HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - At 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, trainer John Ward said he thought in the long run it might be better if Strong Contender didn't win the first-level allowance race that he was using for the colt's 3-year-old debut later that afternoon.

"I'd like to bring him back in another allowance race before putting him in against stakes company, and there's probably very little chance a two-other-than is going to fill around here," said Ward. "At least if he's still eligible for a one-other-than next month I know that race will go."

ARCADIA, Calif. - Behaving Badly has developed into the top female sprinter in California this winter. Bettors surely will be expecting no change to that status when Behaving Badly starts as a heavy favorite in Saturday's $100,000 Las Flores Handicap at Santa Anita.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - La Reason rallied through the stretch for a neck win over Ballroom Deputy in the $50,000 at Oaklawn Park on Thursday. The race had been drawn three times in the last week because a winter storm forced the cancellation of racing on each of its first two dates, Feb. 18 and Feb. 20.

But things went as scheduled on a clear afternoon Thursday. La Reason ($7.80) sat a few lengths off the pace set by Ballroom Deputy, who led the field through fractions of 24.13 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.61 for the half-mile mark, and 1:14.24 for six furlongs.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Amid blaring sirens and the hectic activity of a busy Thursday morning of workouts at Santa Anita, Brother Derek worked six furlongs in 1:12.20, his last major workout before the $200,000 Santa Catalina Stakes on March 4.

Brother Derek worked alone under jockey Alex Solis at 9:15 a.m., a time when the track was crowded with other horses working or galloping.

Brother Derek did not seem distracted by a loud siren that was triggered at the end of his workout when a horse suffered an apparent breakdown past the finish line.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Moscow Burning may have dusted rival California-breds and Florida-breds in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf last month, but that race has not affected trainer Jim Cassidy's long-range plans for 2006.

He is content starting Moscow Burning against statebreds when the opportunity exists. She will be a heavy favorite against such company in Saturday's $100,000 Pro or Con Handicap at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Cassidy could have started Moscow Burning in Monday's Grade 2 Buena Vista Handicap or waited for a race next month.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Bohemian Lady had little more than a paid workout when she waltzed to a seven-length victory in last month's Affectionately Handicap.

Saturday, she figures to have a tougher time when she runs back in the $65,000 Rare Treat Handicap at 1 1/8 miles over Aqueduct's inner track. In addition to facing probable pace pressure from Amazing Buy, will once again square off with India Halo, who was able to run down Bohemian Lady in the Ladies Handicap in December.

OLDSMAR, Fla. - The Chris Block-trained pair of Fort Prado, who won the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap in his last start, and the comebacking top the 14 entered for Saturday's $125,000 Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup Stakes. Only 12 can run in the 1 1/16-mile turf race, and Mystery Giver is one of two on the also-eligible list.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Scanlon's Song, a visually impressive debut winner here on Jan. 28, will face winners for the first time in an entry-level allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on Saturday's Aqueduct card.

Scanlon's Song, a 3-year-old son of Partner's Hero, hails from the same connections as Achilles of Troy, the multiple stakes winning 3-year-old who is considered by many a top Kentucky Derby candidate. Owner Ernie Paragallo and trainer Jennifer Pedersen believe Scanlon's Song is equally as talented if not better than Achilles of Troy.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Tamper looks like the one to beat in Saturday's Lark's Legacy Invitational Handicap at Portland Meadows, which has drawn a field of five older sprinters to compete for a $7,500 purse at 5 1/2 furlongs.

The first Grade 1 race in Calder Race Course history, the $500,000 Princess Rooney Handicap, will highlight the 2006 Calder and Tropical at Calder stakes schedules.

The six-furlong Princess Rooney shares top billing with the Grade 2, $500,000 Smile Sprint Handicap on Calder's signature event, the $1,960,000 Summit of Speed, which will be held on July 15. The Summit of Speed offers eight stakes, including two other graded races, the Grade 2 Carry Back and Grade 3 Azalea Breeders' Cup.