp Humor, the New York-bred who upset the Grade 2 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park last weekend.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - With more time between races and a seemingly better pace scenario, Wild Jam may be able to turn the tables on Bishop Court Hill in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Toboggan Handicap at Aqueduct.

A field of six was entered for the Toboggan, the first graded event run in New York in two months. Normally contested at seven furlongs on the main track, the Toboggan will be run at six furlongs over the inner track because the meet has been extended to March 26 this year.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Paraneck Stable and trainer Jennifer Pedersen have parted ways after five years together. Frank Amonte Jr., Pedersen's assistant, will take over the training of the stable, which includes the highly regarded 3-year-old Achilles of Troy, who will be one of the favorites in the Gotham Stakes here March 18.

Pedersen, 43, said she plans to open a public stable in New York.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - It is difficult to separate Grade 1 winners Happy Ticket and Round Pond on talent, making strategy a key factor Saturday when they meet for the first time in the Grade 3, $175,000 Azeri Breeders' Cup at Oaklawn Park.

The Azeri, a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, could turn into a riders' race, with the decisions of Robby Albarado, aboard Happy Ticket, and Stewart Elliott, on Round Pond, going a long way toward dictating the result.

ALBANY, Calif. - Cause to Believe will try and take an important step to the Kentucky Derby when he meets six rivals in the $100,000 on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

Cause to Believe, who will be heavily favored, will be nominated to the Kentucky Derby if he wins Saturday's 1 1/16-mile race.

He has 5 wins and 3 seconds in 8 starts, including four stakes victories, and is undefeated in two tries around two turns.

ALBANY, Calif. - Jockeys Frank Alvarado and Martin Garcia both fell in Thursday's final race at Golden Gate Fields and were scheduled for precautionary X-rays.

Alvarado was aboard pacesetting Josephine Z, who broke down approaching the 3/8ths pole. Alvarado was able to get up and walk to the ambulance but was scheduled to have his right ankle X-rayed at Valley Care Medical Center in Pleasanton.

Oaklawn Park has increased overnight purses by $1,000 a race, effective with Friday's program. The increase is the track's second in less than two weeks, following a $700 per-race increase March 1.