ELMONT, N.Y. - Ghostzapper's brilliance in the Metropolitan Handicap still resonates on the Belmont Park backstretch. So much so that the connections of 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide were prompted to work their champion gelding on the turf Sunday morning in hopes of opening up another avenue and thus avoiding a confrontation with Ghostzapper later in the year.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Four of the 36 Steve Asmussen-trained horses that have been in quarantine for equine herpes since May 17 at Barn 38 at Churchill Downs have tested positive for the virus in a second round of tests, Churchill officials reported Sunday.

The four horses have been taken from Barn 38 and placed in a Churchill barn that had been reserved for testing for alkalizing agents before quarantine restrictions were ordered May 17. Churchill said the four horses may soon be taken off the Churchill grounds to a separate quarantine facility, possibly at Keeneland.

Ramon Dominguez, the leading rider at Delaware Park, rode five winners at the track Monday. Dominguez won with Pardon My Sarong ($4.80) in the first, Flanked in Gold ($4.20) in the third, Formal Charade ($4.80) in the fourth, Tigress Bythetail ($5.20) in the sixth, and Umpateedle ($4.60) in the seventh.

One victory came at the expense of jockey Jeremy Rose. In the third race, Rose's mount, Power of the Porgi, finished first but was disqualified and placed second for bumping Flanked in Gold in the final jumps.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Last year at this time, Willmott Stables and trainer Tony Reinstedler had three standout grass fillies cranking up for what they hoped would be successful campaigns.

The year wound up being a productive one - for the most part. Sand Springs and Aud combined to win three stakes and more than $370,000 during their 4-year-old seasons, but their stablemate Baxter Hall was something of a disappointment, going winless in five starts after winning back-to-back races in March and April.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Although the chances of getting Funny Cide have apparently vanished, the prospective field for the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap on June 18 is still shaping up to justify its Grade 1 ranking.

The list of probable starters for the Stephen Foster, a 1 1/8-mile race, is headed by Saint Liam, Badge of Silver, Perfect Drift, and Second of June. Other candidates include Congrats, M B Sea, Supah Blitz, and either of the Todd Pletcher duo of Limehouse and Pollard's Vision.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Trainer Bill Spawr's heart sank when he learned that Snatch the Cash had drawn the rail for Wednesday's fifth race at Hollywood Park.

A $25,000 claim last September, was gelded in late 2004 and has been a profitable purchase, having won 2 of 3 starts for Spawr. But Spawr said continuing that success Wednesday in a $51,000 allowance race over seven furlongs will be difficult because of the draw. He argues that the track along the rail is deeper on a Wednesday, the first day of the racing week, than later in the week.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The older filly and mare division in California may have found a definitive new leader in Andujar, the winner of Saturday's at Hollywood Park.

In a division where the horses have largely taken turns beating one another this year, Andujar turned in the performance of the season in her stakes debut, scorching six rivals with a seven-length win in the Grade 2 Milady over 1 1/16 miles. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 106.

Class handicappers may view with skepticism in the featured eighth race at Arlington Wednesday, a third-level allowance with a purse of $31,000. A former $15,000 claimer, she has struggled in top-level races at major tracks.

But now, returning to her best game at a mile on dirt, she may show there is more to her than her humble roots might suggest.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Carlos Cruz knew something wasn't right.

The 2004 Monmouth Park season was rapidly approaching, but the jockey didn't feel up to it.

He was riding at Philadelphia Park and his energy level was dwindling.

"I started getting really weak," Cruz said. "I didn't have the strength I used to have."

Doctors ran blood tests and determined Cruz was anemic. Further tests revealed the cause: a cancerous tumor in his colon.

Suddenly, Cruz confronted a potentially life-altering challenge.

* Dysfunctional Lady used her speed to jump right out to a clear lead and was never threatened thereafter in a gate-to-wire victory in the $15,000 Yavapai Classic Handicap for fillies and mares at Yavapai Downs.