ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The $250,000 Cup and Saucer is one of Woodbine's richest 2-year-old stakes, and it could help determine the Sovereign Award winner for champion of the division.

This year's renewal, to be run Sunday at 1 1/16 miles on turf, is a great betting race with a host of contenders, including Shillelagh Slew and Seeking Shelter.

Shillelagh Slew, a $40,000 yearling purchase by owner David James, is well-regarded by trainer Mike DePaulo. He closed wide from far back when he made his debut on the grass Sept. 3, finishing third despite running greenly.

ARCADIA, Calif. - surprised trainer Jay Robbins when she pulled an upset in the Aladdin Resort Handicap over a mile on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 21. A filly that Robbins thought was primarily a sprinter, She's a Jewel successfully stretched her speed around two turns for the first time in that race.

The victory has given Robbins optimism about She's a Jewel's chances in Sunday's $100,000 Harold Ramser Handicap at Santa Anita. The conditions for the Ramser are the same as the Aladdin - a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies - but the competition in the field of 11 is tougher.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Lord Nelson is the horse to beat in the $100,000 Premier's at Hastings on Sunday, but he could be vulnerable.

The 1 3/8-mile fixture drew 11 3-year-olds and up, including British Columbia Derby winner Spaghetti Mouse and Blowin in the Wind, who will try and repeat his win in the 2004 Premier's.

AUBURN, Wash. - The inaugural Stanislaw Ashbaugh Claiming Challenge will help to bring down the curtain on Emerald's 101-day meeting on Sunday.

EDMONTON, Alberta - Morocian Rocket, in the money in each of his three starts, has a good chance to break through Sunday at Northlands Park in a maiden special weights affair. Eight 2-year-olds meet in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint, which goes as the third of seven races.

Morocian Rocket, owned by trainer Don Gilkyson and Triple K Stables, has a second and a pair of thirds. He has shown early speed in each of his races, all under Perry Winters, who again will be at the controls.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - At this accelerated rate, Rafael Bejarano will reach 8,000 wins sometime around his 50th birthday.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The first thing you notice when you walk into Nick's Spaghetti House on Commercial Drive is all of the win pictures hanging on the wall. Nick and Pauline Felicella, who own the popular Vancouver eatery, are hoping that Spaghetti Mouse will increase their collection with a win in the $100,000 Premier's on Sunday at Hastings.

The Meadowlands canceled it fourth consecutive card on Friday when it announced that the track had called off its Saturday-night program.

Heavy rain for more than a week caused widespread flooding throughout New Jersey and shut down Meadowlands racing because of an uneven racing surface.

The Meadowlands last ran a complete program on Oct. 7. The track managed only one race on Oct. 8, got in three on Tuesday afternoon, and canceled the Wednesday through Saturday programs.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Spite the Devil pulled a 15-1 upset winning last year's $250,000 Empire Classic by a head over the favorite, West Virginia. He won't be nearly as big a price this year, provided he gets to the starting gate.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Island Fashion is in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, We All Love Aleyna is probable for the Breeders' Cup Mile, and A.P. Warrior is doubtful for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Belmont Park on Oct. 29, their trainers said Friday.

With the pre-entry deadline looming Monday, owners and trainers are making final decisions this weekend about the participation of their horses on the richest program in American racing.