VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Roscoe Pito should have things his own way when he faces seven others in Sunday's Grade 3, $100,000 Premier's at Hastings, and if he can handle the taxing 11-furlong distance, he will be very tough to beat.

EDMONTON, Alberta - An optional claimer for older horses at 1 1/16 miles is Sunday's feature at Northlands.

Seven-year-old Code Name Fred, Alberta's champion older horse in 2000, is coming off a victory in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint at 11-1. Quincy Welch has the return mount from post 6.

Code Name Fred beat a similar group three races ago at a mile.

Bubblegum Kid, who won the Speed to Spare a year ago, is looking for his first score of the year. In his last four races he has a second, two thirds, and a fourth.

FRESNO, Calif. - My Captain, who has scored two straight stakes victories, and Beyond Brilliant, a multiple stakes winner who returned to his winning ways in his last start, top a field of seven in the $50,000 Bull Dog Stakes at the Big Fresno Fair on Sunday.

An additional $10,000 was added to the purse and a California-bred restriction was lifted this year in hopes of attracting a strong field for the lone Thoroughbred stakes of the meeting.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Grade 3, 1 3/8-mile British Columbia Premier's, which runs Sunday at Hastings, is supposed to be the premier race for 3-year-olds and up in the province. Traditionally, it's also the first time 3-year-olds take on older horses here, and the last two renewals have been won by 3-year-olds (Shacane in 2002 and Fancy As in 2001).

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Ten-year-old Major Zee, after being shut out in his six 2002 starts, has once again found his way to the winner's circle.

On Tuesday, Major Zee scored for the fourth time since he began his new season five starts ago on July 28. Mark Fournier, who was licensed as a trainer just last October, is the one who has put the gelding on the right path.

Fournier, a 32-year-old native of nearby Welland, was offered Major Zee to train early in the year. Major Zee had wintered on a farm and had been off for six months.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Some seem ready to concede Sunday's Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Woodbine to Dream About, who is coming off an impressive win in the 1 1/16-mile Mazarine for trainer Josie Carroll.

But Ken Parsley, while having a healthy respect for the favorite, is not among them.

Parsley is the trainer of My Vintage Port, who is the star of his six-horse stable and will break from post 4 under regular rider Jono Jones in the field of seven Canadian-bred 2-year-old fillies for the 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth.

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.