OCEANPORT, N.J. - Funny Cide should get the type of stalking trip he craves. Peace Rules is fresh, just as he was for the best race of his career earlier this year. And Sky Mesa figures to improve off a deceptively fast comeback race four weeks ago in the Dwyer Stakes. But the possibility of rain for Sunday's $1 million at Monmouth Park throws a wicked curveball into the mix.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Rain was falling steadily over the Saratoga backstretch Friday morning, but the wet weather did not dampen the spirits of trainer Bobby Frankel, who will send out Empire Maker as the overwhelming favorite in Sunday's $500,000 .

"I'd rather have a wet racetrack with this horse," Frankel said. "He's already won on it twice."

EDMONTON, Alberta - Derby Duke is stepping up a notch into optional $35,000 claiming company in Sunday's feature at Northlands Park. He is coming off a 3 1/4-length win against $28,000 claimers.

A field of seven was entered for the 6 1/2-furlong sprint.

Derby Duke has two victories in three outings this year at the $28,000 level, but has not started since June 21. He will have the services of regular rider Richard Hamel.

Also appearing for the first time since June 21 is Sweet Drummer, who finished seventh in the Journal Handicap.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - A couple of horses eligible for old-age pension look very live in Sunday's feature race at Hastings, a $15,000 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles.

Find Our Star, who is 10-years-old, and Colonial Secretary, 11, might not be as good as when they were winning stakes races in their youth, but they should certainly be competitive in this

11-horse field. It also wouldn't be surprising to see Find Our Star leave the starting gate as the post-time favorite.

AUBURN, Wash. - Flying Notes, named horse of the meet last season, will face five foes in his return to action in Sunday's $50,000 Governor's Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Emerald Downs.

Flying Notes, who races for Johnny and Ruth Lewis, won 5 of 7 starts last season. A 4-year-old son of French Deputy, Flying Notes has been away since winning last September's $125,000 Emerald Breeders' Cup Derby, going nine furlongs in 1:45.80. He also captured the one-mile Seattle Slew Handicap and the

DEL MAR, Calif. - Although a mixed assortment of 11 horses was entered in the Grade 3 San Diego Handicap on Sunday at Del Mar, decisive handicappers will discover that the 1 1/16-mile race is far less confusing than it might appear.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Wando, who will be looking to capture the Canadian Triple Crown at Woodbine in Saturday's $500,000 Breeders' Stakes, had his final major tune-up for the race here Friday morning.

Wando was an easy winner of the first two legs of the series, taking the 1 1/4-mile Queen's Plate by nine lengths here June 22 and Fort Erie's Prince of Wales by four lengths on July 20.

Wando will be moving to turf, a surface on which he ran well in one try last year, and stretching out to 1 1/2 miles for the Breeders'.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Willa on the Move added her name to the list of top filly and mare sprinters in the country by registering a half-length victory over Shine Again in the Grade 3, $107,600 Honor-able Miss Handicap on a sloppy track at Saratoga on Friday.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - The Haskell Day supporting card gets off to a rousing start as Handicap star Milwaukee Brew headlines a $55,000 money-allowance in the first race Sunday at Monmouth Park.

Trainer Bobby Frankel, needing a prep for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic, opted for this spot over the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga.

Milwaukee Brew has not run since winning a second straight renewal of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March. He ran third in the 2000 Haskell.

Frankel also sends out Peace Rules in the day's featured race, the $1 million Haskell.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Funny Cide, Peace Rules, and Sky Mesa have already established themselves as Grade 1 winners. The talented trio top the seven-horse field in the $1 million Haskell Invitational Sunday at Monmouth Park.

But many handicappers, and trainer Ken McPeek, would not be shocked if the undefeated Wild and Wicked emerged from the Haskell as the latest Grade 1 winner in the 3-year-old division.

"He's never been beaten in the morning," McPeek said recently from his barn at Saratoga. "He's never been beaten in the afternoon."