The Awad Stakes was supposed to be a lead-in to the Mid-America Triple, Arlington's series of three grass races for 3-year-olds that starts with the July 2 Arlington Classic and ends with the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes. The way the Awad came together, it might as well be part of the series itself.

"I think it's a pretty tough race for $40,000, is what I think," said trainer Hugh Robertson.

Robertson figured the Awad would present an opportune moment to launch the turf career of the improving Three Hour Nap. He didn't figure to jump in so deep right away.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Trainer Tim Hills faced a critical decision last fall with Desirable Moment: try to correct a persistent breathing problem or retire her to the broodmare ranks.

Hills said he knew all along which way he was leaning.

Desirable Moment launches her comeback Saturday at Monmouth Park in the $55,000 Candy Eclair Stakes for fillies and mares at five furlongs on the grass.

"She is real sound," Hills said. "And she's real fast."

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Classic Stamp will try to put an end to her unlucky streak Saturday at Woodbine in the $348,900 Nassau Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf event for fillies and mares.

AUBURN, Wash. - Handicappers will have something to sink their teeth into in Saturday's best race at Emerald Downs, a 6 1/2-furlong event for $7,500 claimers that has drawn an evenly matched field of eight.

While a case could be made for any of the entrants, none is without flaws in his form.

CALGARY, Alberta - Tantoo and Jade Peony, two of the best sprinting mares in the claiming ranks here, head a field of five in a $30,000 claiming race at their preferred distance of six furlongs on Saturday at Stampede Park.

With the forecast of rain over the weekend, the edge would go to Tantoo, who moves up in the off going. Tantoo comes off a strong effort against similar company on May 6 in which she led to deep stretch after pressing fast fractions. Tantoo, a 9-year-old, breaks from post 3 under leading rider Quincy Welch.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Strategy could play a big role in whether Lord Nelson wins the $45,000 John Longden 6000 at Hastings Saturday. There's not much doubt that Lord Nelson, a four-time older local champion, will be favored over the seven other horses that entered. It's also very likely he will finish in the money. After all, dating back to May 1, 2001, Lord Nelson has finished either first or second in 21 of his last 23 starts at Hastings.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Cryptograph has been known to put in some big stretch runs at Lone Star Park. He won the $75,000 Grand Prairie with a last-to-first move a meet ago, and in October he closed from 10th to finish a half-length behind Pollard's Vision in the Grade 3 Lone Star Derby.

Monday, Cryptograph put in his latest stretch bid at Lone Star, rallying fast to finish a nose second to Supah Blitz in the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap. The race was Cryptograph's first start in six months, with his last race having come in November.

Janeian is a mare who likes to hear her feet rattle. So when the turf came up yielding for the Grade 3, $200,000 WinStar Distaff at Lone Star Park on Monday, her plans changed. She was scratched from the race and entered instead in the $50,000 Old South Handicap at Louisiana Downs on Saturday.

Burning Memories will take on seven other fillies and mares at six furlongs when she tries to defend her title in Saturday's $40,000 Hoist Her Flag Stakes at Canterbury Park.

A 7-year-old mare owned and trained by James Cranwell, Burning Memories has strung together an impressive record in six seasons of racing. She won her first stakes in the Nebraska Breeders' Debutante Stakes at 2 and built on that form by winning stakes in Nebraska and Minnesota at 5 and 6.

Up 'N Blumin and Missy Can Do headline a field of six fillies and mares going six furlongs in the $12,500 Bluegrass Handicap at Nebraska State Fair Park in Lincoln.

Up 'N Blumin won two stakes at Fonner this spring, capturing the statebred Orphan Kist Handicap and the open Al Swihart Memorial. She then journeyed to Prairie Meadows and was claimed for $40,000 in her last start by trainer Kelly Von Hemel. She finished last in that race while never showing her usual tactical speed.

Missy Can Do has the best speed in this field and is the defending champion in this race.