MUSKGEON, Mich. - Gold Ginny is one of four 3-year-old fillies leading trainer Gerald Bennett will saddle in the $40,000 Regret Stakes on Friday evening at Great Lakes Downs. The six-furlong race, the first stakes race of the season, attracted a field of eight Michigan-breds, all of whom will carry 121 pounds.

Besides Gold Ginny, Bennett entered Zosia's Genius, Deb's Favorite Gift, and Stylish Factor. Bennett's son, Dale, also has an entrant, Cats Copy. All have different owners and will race as separate interests.

CARENCRO, La. - Full fields continue to be the rule this meet. Lack of activity at the entry box has plagued this track in recent years but the effects of the track's new slots casino in nearby Opelousas have been immediate.

Racing operations will make the 15-mile shift to join the casino in a completely new facility in time for the 2005 season next spring.

LINCOLN, Neb. - Local rider J.R. Dailey is planning an addition to Lincoln's annual recognition of the Jockeys Across America Day fundraiser on July 10, the last Saturday of the meeting.

Dailey, an accomplished artist and musician, has some prints he is interested in contributing to a raffle and also is working with other riders in putting together a local band to play that weekend. He has recently been sitting in at Duggan's Pub in the downtown area on Mondays and is helping to bring some attention to the track.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Jim Day is no stranger to Queen's Plate success, having captured the 1988 running with Regal Intention and the 1991 running with Dance Smartly during his tenure with Sam-Son Farm.

This year, Day will try to win his first Plate as a public trainer and appears to have a pair of worthy candidates in His Smoothness and Copper Trail.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - If all things happen in threes, then Assiniboia Downs should be in the clear for the remainder of the 2004 racing season.

Mid-May began with a spring storm that left behind six inches of snow, and that was followed by the death of local fan favorite Kalfaari. Then a fire destroyed the press box in the early morning hours of May 17.

Damage from the fire is estimated at $1.5 million. The blaze forced the cancellation of four live racing cards and 11 days of simulcast wagering.

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - A purse increase of 13.6 percent over last year and solid fields for Friday's opening-day card will launch the 2004 live racing season on a positive note.

A total of 56 horses are slated to run in Friday's seven races, headlined by perennial local champ Beau Ring in the allowance feature for older horses. The increased purse money is the result of an increase in simulcast wagering over the winter.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Having established himself as a top 10 rider at the current Hollywood Park meet, Jon Court will try to win his first Grade 1 in North America on Monday aboard front-runner Leroidesanimaux in the Shoemaker Mile.

Court, eighth in the Hollywood Park standings through Sunday, rode the Bobby Frankel-trained Leroidesanimaux to a course-record win May 1 in the Grade 3 Inglewood Handicap - 1 1/16 miles in 1:38.45. An import from Brazil, Leroidesanimaux has a running style that befits a blazingly fast turf course.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Stage Shy showed just enough ability in Europe that after she won only once in four starts merciless observers could accurately label her a well-bred flop. A full sister to multi-talented Grade 1 winner Geri, Stage Shy was supposed to be something more than a mere maiden race winner.

Trainer John Gosden finally recommended she be sent to Neil Drysdale in the United States. There was little to lose - in three of four starts overseas, Stage Shy finished last or next to last. It could not get much worse. But it could get a lot better. And it did.

ELMONT, N.Y. - There's a stakes race at Belmont Park on Thursday, and a certain 3-year-old who ran very well at Pimlico earlier this month looks like a solid contender.

No, not that one.

This one is Art Fan, a Maryland-based filly who will ship in for the $60,000 Terpsichorist, a restricted event for 3-year-old fillies who have never won a stakes.

Scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the Widener turf course, the Terpsichorist drew 13 entrants, including three also-eligibles.

Azeri, the 2002 Horse of the Year and two-time champion older female, will make her first start against males in Monday's Grade 1, $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, owner Michael Paulson confirmed Tuesday. Among the horses Azeri will likely face is Funny Cide, last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and 3-year-old champion.