LEXINGTON, Ky. - Commendation has a lot more to do to even approach what his highly decorated sibling has accomplished, but at least he's off to a good start. As a 2-year-old half-brother to Take Charge Lady, Commendation can keep heading in a positive direction Friday in the $100,000 Bourbon County Stakes at Keeneland.

STICKNEY, Ill. - When Breeders' Cup Juvenile contender Cactus Ridge went down with an injury last weekend, his trainer, Bret Calhoun, felt the blow. Calhoun had never trained a horse who had so much talent, and he isn't sure he ever will again. But if Calhoun wants a cushion, he can look at his Hawthorne meet as a whole. Through Sunday, Calhoun had seven wins, four seconds, and a third from just 14 starters.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Any horse with designs on handicap stakes at the just-begun Portland Meadows meet should check the name on his bridle. If it doesn't say "Lethal Grande" he should probably think again.

That was the apparent conclusion to be drawn from Saturday's six-furlong Inaugural Handicap, which the 4-year-old Lethal Grande won in an authoritative performance.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine doesn't have much of a Breeders' Cup contingent this year, the only locally based representatives being Perfect Soul and Soaring Free in the Mile.

But that won't stop the money from flowing freely here Saturday when Woodbine offers a host of Thoroughbred wagering opportunities, including simulcasts of the 12-race Breeders' Cup Day program from Santa Anita, the abbreviated cards from Belmont and Keeneland, and the full 10-race slate from Fort Erie - in addition to 11 live races.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mr. Epperson needs only a second-place finish in Friday's Woodbine feature, a six-furlong $80,000 optional claimer on grass, to surpass $1 million in career earnings.

Beginning Nov. 1, a horse who tests positive in New York for the illegal blood-enhancing agent erythropoietin will be prohibited from racing until the drug clears the horse's body, according to a rule passed by the New York York State Racing and Wagering Board at a meeting on Tuesday.

ARCADIA, Calif. - After 28 starts, mostly in claiming races, Expresso Bay has Breeders' Cup written all over him. The notion is not as absurd as it sounds.

Claimed last out by Ted H. West and owner Bruce Hochman, Expresso Bay has a long way to go before he can be compared to West's best $50,000 claims. They are rags-to-riches Budroyale, runner-up in the 1999 BC Classic, and rejuvenated former claimer Bluesthestandard, a contender Saturday in the BC Sprint. Both became graded stakes winners after being claimed.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Eight 2-year-old maiden fillies, all making their turf debuts, present an interesting challenge to handicappers at Bay Meadows on Thursday.

For half the field, the one-mile race will mark not only a first time on turf, but also a first try around two turns.

With much uncertainty surrounding the race, it should be a good betting proposition. The horse worth looking at could be Fair Millielillie.

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has given final approval for the 2004 race dates at Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park.

Indiana Downs, which will have its turf course in place for the 2004 racing season, will increase its Thoroughbred schedule from 30 dates in 2003 to 48 in 2004. The meet will run April 9 through June 20. Harness racing at the facility will begin July 1 and run through Oct. 30 for an 84-day schedule.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Although Galloping Gal ran very well to finish second in the Alcibiades Stakes, trainer Ken McPeek has seen enough of the elite of the 2-year-old filly division - at least for now.

"No Breeders' Cup," said McPeek, who trains Galloping Gal for Bill Carl. "There'll be plenty of time for that kind of stuff down the road."