MIAMI - The opening divisions of Calder's Florida Stallion Stakes rarely draw the attention of trainers outside the confines of the Sunshine State. That will not be the case on Saturday when trainer George Handy ships down from his summer base at Suffolk Downs with a pair of juveniles who could provide the locals with formidable opposition in both the $75,000 Dr. Fager and $75,000 Desert Vixen stakes.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Saturday's Singapore Plate Stakes takes its name from Arlington Park's far-flung international ties. The race itself is quintessentially American.

Here is a melting pot of three former claimers, two Illinois-breds, and a horse based at tiny Fairmount Park. Not included in that hodgepodge is Sue's Good News, quite probably the best filly in the race, but a horse carrying baggage right now.

HENDERSON, Ky. - When Jon Court's reign at Ellis Park began in 1998, the man who would one day threaten to halt Court's record string of riding titles was merely trying to get enough to eat.

Rafael Bejarano, who held the lead over Court atop the jockey standings as the Ellis meet passed its midway point Wednesday, grew up in the impoverished village of Arequipa, Peru, where his entire family lived in a small room of a small house.

"My dad, mom, two sisters, and me," Bejarano, 21, said Thursday through interpreter Ramiro Torres. "Very, very poor."

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Until this year, Cindy Mustoe has largely gone unnoticed here as a trainer. Last year, she scored just one win from her 24 starters.

This year, however, she has been in the spotlight due to the exploits of her stable star, Sea Way Lady, a winner of her last four races.

Sea Way Lady, a 5-year-old mare, has lost just once this year, when she broke poorly in her season opener and finished out of the money.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - The decision to send Charming Jim to the $100,000 Sapling Stakes came easily to Calder-based trainer Ed Plesa Jr.

"I've always been partial to Monmouth Park," Plesa said. "It's one of my favorite racetracks."

The colt arrived Tuesday for Monmouth's premier 2-year-old stakes on Saturday, while Plesa touched down Thursday morning.

Charming Jim had a win and a second in two starts at Calder.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Tabacchi, the 2-year-old colt who made an impressive debut Saturday at Monmouth Park, is being pointed to the $300,000 Delaware Park NATC Stakes on Aug. 30 at six furlongs. But that target could become moot should the colt change hands in the near future.

According to trainer Terri Pompay, offers to purchase Tabacchi trickled in after his debut.

"At first, the owners weren't inclined to sell," said Pompay, who handles the negotiations on behalf of Sterling Stables. "It is a decision they have to weight carefully."

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Irish Eh will be very tough to beat in the Hastings feature Saturday, a $35,000 optional race for 3-year-olds and up that drew seven horses going 6 1/2 furlongs.

EDMONTON, Alberta - Raylene, a winner of four of five stakes ventures this year, will carry 124 pounds in Saturday's $75,000 Sonoma at 1 1/16 miles, spotting her five challengers at least six pounds.

Trained by Rod Haynes for Calmar Stables and Ranch, Raylene will have regular rider David Wilson up in the Sonoma, the premier offering for 3-year-old fillies on the Alberta circuit.

AUBURN, Wash. - Sundance Circle will be a lopsided favorite when he takes on five challengers in Saturday's $35,000 Strong Ruler Stakes, a 6 1/2-furlong test for 2-year-olds eligible for both the Northwest Stallion Series and the Northwest Race Series.

Distinct Vision, a former claimer who has easily won his last two starts, both in allowance company, seeks his first stakes win in Saturday's $100,000 Larry R. Riviello President's Cup at Philadelphia Park.

Thirteen 3-year-olds were entered in the mile and 70-yard President's Cup.

Gimmeawink, the likely favorite, has been competing in stakes all year and has been facing tougher horses. An Elusive Quality colt, Gimmeawink is tough on his home court at Delaware Park, but might be worth taking a shot against in his first start at Philadelphia Park.