FORT ERIE, Ontario - Three years ago, trainer Wilf Jones had a great season at Fort Erie, winning 24 races at a 26 percent clip. The star of his barn was La Picotte, a mare who, with five victories, helped Jones reach fifth place in the trainer standings.

But the following year, Jones's production collapsed to seven wins, and then last year to six. The once hefty win percentage dropped to an ordinary 10 and 11.

AUBURN, Wash. - It's not so much that Youcan'ttakeme scared away the competition for Sunday's Son of Briartic Stakes. It's more that there wasn't much eligible competition to scare away.

ELMONT, N.Y. - An eight-horse string of John Ward-trained horses - including the Grade 1 winner Sky Mesa - arrived at Belmont Park from Keeneland Thursday morning.

Also on the van that arrived shortly after 6 a.m. were graded stakes winners Hero's Tribute, Forest Secrets, and Snow Dance. The latter is entered in Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Sheepshead Bay Handicap here at 1 3/8 miles on turf. Donna Ward, John's wife and assistant, will oversee the New York string.

ELMONT, N.Y. - As strong as his barn is overall, there is no division in which Bobby Frankel is more potent than with his female turf horses. Of Frankel's 25 graded stakes victories this year, nine have come from seven different fillies and mares.

The best of the bunch could be Lilac Queen, who looks to remain undefeated in North America when she heads a nine-horse field entered in Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Sheepshead Bay Handicap run at 11 furlongs over Belmont Park's inner turf course.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Since last fall, Crafty C.T. has lost graded stakes to such notable horses as Aldebaran, Congaree, and Orientate. Respectively, they represent two of the top older horses in training this year and the 2002 champion sprinter.

The competition will be easier when the 5-year-old Crafty C.T. attempts to end a five-race losing streak in Saturday's $75,000 Ack Ack Handicap at Hollywood Park.

"I'm supposed to win this, I guess," trainer Howard Zucker said.

AUBURN, Wash. - Bisbee's Prospect drops out of the stakes ranks to head a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in Saturday's Emerald Downs feature, a $50,000 optional claiming race at six furlongs.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Lord Nelson figures to get the perfect stalking trip behind a hotly contested pace in the $40,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint at Hastings on Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong race for older horses also drew Diglett, who beat Lord Nelson by a nose in the George Royal Stakes May 10.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club goes as the eighth race. Also on the 10-race card is the $40,000 Klondike Handicap for 3-year-olds going 6 1/2 furlongs.

CALGARY, Alberta - Saturday's 15th running of the Lilac, a one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies at Stampede Park, drew just five entrants, headed by 122-pound highweight Raylene.

Leading rider Dave Wilson retains the mount aboard Raylene, Alberta's champion juvenile filly last year, who just toyed with her rivals in the six-furlong Mount Royal over a "slow" surface here May 11. Wilson kept Raylene in reserve early, and she won drawing off by 6 1/4 lengths.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Langfuhr, who won three Grade 1 stakes in New York, is among this year's nominees for induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Four Thoroughbreds and three people are among the nominees announced Thursday. The 16 selection committee members vote for two nominees in each category, people and horses. Candidates need 75 percent of the votes to qualify for induction.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The weight spread from high to low is a mere four pounds, a revealing statistic. Nine seasoned turf horses will clash Saturday in the $100,000 Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs, and it is difficult to determine where to start in picking a winner, let alone a wagering favorite.