LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Some horseplayers might turn up their noses at races like the one that highlights the Thursday card at Churchill Downs - but then those same people might not like change in any form.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Katdogawn and her trainer, Jim Cassidy, were short on options this winter at Santa Anita. Handicappers wagering on the Thursday card at Hollywood Park can relate.

Katdogawn is a turf sprinter who cannot route. Not well, anyway. But after a promising U.S. debut in February, the only two races Cassidy could find for Katdogawn were around two turns. Katdogawn was not disgraced in either - beaten less than five lengths - but her performances were inferior to her runner-up finish in the 6 1/2-furlong La Habra Stakes.

AUBURN, Wash. - If Tickletime and Alferrari set the table, will Victor Slew eat their lunch?

That is a key question facing handicappers in Thursday's feature race at Emerald Downs, a six-furlong sprint that has drawn a field of six $25,000 4-year-olds who have not beaten winners twice.

AUBURN, Wash. - Ema Bovary was as good as advertised in Sunday's Hastings Park Handicap at Emerald Downs, and that's saying a lot.

Trainers Larry and Sharon Ross were sky high on the Chilean-bred 4-year-old before the race, but even they had to be impressed by the ease with which she overcame a slow start to win by 2 1/4 lengths over the pacemaker Whatdidshesay in 1:14.40 for 6 1/2 furlongs.

"I thought we were going to be on the lead, but she got out of the gate so slow," said rider Roberto Gonzalez, who flew up from Bay Meadows to ride.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - On Sunday morning, Bill Morey (William E. Morey) advised Bill Morey (his father, William J. Morey Jr.) that he was entering Sempai in Thursday's feature at Bay Meadows, at which point Morey the father told Morey the son that he was entering Texas Chili.

"We figured if we could get three more, the race would go," said the younger Morey. "We just happened to talk that day. Lots of times we end up entered against each other and don't even know it."

Sempai and Texas Chili may be the horses to beat in the $50,000 optional claimer at six furlongs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Take Charge Lady, the standout filly who suffered an ill-timed bruise of her left front foot and missed the Louisville Breeders' Cup last Friday, is back in light training and could race in any of a handful of upcoming races if she continues to progress, trainer Ken McPeek said Tuesday at Churchill Downs.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Everything Azeri does is fast. The defending Horse of the Year is back on her game, and Tuesday morning at San Luis Rey Downs she produced another in a long line of sensational workouts - five furlongs in 58 seconds.

"She looked like a video tape stuck on fast forward," trainer Laura de Seroux said. "It was scary fast. But she is doing it alone, and doing it relaxed. She's definitely recovered from the Apple Blossom, and then some."

JAMAICA, N.Y. - This time, a New York bred had to win.

Lord Ofthe Thunder, last for the opening half-mile, rallied wide into the stretch and closed with determination under Javier Castellano to win Sunday's $81,325 Kings Point Handicap for New York breds by 4 1/2 lengths before a closing-day crowd of 7,634 at Aqueduct.

Mr. Determined, the longest shot on the board at 14-1 in the six-horse field, dueled for the early lead and did well to hold second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Union One. Netcong, Sophisticated Man, and Quatre Dix Neuf completed the order of finish.

Hackendiffy broke sharply under jockey Mike Rowland, sprinted to a clear lead, and then was never headed while winning the $50,000 Summit Silver Cup by 9 3/4 lengths. Forest Picnic overcame an awkward start to rally through the stretch to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Clever Jimmy C. A field of seven Ohio-bred 3-year-olds started.

Hackendiffy ($4.60) was timed in 1:46.22 for the 1 1/16 miles. Owner David Eigel said, "I would like to run him in he Ohio Derby, we'll have to wait and see, it could be in the plans."

Crossing Point ($5.40) cruised to a surprisingly easy 5 1/2-length victory in the $76,500 Panhandle Handicap at Mountaineer Park, but the big news was the poor performances by highly regarded horses from the connections of owner Michael Gill and trainer Mark Shuman.