ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin wanted a sharp work from Eye of the Tiger and that is what he got on Friday at Belmont Park.

Eye of the Tiger, who will run next in the $750,000 Metropolitan Mile Handicap on May 31, worked five furlongs in 59.64 seconds over the main track, which was listed as fast. Only three of the 27 horses to work at the distance, shaded a minute.

With jockey Richard Migliore in the saddle, Eye of the Tiger got his last quarter in 23 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.40.

ELMONT, N.Y. - After an easy win in an optional claimer two weeks ago, Quantum Merit is the one to beat in the $100,000-added Kingston Handicap for New York-breds on Sunday at Belmont Park.

Quantum Merit is the 121-pound highweight in the 1 1/8-mile turf race. Ten horses made the body of the race. There are two also-eligibles, and three main-track-only entries.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The pick six score of a lifetime - a payoff of $1.3 million at Hollywood Park on Wednesday - nearly did not happen for Ohio horse owner Brad Anderson.

Betting from Beulah Park, near his home in Arlington, Ohio, Anderson had one of two winning tickets on a day when the payoff reached record levels at Hollywood Park.

For Anderson, 43, the success was a matter of perseverance and overcoming a late bout with self-doubt.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Chalk players will appreciate the $75,000 Willard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes on Sunday at Hollywood Park, where runaway maiden winner starts as the rightful favorite in the five-furlong stakes for 2-year-olds. Catch him if you can.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With cross-country travel cost prohibitive, horses are shipped infrequently to Kentucky from California for a non-stakes race. The exceptions are generally those making permanent moves, or those that figure to start as overwhelming favorites.

Salcombe falls into the second category. Twice second at Santa Anita this spring, he looms a short-priced favorite in Sunday's seventh race at Churchill Downs, an entry-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Senior golfers have the opportunity to compete in events restricted to older players. Horses of advanced age have no such luxury. Not that Gretchen's Star needs such an advantage - at age 9, he acts as good as ever.

He will need to be at his best Sunday when he faces five stakes-quality rivals in the ninth race, a $68,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Think of it this way: When Chindi was born, Bill Clinton was starting the second year of his first term as president.

Yes, that is a "10" on his Daily Racing Form past performance data, and yes, that number represents Chindi's age. His color is listed as gray-roan, but the coat is starting to go very much to white.

How long can Chindi's racetrack life go on?

"Until they legally make him stop," said trainer Steve Hobby.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The unbeaten Eye of the Sphynx will be favored in Sunday's $275,000 Selene Stakes at Woodbine, but trainer Reade Baker may have a strategic advantage in the Grade 2 event for 3-year-old fillies when he sends out Ontheqt and Silver Bird.

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Placid Star, her perfect record on the line, returns to the main track and a sprint distance Sunday, when she goes as the heavy favorite in the $50,000 Fantasia Stakes. The six-furlong dash for Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies drew a field of eight.

Social King has done little wrong in three career starts on dirt, winning twice and finishing a narrowly beaten second. He will be a prohibitive favorite to transfer his good form to the turf in Lone Star's fourth race Sunday, an entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds at 7 1/2 furlongs.