INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Even the Score will open as the solid favorite in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday when he tries to complete a sweep of the track's three handicap-division races. A field of seven entered the $750,000 Gold Cup, and the absence of a legitimate second choice is one reason linemaker Russell Hudak said he would "start Even the Score at 6-5, then go from there."

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Shadow of Mine has not raced in nearly six months, but when the 3-year-old filly returns Friday night at Hollywood Park, she will face lambs instead of wolves. The handicapping dilemma is basic - class or condition? Because for the first time since her maiden victory one year ago, Shadow of Mine is not racing over her head.

"She's actually back where she belongs," trainer Beau Greely said of the first-level allowance. "She's trained well, and she's plenty fit."

MIAMI - The sport of racing is full of surprises. Not only is Caller One making a return to the races after suffering what was thought to be a career-ending injury two years ago, but he will launch his comeback in a two-furlong race, the $50,000 Rocket Man Stakes Saturday at Calder.

The Rocket Man is one of six stakes on the Summit of Speed card, which is topped by the Grade 2, $500,000 Smile Sprint Handicap for males and the Grade 2, $500,000 Princess Rooney Handicap for fillies and mares.

NEW YORK - A state appeals court ruled on Wednesday that a portion of a law allowing slot machines at New York racetracks was unconstitutional but that the machines themselves were legal. Representatives on both sides expressed disappointment in the ruling and said they expected it would be appealed.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - The July Fourth holiday, Haskell Day (Aug. 8 this year), and Labor Day are points of call in the course of a Monmouth Park meet.

With the meet having just passed the first "pole," the business report paints a very positive picture.

Compared with last year, Monmouth has posted solid increases in three major categories - attendance, ontrack handle, and total handle, which includes betting on Monmouth at all simulcast outlets.

Sea Dub capped a big weekend for trainer Joe Petalino on Sunday, when he won the $75,000 Independence Handicap at Louisiana Downs. A day earlier, Petalino sent out Rare Cure to win the $75,000 Bob Johnson Memorial at Lone Star Park, and the victories gave him a sweep of the weekend stakes for older horses in Louisiana and Texas.

"Both horses are doing exceptionally well," said Petalino. "We got lucky. Everything worked out just right."

Petalino said Rare Cure will make his next start at Louisiana Downs.

Lone Star's leading trainer, Steve Asmussen, is one of several trainers planning to leave a stable of horses at Lone Star after the meet closes Sunday. The track will remain open for training because of a special fall meet in October to complement Lone Star's hosting of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

About 400 horses are expected to stable on the grounds between meets, said Dale Coleman, stall superintendent at Lone Star.

ELMONT, N.Y. - The Grade 2 Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup was a tough spot for Smokume, who finished fifth in the seven-furlong stakes.

In Friday's $60,000-added Ogygian Stakes at Belmont Park, Smokume faces a softer group and turns back to a more favorable distance. Six 3-year-olds were entered in the Ogygian, a 5 1/2-furlong dirt race for nonwinners of a graded stakes this year.

drew the outside post and will be ridden by Shannon Uske. He is the likely favorite in the eighth race on the twilight racing card.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Last Song is coming to Arlington Park for her first start since the Kentucky Oaks, and it is a beefed-up model of the classy 3-year-old filly that vans to Chicago on Thursday morning. Last Song will arrive from Kentucky later Thursday and start Friday in the eighth race, a third-level allowance with a $62,500 claiming option.

AUBURN, Wash. - A field of 11 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds, each eligible to be claimed for $25,000, will race over six furlongs in Friday's featured seventh race at Emerald Downs.