DEL MAR, Calif. - It was Hall of Fame connections that won the two divisions of the Oceanside Stakes on Wednesday's opening day at Del Mar.

Jockey Julie Krone (induction class of 2000) rode her career first winner at Del Mar in the $84,300 second division aboard Devious Boy. Earlier, Sweet Return gave trainer Ron McAnally (class of 1990) his third winner in the Oceanside in the last five years.

The program drew a crowd 40,682, the highest opening-day attendance and the second-highest crowd in track history. The opening day of the 2002 meeting drew 37,439.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - The Ernest Finley Handicap, the sprint championship and a longtime staple of the Sonoma County Fair, will not be run Saturday.

Only six were nominated to the six-furlong race and only four entered. Racing secretary Greg Brent said he talked with fair manager Jim Moore about rescheduling the race, which is listed as an overnight stakes. It will be rescheduled for Thursday.

Crowned King will finally get to run in his backyard Saturday, when he starts as the 121-pound highweight in the $50,000 Bossier City Handicap at Louisiana Downs.

The last time Crowned King ran at this track was in October, when he won the $40,000 Minstrel.

After that race, Crowned King hit the road, running in stakes at Keeneland, Fair Grounds, Delta Downs, Oaklawn, Lone Star Park and Thistledown.

After a win and two losses in graded stakes, Go Rockin' Robin returns to the statebred ranks in Saturday's $125,000-added New York Derby at Finger Lakes.

Seven 3-year-old New York-breds were entered in the New York Derby, the middle leg of the Big Apple Triple. Bossanova, who won the first race in the series, the Mike Lee at Belmont Park in June, is sidelined with an injury.

Go Rockin' Robin and Spite the Devil are the only graded winners in the New York Derby, which will be run at 1 1/16 miles.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Jockey Rene Douglas rode seven winners on Arlington's Thursday card, the biggest day for a rider here since Pat Day won eight of nine races on Sept. 13, 1989.

In his first start in nearly 12 months, Magic Weisner finished last in a six-horse field in an optional claimer at Laurel Park on opening day of the summer meet Thursday.

Last year, Magic Weisner finished second in the Preakness at 45-1. After finishing second in the Haskell, he contracted West Nile virus and spent several months recuperating at an equine clinic in Pennsylvania.

In his return, Magic Weisner, the 6-5 favorite, trailed the field throughout the seven-furlong race after a slow break. He was beaten 21 lengths by the winner, Inner Harbour ($4.60).

MIAMI - Over the past several months, The Name's Bond has quietly proven himself to be among the top 3-year-olds on the grounds. On Saturday he will get an opportunity to make some real noise if he can upset Supah Blitz in Calder's $50,000 Roman Brother Stakes.

The Roman Brother is on turf at 1 1/16 miles. The race drew a field of six and is restricted to 3-year-olds who have been kept eligible for the Florida Stallion Stakes program.

Despite winning four races and more than $300,000 in her first

13 starts, Alternate was something of a disappointment, both for trainer Graham Motion and the bettors who heavily supported her race after race.

As a 3-year-old last season, Alternate won Delaware Park's Go for Wand Stakes at

1 1/16 miles on dirt in only the fourth start of her career. But in her next nine races, including three graded stakes, Alternate was the beaten favorite six times - four at less than even-money.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - There is no rain in the forecast for Aug. 4, B.C. Cup Day at Hastings, but there is a good chance that it could be "Snowing."

Trainers Mel, John, and Daryl Snow all have horses that figure to be major factors in their respective races, and Mel and John are hoping for a replay of last weekend, when they each won stakes on the Sunday card.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Here in paradise, summertime horseplayers have few reasons to complain. Whether it is morning surf or afternoon turf, a fellow can find just about everything he needs in Del Mar.

If the opening-day card was not particularly profitable, why worry? There are seven more weeks of racing and gambling on the seaside roller coaster. Grab hold - it's a wild ride. Assuming 2003 will be similar to seasons past, the lucky breaks and bad beats are sure to even out. Usually, sensible handicapping will compensate for the times when a handicapper is just plain wrong.