LEXINGTON, Ky. - Contrary to what the race name might imply, royal bloodlines are not a prerequisite to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. In fact, exceptional recent form overrides pedigree, and even more importantly, a huge effort on race day is the best weapon of all.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Tony Reinstedler was asked if there is anything markedly different about Sand Springs.

"Naw," said Reinstedler. "She's just crazy."

Crazy and fast. Sand Springs is one of two fillies that Reinstedler will saddle Saturday on behalf of owner Peter Willmott for the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland. Aud, a late-running filly whose style is in direct contrast to the headstrong Sand Springs, is the other.

CHICAGO - A federal investigation is targeting a $750,000 grant given to Sportsman's Park by the state of Illinois. A report in the Chicago Tribune said a federal grand jury is looking into the propriety of the grant, which was awarded by the administration of Gov. George Ryan and paid out in early January, after horse racing and automobile racing operations had ceased at Sportsman's.

MIAMI - History will be made the moment Sir Oscar and French Village step into the starting gate for Saturday's $400,000 In Reality and $400,000 My Dear Girl Stakes, respectively. The two undefeated 2-year-olds are the first two horses to attempt to sweep divisions of the Stallion Stakes on the same day, and they can add their names to a list of only five other juveniles who have swept their division in the 22-year history of the series.

Saturday is Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park, a showcase for the best in the state. But that can't stop a classy Pennsylvania-bred from being favored in the richest race on the card, the $200,000 Maryland Million Classic.

Docent, a 5-year-old son of the Maryland stallion Waquoit, is 3-5 on the morning line against eight other horses. He brings a record of 14 wins in 26 starts into the Classic, which he won last year by two lengths, and his off-the-pace style gives him a great chance in the 1 3/16-mile Classic.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Roberto's Mango went from a nondescript claimer to a stakes winner when she was switched from dirt to turf last winter.

The remarkable turnaround of a filly who could have been claimed for $32,000 a year ago this week can continue Saturday, when she starts as the 118-pound highweight in the $100,000 Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap at Santa Anita.

"She's surprised me the way she's turned out," trainer Julio Canani said.

The switch to turf has made most of the difference.

CHICAGO - Last winter, San Dare was one of the best turf mares at Gulfstream Park. Now it is autumn, and San Dare is coming to Hawthorne, where trainer Rick Hiles will find out if a break from racing has breathed life back into her career.

But even if she returns sharp, San Dare is no lock to win the $150,000 Indian Maid Handicap here Saturday. Standing squarely in her path is the now horse, Janeian.

San Dare and Janeian join five others, most notably Delmonico Cat, in the Indian Maid, a 1 1/16-mile race over Hawthorne's grass course.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - No owner has dominated the Cup and Saucer Stakes like Sam-Son Farm, which has won the 1 1/16-mile turf race for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds an astounding 13 times.

Mark Frostad trained three of those winners, including first-time starter Atlantic Fury in 2001. Shoal Water made his debut in last year's running and finished a close second for Frostad, who entered a trio of Sam-Son runners in this year's edition Saturday at Woodbine: Silver Ticket, Rainbows for Luck, and Moonlight Duel.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The best field of the year at Hastings has been assembled for Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Ballerina Breeders' Cup.

Nine of the 10 horses entered in the 1 1/8-mile Ballerina are stakes winners, including the 2002 horse of the year in British Columbia, Elana d'Amour, and this year's B.C. Breeders' Cup Oaks winner, Raylene. Also entered are Shelby Madison, who has finished first in the last four middle-distance stakes for fillies and mares at Hastings, and Dancewithavixen, the Oaks runner-up and a six-time stakes winner in 2003.

EDMONTON, Alberta - The region's top 2-year-old filly will be decided when Bears Little Angel and Classa Red Wine head a field of nine in Saturday's $40,000 Freedom of the City at one mile.

Bears Little Angel appears to have an edge on Classa Red Wine after beating him by 4 1/2 lengths in the restricted Sturgeon River three weeks ago.

Saturday's distance, the farthest the juvenile fillies have gone this year, should be another advantage for Bears Little Angel. In earlier stakes, Bears Little Angel had a second in the Bird of Pay and a third in the Sales.