ARCADIA, Calif. - Bobby Frankel had the last laugh after all. The trainer kept Medaglia d'Oro out of Saturday's $1 million because he was not satisfied with the weights, but he still won the race with Milwaukee Brew, who became only the second horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap twice, joining the legendary John Henry.

Milwaukee Brew was kept surprisingly close to the lead by jockey Edgar Prado, but the strategy paid off. A moderate pace prevented the late runners from gaining any appreciable ground, as Milwaukee Brew and Congaree had a torrid battle down the stretch.

Champali, ridden by Jason Lumpkins, passed several crucial tests Saturday when he improved his career record to 6 for 7 by winning the $100,000 at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Not only did Champali overcome the far outside post in the field of nine 3-year-olds, but he also raced one of the most accomplished opponents of his career, Grey Comet, into defeat turning for home.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Great Notion mastered two turns in his first attempt when he pulled away to a nine-length win over Alke in the $75,000 for 3-year-olds at Oaklawn Park.

It was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to favorite Comic Truth.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Elegant Designer had to work a lot harder than she did in her previous races to capture the $81,450 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct, her fourth consecutive victory.

Elegant Designer, the 3-2 favorite in the seven-horse field of 3-year-old fillies, was a head winner over Xtra Heart. It was another neck back to Xtra Heart's entrymate, Virgin Voyage, in third.

Cyber Secret, Golden Damsel, Formal Dancer, and Bavarian Girl completed the order of finish.

Cherokee's Boy ($3) erased any doubts about his ability to handle two turns when he drew off to a 7 1/2-length victory in the $75,000 Deputed Testamony Stakes for 3-year-olds at Laurel Park.

Although Cherokee's Boy has won 5 of 10 starts, including four stakes, the 1 1/16-mile Deputed Testamony was his first victory beyond seven furlongs.

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Joe Judice and Jesus Castanon, the two leading riders at Tampa Bay Downs, have pulled away from their competitors in the battle for the top jockey spot.

Judice, by virtue of 11 winners in the last 10 racing days, has moved out in front with 70 wins, four more than Castanon, who is winning at a 23 percent clip.

Judice is represented by jockey agent Frank "the Greek" Garoufalis, and Don Hill has Castanon's book.

Judice and Castanon are in top form right now, and both say they are committed to staying at Tampa until the end of the meeting.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Poor weather conditions will delay the opening of Aqueduct's main track until March 14, two days later than originally planned. During the delay, racing will be conducted on the inner track.

Management said the postponement will provide Jerry Porcelli, the New York Racing Association's track superintendent, and his crew with additional time to work on the main track, which has been encrusted in ice for most of the winter.

NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana Derby picked up two more prospective starters, when the connections of Peace Rules and Defrere's Vixen announced their intentions to run in the race.

There now are seven probable runners for the Grade 2, $750,000 Derby on Sunday. Badge of Silver and Kafwain will be the favorites, with Funny Cide, a troubled fifth in the Holy Bull in his last start, shipping in from Florida. Also expected to run are Lone Star Sky, second to Badge of Silver in the Risen Star; and Prince Alphie, a winner of two straight route races.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - When Mark Hennig left trainer D. Wayne Lukas to go out on his own in 1992, his first big horse was Star of Cozzene, who went on to win three Grade 1 turf stakes.

Since then, most of Hennig's success has come with dirt horses. Now, thanks to an infusion of stock from Sheikh Maktoum al Maktoum's Gainsborough Farm, Hennig may be back in the turf business.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Mark Hennig plans to run his top sprinter, Gygistar, in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba on March 29, but he's not sure if the 4-year-old gelding needs another prep before then.

If the answer is yes, then Gygistar will start in Saturday's $200,000 Richter Scale Breeders' Cup Handicap at Gulfstream Park. If the answer is no, then Gygistar will have another work or two at Gulfstream before boarding a plane on March 15 for the trip to Dubai.