OCEANPORT, N.J. - Jumping can wait for Frolicking Prince.

A 4-year-old, makes his first start for owner-trainer Oliver Keelan Thursday in the $39,000 allowance feature at Monmouth Park, a 1 1/8-mile first-level allowance contest.

Keelan is always on the lookout for a turf runner who could eventually become a steeplechaser. He has served as a bloodstock agent in transactions involving several runners who became top-level jumpers and said he thinks he has a solid steeplechase candidate in Frolicking Prince.

CHICAGO - A lot of betting favorites are the product of a mass knee-jerk reaction. See Spot. See Spot win. Bet on Spot the next time he races.

The problem is, people are very often playing a losing game of catch-up. The horse's form is moving faster than their wager. The winning day has passed before the play can be made.

Rockingham Park has combined efforts with several casino companies to develop a plan to renovate the racetrack and bring back Thoroughbred racing as long as the state legislature allows the track to operate slot machines, track officials announced Tuesday.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has a horse in mind for the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Oct. 1, but it's not the horse many might expect.

Asmussen sent out Real Dandy to win the Grade 3, $750,000 on Sunday and said Tuesday that Real Dandy is being pointed for the Grade 2, $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park on Sept. 5.

Leading Spirit, undefeated and already a three-time Grade 1 futurity winner, seeks to qualify for the $1.9 million All American Futurity when he runs in the 13th of 16 440-yard trials on Thursday at Ruidoso Downs.

If can win the Grade 1 All American and collect the $1 million winner's share of the purse, he would also earn a $4 million bonus for sweeping the Ruidoso, Rainbow, and All American futurities, the triple crown for Quarter Horses. In winning his first seven starts, Leading Spirit has earned $694,616.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Questions abound regarding Thursday's Woodbine feature, a nonwinners-of-three allowance for Ontario-sired fillies and mares.

Will Fury Stakes winner River Nore snap out of her slump? Can On Silent Wings stretch her blazing speed out to 6 1/2 furlongs? Is the race too short for Bold Little Lass? Will Versionofthetruth be able to take her game to the next level?

AUBURN, Wash. - Do's Buckshot will be heavily favored to notch his sixth win from seven starts at the Emerald Downs meeting on Thursday when he heads a field of seven in the 1 1/8-mile feature, which will be run under $3,500 starter handicap conditions.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Kissed by a Prince has forged a lucrative career on the main track, winning 7 of 17 races and $374,578.

But Mike DePaulo, who trains Kissed by a Prince for Heather Landymore, has never been convinced the filly won't handle turf.

"She hasn't jumped up on it or anything," said DePaulo. "But, we'll hope that changes on the weekend."

On Sunday, Kissed by a Prince will be trying turf for only the second time here - in the $125,000 Victoriana , a 1 1/16-mile stakes for Ontario-sired fillies and mares.

AUBURN, Wash. - Several candidates for Sunday's Grade 3, $250,000 Longacres Mile logged their final serious preps last weekend, but no work was more crucial than the six-furlong drill registered by Sabertooth at Emerald Downs on Saturday.

Sabertooth, who won the 2002 Mile, missed a scheduled start in the July 31 Governor's Handicap because he acted up in the gate and was scratched. He also missed several days of training while healing from his self-inflicted scrapes and bruises. As a consequence, he absolutely needed a strong workout justify another crack at the Mile.

CHICAGO - The featured race Wednesday at Arlington is an entry-level allowance for older horses. In attendance will be a fraction of the 28,321 fans who jammed the park Saturday. The Grade 1 horseflesh that dazzled over the weekend has flown the coop, the last two ship-ins, the French-based Million runners Touch of Land and Alost, having headed home Tuesday.