LINCOLN, Neb. - Thundering Verzy makes his Lincoln debut and should be the overwhelming choice in a compact field of five gathered for the $10,000 Journal Star Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.

A son of Verzy, Thundering Verzy suffered his first defeat in Nebraska when he was a solid second to Okie Style in the Nebraska Derby at Fonner Park on May 8. Before that, Thundering Verzy, a multiple stakes winner, had won the Fonner Park Special Stakes against statebreds in an impressive performance.

AUBURN, Wash. - Willie the Cat will rule a strong favorite when he takes on nine challengers in Sunday's 6 1/2-furlong Fox Sports Net Handicap at Emerald Downs.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Dancewithavixen, trained and owned by Tom Longstaff, completely dominated the 3-year-old filly stakes division at Hastings in 2003. She also won the first two added-money events for older fillies and mares this year and has to be considered as one of the best females ever to have run in British Columbia.

CALGARY, Alberta - Sunday's $40,000 Teeworth Plate attracted a full field of 10 with co-highweights Rindanica and Regal Ability assigned 120 pounds in the one-mile event.

Rindanica, favored in the Sprint Championship here May 8, bobbled at the break but rallied late to close to within three-quarters of a length of the winner, Dance Me Free.

A 4-year-old whose 3-year-old campaign was exceptional yet overshadowed by the divisional champion, Taiaslew, Rindanica will appreciate the added yardage over what will surely be a wet track.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - One race does not a career make. But one race can open eyes to possibilities.

The possibilities for Crossing Borders, a $20,000 Keeneland yearling purchase last September, are still open to speculation, but his debut victory on Thursday at least has jockey Pedro Mercado looking forward to a second chance to ride the 2-year-old son of Roar.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Blonde Executive displayed plenty of ability as a 2-year-old, and her connections couldn't have been blamed for following their natural inclination to point for the Labatt Woodbine Oaks.

After all, the Oaks, run at 1 1/8 miles, is this country's premier test for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies, and offers a purse of $500,000. Several hopefuls will be tuning up for the Oaks in Sunday's 1 1/16-mile, $250,000 Selene.

FORT ERIE, Ontario - After an absence of eight years, trainer Debrah Simpson has returned to Fort Erie, where she started her career in 1982.

And Simpson, a native of St. Catharines, Ont., found quick success in her return. On Tuesday, she won with Thunder Rider in a $10,000 starter allowance.

Thunder Rider was the second horse she saddled at the meet. The first, My Wonderful, finished fifth after a slow beginning two days earlier.

AUBURN, Wash. - Trainer Tim McCanna had about five hours for quiet contemplation on Thursday morning as he was returning to Emerald Downs from his home in Spokane, Wash., but he didn't spend an instant plotting strategy for Willie the Cat in Sunday's Fox Sports Net Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs.

"It wouldn't matter if I did, because he's gonna go," said the trainer. "Whether there is other speed or there isn't, he's still gonna go."

The tactic has proven flawless through five starts at Emerald Downs, as Willie the Cat has never been behind a horse on this track.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The local crop of 3-year-olds finally get to run for added-money in the $40,000 City of Vancouver Stakes on Monday at Hastings.

Trainer Rob Van Overschot, who will saddle Lord Samarai, the likely favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong race, doesn't seem concerned about the late start for the 3-year-old stakes schedule. If Lord Samarai runs well, he will be heading to Alberta to run in the $100,000 Alberta Derby on June 19.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who stopped Funny Cide's 2003 Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes with Empire Maker, says he believes Smarty Jones can be mentioned in the same sentence as racing legends Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Spectacular Bid.