ARCADIA, Calif. - The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California wants Santa Anita to change the conditions of the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap in 2004 from a handicap to a race with equal weights.

The proposal has been made in the past by the TOC and met with resistance from Santa Anita officials. Both sides are unlikely to change their views before this summer when discussions are held on the agreement that determines purse distribution and the stakes schedule for the 2003-04 winter/spring meeting.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Kafwain, one of the nation's top 3-year-olds, was disqualified Friday from his second-place finish in the $750,000 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 9 because a postrace urine test revealed an excess amount of clenbuterol, a bronchial dilator.

Under the ruling, made by the Louisiana State Racing Commission, Kafwain's owner, The Thoroughbred Corp., must forfeit the $150,000 runner-up purse. Trainer Bob Baffert was fined $1,000.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Buddy Gil and Atswhatimtalknbout ran impressive races when finishing first and second in the San Felipe Stakes on March 16, but they will have no shortage of challengers when they reappear in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.

As of Friday, a field of eight or nine was expected for the Santa Anita Derby, which is run over 1 1/8 miles.

The Santa Anita Derby is the richest Triple Crown prep in California and a vital race for West Coast horses preparing for the Kentucky Derby.

Del Mar has made only minor revisions to the stakes program for its 43-day summer meeting from July 23 to Sept. 10, changing the dates of some major stakes, the conditions of two races for California-breds, and adding $50,000 from the Breeders' Cup to the purse of the Palomar Handicap for fillies and mares on turf.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - When you're the Horse of the Year, you've got to carry weight in handicap races. But what's the standard when the horse in question is making her first start of the year in a Grade 1?

Pat Pope, racing secretary at Oaklawn Park, answered that question Friday when he assigned Azeri top weight of 123 pounds for Saturday's $500,000 Apple Blossom.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The second renewal of the $250,000 Aventura Stakes at Gulfstream may not have Kentucky Derby ramifications. But it could prove a stepping-stone to bigger and better things later in the year for several promising 3-year-olds.

The Aventura is one of two stakes races here next Saturday, along with the $100,000 Artax Handicap.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There are those who believe you can't go home again.

But not Toronto-born Danny Vella, who has spent the last five years as owner-breeder Frank Stronach's main man at Stronach's Florida farm Adena Springs South. Vella is returning to Woodbine to train horses for Stronach.

Assistant trainers Greg Broadhurst and Richie Purcell, both of whom were with Vella in Florida, are holding the fort here until the head trainer's arrival.

ALBANY, Calif. - Sunday marks the close of the Golden Gate Fields meet.

It also marks the end of jockey Kevin Krigger's California sojourn.

Krigger, a 20-year-old native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, is heading to Florida to ride at Calder Race Course.

"Calder was my second option last year when I chose to go to Southern California to ride," he said.

PORTLAND, Ore. - For some horses, Sunday's six-furlong Governor's Speed Stakes will serve as a final prep for the $35,000 Portland Meadows Mile on April 27. For others, it will be the last chance at the meeting to win stakes money sprinting.

Yesss, who has been pointing to the Portland Meadows Mile throughout a season in which he has won all three of his route starts, certainly is among those targeting the Mile. But that doesn't mean he will simply be stretching his legs on Sunday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The security restrictions that went into effect for the Kentucky Derby last year will be in place again at Churchill Downs for the 129th Derby on May 3. Bottles, cans, grills, backpacks, and umbrellas are among the items that will not be allowed, and patrons will be subject to magnetic wand searches as they enter.

One change this year is that all Churchill personnel are being required to undergo background checks.

The security plans also will apply on May 2, Kentucky Oaks Day.