Jockey Donnie Meche, who this spring was suspended a year for failing to do his best to win a trial race at Delta Downs, had his request for a license renewal denied Monday by the Louisiana Racing Commission. His license expired June 30.

Meche, who was granted a stay from the suspension in a district court in June, had sought a license from Louisiana Downs stewards on July 3, but they recommended he not be granted one at that time. He took his case to the commission, and after testimony was heard, was denied in a 4-2 vote Monday.

Louisiana Downs, which installed 905 slot machines in May, received approval on Monday for an expanded Thoroughbred meet next year that will overlap with much of the racing season at neighboring Lone Star Park.

Louisiana Downs was awarded 102 dates for Thoroughbreds from May 14 to Oct. 31 in 2004, an increase of 22 dates over 2003. The track was also granted its first Quarter Horse meet, which will run 20 days from Nov. 10 to Dec. 12.

DEL MAR, Calif. - King Robyn can become the first horse to win a stakes at each Thoroughbred meeting in Southern California in 2003 when he starts in Wednesday's $75,000 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar.

King Robyn, 3, has won 4 of 7 starts this year and earned $207,350.

Owned by Cornejo Racing and trained by Jeff Mullins, King Robyn won the San Pedro Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita in March. In his next start, he won the Harry Henson Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park in late April.

EDMONTON, Alberta - Owner-trainer Clint Willson thought the 1 5/16 miles of the $40,000 Westerner might be too far for Kalfaari, Manitoba's reigning horse of the year. As it turns out, his suspicions proved correct. Kalfaari finished fifth in the Westerner last Friday, ending an eight-race winning streak.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Clouds of Gold, third in the recent Belle Mahone Stakes, will be tough to overhaul in Wednesday's Woodbine headliner, an $80,000 optional claimer worth $79,400.

Clouds of Gold, a 4-year-old by Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold, has hit the board in 6 of 8 career starts. She was claimed from her winning debut Nov. 1 by the partnership of trainer Ken Parsley and the Valiant Stable, then capped her 2002 campaign by running second in a 1 1/16-mile allowance.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - In his day, Angel Cordero was the undisputed king of Saratoga, winning 11 consecutive riding titles and 14 overall. But even Cordero could not do what his protege John Velazquez has done at this meet.

When Velazquez won Sunday's second race aboard Read the Footnotes, it was his 42nd win of the meet. That eclipsed Manny Ycaza's record of 41 wins during a 24-day meet, set in 1959. Velazquez went on to win two more races Sunday and one on Monday to finish the first 24 days of the meet with 45 victories from 147 mounts.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Three consecutive wins have prepared Solar Echo for her stakes debut in Sunday's $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, but the turf race is not an easy spot for an attempt at her first major win.

"We're running with the big girls now," trainer Ron McAnally said.

Run over 1 1/8 miles, the Grade 1 Oaks will draw a strong field.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Soaring Free's future was permanently altered last fall, when he was gelded the day after his final start of the season.

But for performance, at least, the change has been for the better as Soaring Free hasn't lost a race this season and is headed to the Sept. 14 Atto Mile after recording his third straight turf stakes score here in last Saturday's seven-furlong Play the King.

"We always loved him," said Mark Frostad, who trains Soaring Free for Sam-Son Farm. "He had a lot of talent. He was just a bit of a squirrel when he was a colt."

Cactus Ridge validated his two victories against lesser company, drawing off to a 6 1/2-length victory under Eddie Martin Jr. in the $98,750 Ellis Park Juvenile in Henderson, Ky.

Cactus Ridge sped straight to the lead and never looked back. He remains unbeaten in three starts. He paid $5.40 as favorite in a field of nine 2-year-olds.

Proper Prado, a 25-1 shot, rallied for second, while Lightnin N Thunder was another 4 1/4 lengths back in third.

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Golden Rhythm rallied strongly under Kirk LeBlanc to capture the $50,000 Sangue Handicap at Louisiana Downs. Due to Win Again finished a neck back in second, followed by Milligram.

LeBlanc kept Golden Rhythm ($8) well off the early fractions set by Sheza Nasty Lady before ranging up three wide to challenge in the second turn of the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares. Due to Win Again also lodged a bid with a quarter-mile remaining and proved stubborn in the long stretch battle. The final time was 1:41.89 on firm going.