NEW ORLEANS - Walk This Way raced close to the lead and faded in his grass debut, a fourth-place finish 15 days ago at Fair Grounds. Saturday, when it counted more, his connections changed tactics. This time, Walk This Way ran slow early and faster late, and got up to win the $100,000 Gentilly Handicap by 1 1/4 lengths over Old Lee, the favorite.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Quest Star proved he is as durable as he is talented Saturday, successfully defending his title with a half-length victory over the 7-5 favorite, Request for Parole, in the 1 1/2-mile at Gulfstream Park.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - George Weaver said he agonized over his decision to scratch Saratoga County out of the March 13 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. It was just a six-horse field, he had Jerry Bailey, and the horse didn't have to leave Florida.

All along, however, Weaver felt the Grade 3 run Saturday at Aqueduct was the better spot for Saratoga County. In the end, Weaver was right.

Von Braun held off Derby's Hellraiser for a three-quarter-length win in the $50,000 Azalea Stakes for 3-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies at Delta Downs on Friday night. It was another 4 1/4 lengths back in third to Imavikingprincess.

Von Braun ($2.60) raced a length off the pace in the early stages, took the lead in the stretch, and went on to cover five furlongs in 1:00.54. Shane Sellers rode the winner trainer Steve Asmussen.

Von Braun earned $30,000 for the win, which was her third from seven starts. She has now earned $93,400 for her owner, Jim McGuire.

Friel's for Real wasn't able to close enough ground to beat Undercover when the two met a month ago. Racing the same distance, over the same track, but with Undercover carrying seven more pounds this time, Friel's for Real ($9.40) turned the tables when she scored a decisive six-length win in the $57,250 Gala Lil at Laurel Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Monday's program at Gulfstream Park will get off to a fast start in more ways than one.

Two of the more promising and swifter 3-year-olds to have run here this winter, Harbour Gate and Wild Wadi, will square off in the first race, carded at seven furlongs under entry-level allowance conditions.

Harbour Gate was scheduled to run last Monday in the Ocala Breeders' Championship around two turns but had to be scratched after unseating jockey Pat Day and running off while en route to the starting gate.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Richard Dutrow has had little trouble transferring his inner-track success to Aqueduct's main oval. His winning ways figure to continue on Monday when Dutrow sends out Mr. Whitestone in Monday's featured third-level allowance race.

Aqueduct added Monday, normally a dark day, to the schedule after it canceled Friday's card because of inclement weather. Dutrow has four runners on the card, including It's So Simple, who drops in for a $50,000 claiming price four days after beating graded stakes winners Saarland and Snake Mountain.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Roada Ghost looms as the one to beat in Monday's best race at Portland Meadows, a six-furlong event for fillies and mares eligible to be claimed for $5,000 to $4,000.

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Trainer Joe Woodard is one of several trainers from the Kentucky circuit who are spending their first winter at Tampa Bay Downs, and thus far he likes what he has seen.

NEW ORLEANS - Storming Home has retired. Johar's career is in limbo. High Chaparral never even lived in this country. Yes, the older turf division is wobbling into the meat of the racing season. The Mervin Muniz Handicap has come at the right moment.

There are no current stars in the Muniz - just future ones. Four of the starters are 4-year-olds. Two 5-year-olds, including possible favorite , are in the midst of winter renaissances.