ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Mac Benson had plenty to celebrate here on Sunday when Nashinda and Inish Glora, his only two starters on the card, won their respective allowance tests.

And the victories by Nashinda and Inish Glora were of more than immediate importance because both were tuning up for rich races down the road.

"Everything went according to plan, for a change," said Benson, who is pointing Nashinda for the $500,000 Labatt Woodbine Oaks on June 13 and Inish Glora for the $250,000 Nassau here June 5.

Douglas Donn has resigned as chairman of Gulfstream Park, the parent company of the track, Magna Entertainment Corp., announced on Tuesday.

Donn, 57, had served as chairman since 2000, shortly after he was replaced as the track president.

Donn said that he plans to spend more time working with Community Bank of Broward, a company he has been involved with for 2 1/2 years. Donn also said he hopes to return to the pari-mutuel industry next year as a consultant.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Even when Ajedrez was beating everything they threw at him last summer at Arlington Park, his trainer at the time, Wayne Catalano, tended to dampen expectations. When Ajedrez left town to try the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont in late September, there was no bluster to Catalano's bearing, the way there is when he feels, deep down, a horse is going to go out and do something good. In the Vosburgh, Ajedrez barely got out of a gallop, finishing ninth, and it is almost as though he has yet to fully recover from the trip.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Trainer Neil Howard took a couple of shots along the Triple Crown trail with Breakaway and found out what he needed to know. Duly regrouped following those non-contending efforts, Breakaway is back with racing's rank-and-file as part of the Thursday co-feature at Churchill Downs.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - A horseman doesn't have to be on the Derby trail to be excited about a talented 3-year-old colt.

Although Thursday's feature at Bay Meadows is only a first-level allowance sprint for 3-year-olds, local horsemen have reasons to be excited about each of the 11 runners in the six-furlong race.

Four runners are coming off a victory, and two others were second in their last start after having won their previous race. Two of the colts were nominated to the Triple Crown, and one has worked his way through the claiming ranks with four victories in five starts.

Two horses seeking their first win on the turf figure to attract most of the support in Thursday's featured 10th race at Louisiana Downs, a second-level allowance for older horses at about one mile.

Ba Ba Boom, who eked out a narrow victory in a first-level allowance at Oaklawn in his last start, may start as the favorite despite never having run on the grass. A 4-year-old son of Maria's Mon, Ba Ba Boom has finished first or second in three of his last four starts, and appears to be the lone speed. John Jacinto will ride for trainer Cole Norman.

Tyger River, second in the Jersey Lily Stakes at Sam Houston two starts ago, is one of several contenders in Thursday's wide-open feature at Lone Star, a second-level allowance with a $40,000 claiming option for fillies and mares at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Claimed for $10,000 by trainer Laurie Smith in October, Tyger River has earned more than double that amount since, winning twice in five starts this year. Following her runner-up finish in the Jersey Lily, Tyger River was a close third in a third-level allowance over the Lone Star turf on April 28.

AUBURN, Wash. - Portland Meadows sharpster Star of Elttaes will take on five rivals in Thursday's best race at Emerald Downs, a six-furlong optional $25,000 claiming race for older sprinters.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - It's a great time for exuberance in racing. The largest two-day pick six carryover in track history - $708,235 - is up for grabs Wednesday at Hollywood Park, where at least $3 million more is expected to be wagered on the bet. Racing may be two-thirds of the way to a Triple Crown, but fans face a more immediate drama on Wednesday - stringing together six straight winners.

The two-day carryover is the highest at Hollywood since May 19, 1999, when $2.3 million was wagered in pursuit of a $638,713 carryover.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Southern Image, who extended his winning streak to five with a victory in the Grade 1 Pimlico Special on Friday, is likely to have a busy campaign in California and Kentucky this summer.

Trainer Mike Machowsky is considering the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill on June 12, the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 10, and the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22.