FORT ERIE, Ontario - Fort Erie's leading rider, Chad Beckon, won't have his five-pound apprentice allowance for the next racing week here. His allowance period comes to an end Thursday.

The lost benefit will hardly be a threat to derail Beckon from his march to the title - his lead going into Saturday's action here was a comfortable 16 over runner-up Neil Poznansky, last year's champ. The score was 87 to 71.

"It's been a great year and I'm accomplishing my goal," said Beckon about his title aspirations. "I started off slowly, but now I've put my time in."

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Two Grade 1 races have evolved as probably the most important in the niche division of 3-year-old turf fillies: the American Oaks at Hollywood Park, and the at Keeneland.

Cesario, the Japanese sensation, won the July 3 American Oaks in breathtaking fashion in what clearly was the deepest race so far in the division. The $500,000 QEII, to be run Saturday at Keeneland, is missing both Cesario and the American Oaks runner-up, Melhor Ainda, but otherwise, it fits the bill.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Jim Cassidy likes having a horse to run in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. Why wouldn't he? The only time the trainer ever ran a filly in the Grade 1 race was last year, when Ticker Tape held on to win the $500,000 stakes by a half-length.

"Great to be back," said Cassidy, the New Yorker-turned-Californian who has brought Singhalese to Keeneland as a major contender in the 22nd QEII.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - T. D. Vance, making his first start since his upset win in the Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga, was in full control Thursday, leading throughout and edging clear in the $150,000 at Keeneland.

Sent away as the lukewarm favorite in a field of eight 3-year-olds, T. D. Vance, ridden by Edgar Prado, turned back mild bids from several rivals and covered the mile in 1:34.65 over a firm turf course. He returned $6.80 to win.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Whether he races on the lead or near the pace, Willow O Wisp has taken control of the 3-year-old turf division in California this year.

His versatility has resulted in three consecutive stakes wins and made Willow O Wisp a strong favorite in Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Oak Tree Derby over 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita.

Regardless of how the race develops, trainer Vladimir Cerin said he is convinced that Willow O Wisp is ready.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The California Horse Racing Board said it will begin administering the testing for high bicarbonate levels, or milkshakes, on Wednesday, taking over responsibility from a consortium of racetracks and horsemen's organizations that has conducted testing since the beginning of the year.

The administration of bicarbonates is believed to give horses more stamina.

According to a statement released by the CHRB on Thursday, all Thoroughbred runners will be tested.

ELMONT, N.Y. - It was supposed to finally stop raining some time Friday, but after several days of heavy showers, Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Athenia Handicap at Belmont Park is likely to be transferred from the turf to the dirt.

If so, the 1 1/16-mile race figures to boil down to the three main-track-only entrants - Bohemian Lady, Zosima, and My Lordship.

ELMONT, N.Y. - George Steinbrenner may not have his Yankees to root for in the World Series on the last weekend of October, but he will still have his sights set on a championship come Oct. 29.

Steinbrenner owns Sweet Symphony, the Grade 1-winning 3-year-old filly who will make her next start in the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff, her trainer, Bill Mott, confirmed Thursday. A victory in the Distaff could propel Sweet Symphony to an Eclipse Award in the 3-year-old filly division.

MIAMI - Never take a short price on a horse being asked to do something for the first time. That handicapping adage will be tested Saturday at Calder when local 2-year-old kingpin In Summation attempts to complete a sweep of the Florida Stallion Stakes series in the $400,000 In Reality Stakes.

MIAMI - Running Lass has already won the opening two legs of the filly division of the Florida Stallion Stakes, but even with jockey Jerry Bailey taking the call she may be no better than the public's third choice when she attempts to complete the sweep in Saturday's $400,000 My Dear Girl Stakes at Calder.