Larger fields, more grass races, and wider signal availability spurred the double-digit increase in business numbers at the recently concluded Tampa Bay Downs meeting.

The 93-day meet closed Sunday with significant gains in attendance, all-sources handle, and ontrack betting on its live races.

The track had an average daily all-sources handle of $3,166,051, up 24.1 percent from last year and a record. Tampa's signal was available to customers of New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation five days a week this year, compared with three last year.

Oaklawn Park threw a party in honor of Smarty Jones on Kentucky Derby Day, and the track handled $1.8 million on incoming simulcasts, a record for off-season betting at the Hot Springs track. Attendance for the track's "Smarty Party" on Saturday was 7,500.

Smarty Jones wintered at Oaklawn this year, and won a $5 million bonus from the track after he captured the Kentucky Derby. The bonus was for the horse who could win the $200,000 Rebel Stakes, the $1 million Arkansas Derby, and the Kentucky Derby.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Among the five 3-year-old colts who will compete in Thursday's Bay Meadows feature, a $50,000 optional claimer at six furlongs, two have competed in stakes. Comebacking Razen Hazen won the Cavonnier Juvenile Stakes at Santa Rosa in his second start. Dixieland Heater set the pace in the Grade 3 Golden Gate Derby before finishing fifth.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Horses in Texas no longer have to be certified as bleeders before being placed on Lasix for the first time, according to an amended rule adopted by the Texas Racing Commission. It takes effect with entries on May 18.

The amendment enables trainers to place a horse on Lasix for the first time at the time of entry for a race, rather than going through the detailed process of proving that a horse experiences exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhaging, or bleeding.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - In many seasons, Sam-Son Farm has had several hands to play during the run-up to the Queen's Plate and the Labatt Woodbine Oaks.

But, according to Sam-Son trainer Mark Frostad, the outfit has just one of each kind for this year's June 27 running of the Queen's Plate and June 13 renewal of the Woodbine Oaks.

Burst of Fire is nominated to Saturday's $150,000 Queenston, a seven-furlong race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds that is a stepping-stone to the 1 1/4-mile Queen's Plate.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Saturday's Derby Day card at Churchill Downs had no claiming races. Thursday's card at Churchill offers the other end of the class spectrum.

The 10-race program includes five claiming races, two maiden $30,000 claiming races, two straight maiden races on turf, and one six-horse allowance field.

Carded at 1 3/8 miles on turf, the ninth race, a $56,700 three-other-than allowance, is headed by , who is coming off a runner-up finish in an allowance at Keeneland, and New Dreams, a Group 1 winner in Brazil last May.

CALGARY, Alberta - Fly Esteem stamped himself as a leading contender for the May 15 President's Stakes when he scored a wire-to-wire victory last Sunday in a major prep for the race.

Making his seasonal debut for trainer Bob Kingston, Fly Esteem was let go as fourth favorite in the field of seven and returned $16.90. The betting public devoted most of its attention to Chief Mtn, who went off as the 3-5 favorite in the six-furlong allowance.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - There is a remote chance that Kentucky Oaks winner Ashado might run in the Preakness, but the filly is far more likely to run next in the Acorn and the Mother Goose at Belmont Park, trainer Todd Pletcher said Monday.

Ashado was flown out of Louisville on Sunday, two days after she sped to a convincing 1 1/4-length triumph in the 130th Oaks.

"She bounced out of the race unbelievably well," said Pletcher. "She's full of herself. Right now, we're leaning toward keeping her against fillies."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Besides the tens of millions of dollars they spent at hotels, restaurants, and Churchill Downs, fans who jammed into Louisville for the 130th Kentucky Derby also left behind a nice little parting gift: a sizable pick six jackpot for the everyday player.

ELMONT, N.Y. - The buzz may not be the same as last spring when Belmont Park housed the reigning Kentucky Derby winner, but the 60-day spring-summer meet that begins Wednesday should have its share of excitement.

Belmont will race five days a week through July 25 and host 40 stakes worth $8.575 million. Nine of the stakes are Grade 1 events, topped, of course, by the $1 million Belmont Stakes, the third leg of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, scheduled for June 5.