South Africa, Fantasticat, and Britt's Jules are all pointing for the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs after finishing about a half-length apart in last weekend's $60,000 Prelude Stakes.

The Prelude is the local prep for the Super Derby, which will be run on Sept. 25.

South Africa made his two-turn debut in the Prelude. He set the pace in the 1 1/16-mile race en route to his second stakes win at the meet, following his victory in the $50,000 Airline. For his effort, he earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 94 - and remained perfect at Louisiana Downs.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California State Fair's initial day-night doubleheader Friday went smoothly and might be scheduled again next year.

"I'm glad we did it," said Dave Elliott, the fair's director of racing. "We'd definitely consider doing it again, although we'll hold judgment until we analyze all the data. Operationally, we know it works.

CHICAGO - Rocky River easily won the Spectacular Bid Stakes, but his was not the only noteworthy performance by a 2-year-old on Sunday at Arlington.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - U.S. Gold reached a remarkable milestone in his last race at Monmouth Park: 100 starts in a career that began in 1997.

To reach the century mark is a testimony to the heart, determination, and durability of the 9-year-old New Jersey-bred gelding. Unfortunately, the final chapter for many of racing's veteran warriors produces an unhappy ending.

This is a happy tale, as U.S. Gold has been retired and will spend his golden years in comfort thanks to the generous spirit of a former owner.

CINCINNATI - Bernie Flint and Patrick Biancone have the most promising prospects in the two 2-year-old races that will bring the River Downs meet to its peak this weekend. But while Flint is looking to overwhelm the Bassinet Stakes with three fillies, Biancone could dominate the Cradle Stakes with just one colt.

The $100,000 Bassinet, a six-furlong race to be run here Saturday, has drawn a field of 11 fillies, most notably a trio from Flint's stable at Churchill Downs: Im a Dixie Girl, Angel Trumpet, and Runway Model.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There's plenty of speed in Thursday's Woodbine feature, a $62,500 optional claimer on the grass, which could set up things for a stalking Hollywood Ending.

Hollywood Ending has won two of nine starts this year for trainer Lorne Richards, who has won with 13 of his 38 starters at the Woodbine meeting. Both of Hollywood Ending's scores came against $50,000 claimers at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The names Niigon and Wando, winners of the last two Queen's Plates, both appeared on a busy main-track work tab Tuesday at Woodbine.

Niigon, in his final major tune-up for Monday's $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park, drilled six furlongs in 1:12 over the good going with regular rider Robert Landry in the irons.

Owned and bred by Chiefswood Farm and trained by Eric Coatrieux, Niigon was visiting Woodbine for the first time since winning the 1 1/4-mile Queen's Plate on June 27.

Hoosier Park in Anderson, Ind., begins its 10th season of Thoroughbred racing on Thursday evening with increased purses for each of its richest races, the Grade 2, $500,000 Indiana Derby on Oct. 2, and the $400,000 Grade 3 Indiana BC Oaks on Oct. 1.

Purses for the Derby and Oaks have each been boosted $100,000 this year. The Derby, which was won by Excessivepleasure in 2003 when run as a Grade 3 for the first time, is up another grade this year.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Historically, when a horse wins the first two legs of the Triple Crown - as Smarty Jones did in May - he is a virtual lock for the Eclipse Award as the nation's top 3-year-old and a leading contender for Horse of the Year.

One has to go back to 1969 to find the last time that didn't happen. That year, Majestic Prince won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but was beaten out for the divisional championship by Arts and Letters, who won the Belmont, Jim Dandy, Travers, Woodward, and Jockey Club Gold Cup.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After an adventurous breeze on Aug. 23 when he had to go extremely wide to avoid a loose horse, Strong Hope had an uneventful work at Saratoga on Monday as he prepared for Saturday's Grade 1 Forego Handicap.

Strong Hope worked five furlongs over the main track in company with stablemate Colita. Strong Hope, who was ridden in the work by Angel Cordero Jr., covered the distance in 59.24 seconds. Colita was timed in 59.27.