SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - A full field of 10 older geldings will line up in Saturday's $6,000 Fred Mendel Memorial Handicap at Marquis Downs, and the race is so competitive that a case could be made for any of the entrants. Run at a mile, the Mendel has a nice mix of front-runners, stalkers, and closers, and it just may be that the horse that gets the best trip will be the one to win.

DEL MAR, Calif. - For 45 weeks a year, Les Kepics blends into the background as part of the ensemble band Haute Chili, playing at corporate functions all over the country. But for seven weeks each summer at Del Mar, the Poway, Calif., resident is front and center, the one who lets everyone know that the games are about to begin.

On opening day Wednesday at Del Mar, Kepics made his way onto the main track, blew into his shiny, gold B-flat trumpet, and belted out the familiar notes of "First Call," to the delight of the crowd.

DEL MAR, Calif. - For trainer Jim Cassidy, the opening day of Del Mar does not come until Saturday, when Ticker Tape, his prized turf mare, starts in the $400,000 John Mabee Handicap.

Ticker Tape is the first starter of the meeting for Cassidy's 24-horse stable, a group that has strength among its female turf runners.

Cassidy also trains Singhalese, 3, who is being pointed to the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 20. Singhalese finished fourth in the Honeymoon Breeders' Cup Handicap and third in the American Oaks at Hollywood Park.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Trainer Doug O'Neill may have been the person most surprised by Kalookan Lessie's five-length win in her debut at Hollywood Park on June 22. Not that the result bothered him.

"I didn't think she'd do that first time out," O'Neill said. "I didn't see that coming."

The win has made Kalookan Lessie the favorite in Friday's $125,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes at Del Mar.

has drawn the rail, and she may have enough speed to overcome what is likely to be a very quick pace. O'Neill said she is capable of leading throughout.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Rahy's Appeal would have been a decent price if she had run against open company in an overnight stakes at Belmont Park on July 9, but she was scratched when the race was rained off the turf. On Friday, Rahy's Appeal will run against New York-breds in the $60,000-added Jena Jena Stakes, and she could be a slight favorite in the eight-horse field of 3-year-old fillies.

The Friday card is the final twilight racing program of the year in New York. Post time for the first race is 3 p.m.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Bridles with solar-powered fans, air-conditioned saddle-towels - any ideas for how to keep a horse cool this weekend at Arlington?

The three graded turf stakes scheduled here for Saturday were drawn Wednesday. Eight went into the Grade 3, $200,000 Arlington Handicap, eight in the Grade 2, $250,000 American Derby, and 11 in the Grade 3, $150,000 Modesty Handicap - and non-sweaters need not apply.

AUBURN, Wash. - A half-dozen of the best 3-year-olds on the grounds will prep for the $65,000 Seattle Slew Breeders' Cup on Aug. 7 in Friday's Emerald Downs feature, a one-mile allowance event with a purse of $19,600.

The field includes the second- through fourth-place finishers in the division's last stakes, the one-mile Tacoma Handicap on

EDMONTON, Alberta - When Nessarose won the Northlands Oaks last weekend, her effort was reminiscent of her second-place finish against males here in last fall's Canadian Juvenile. Nessarose made a late charge from last place in the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile, but came up a half-length short of Poor Iggy.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - With 15-time winner Buckeye Bates and a very tough Pioneer Pete in the field, the seventh race easily shapes up as the best race on the Friday night card at Hastings. Just about all of the eight horses entered in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for $20,000 claimers appear to have a chance at the top prize.

Above the Clouds, who has won 2 of his 5 starts at the meet, figures to be the one they will be chasing. Unless One Handsome Devil goes with him early, Above the Clouds could be very tough to catch.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Stakes winners Expect an Angel, Hatpin, and Black Rock Road clash on the grass in Friday's Woodbine feature, a seven-furlong event for $80,000 optional claimers.

Expect an Angel, 5, captured the Grade 3 Chaposa Springs Handicap as a 39-1 outsider last December at Calder. She went on to have a busy winter campaign at Gulfstream, winning a $16,000 starter allowance and finishing fifth in three graded stakes.