HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - This Guns for Hire proved he was stakes caliber by finishing third in the Grade 2 Pegasus Handicap at The Meadowlands last fall. But before trainer John Terranova considers another stakes, he would like to see This Guns for Hire win a second-level allowance race, such as Thursday's feature at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Although his record as a Thoroughbred trainer does not yet reflect it, Michael Matz knows all about the big time.

Matz, 51, began training about five years ago, but only after he retired from a spectacular career as one of the most accomplished equestrian riders in North America. Representing the U.S., he participated in the Olympics three times, the Pan American games four times, and the World Championships three times.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Trainer Cole Norman moved his stable into Oaklawn Park about two weeks later than usual this year, but is settled in now and will begin his quest for a third straight training title at the track when its 55-day meet opens on Friday.

A record purse structure of $235,000 to $240,000 a day is in place for the winter session, and it has helped lure horses from a host of new stables. Among them are trainers John Veitch, Blackie Huffman, Noel Hickey, Robert Klesaris, Scooter Dickey, Larry Jones, Joe Woodard, Mike Tomlinson, and Kelly Von Hemel.

NEW ORLEANS - Three in a row isn't bad for a castoff. Thursday in the Fair Grounds featured ninth race, Almuhathir will try to make it four.

Almuhathir is the property of the Shadwell Farm of Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, one of the ruling family of Dubai. Shadwell is located outside Lexington, Ky., but Shadwell's cream of the crop generally races in Dubai and Europe.

NEW ORLEANS - Trainer Tom Amoss confirmed graded stakes winner Lone Star Sky as a starter in the Lecomte Stakes, but the horse's participation should come as no surprise. Just about everybody else is running, too.

As many as 12 horses could wind up in Saturday's $100,000 Lecomte. The one-mile race, a Grade 3 for the first time this year, is Fair Grounds's first 3-year-old stakes of the season, followed by the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby. The Grade 2, $750,000 Louisiana Derby carries a $1 million bonus if its winner also wins the Kentucky Derby.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The first month of the Santa Anita meeting has been trainer Jeff Mullins's most successful since moving here from Arizona in 2001.

Through Monday, Mullins's 30-horse barn had produced seven winners, good enough for a tie for second place with Bobby Frankel in the trainer standings, a win behind the leader, Bob Baffert.

Mullins has three starters on Thursday, including two in the pick six races, which have a carryover from Monday of $149,416.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Johar extended his winning streak to three in Monday's $150,000 at Santa Anita, a victory that may have long-reaching consequences for the turf division in California.

Not only did the 4-year-old Johar beat older horses for the first time, but he also easily handled his first attempt beyond 1 1/8 miles.

"I think by the end of the year, we'll be pretty excited," winning trainer Richard Mandella said. "He's just getting stronger as he goes. I'm very optimistic about the rest of the year."

ALBANY, Calif. - Francisco Duran made the most of his bug at Golden Gate Fields. In his final ride as an apprentice on Saturday, he rode Crafty M.D. to victory.

"I was trying to get the most I could out of my bug," Duran said. "I was fortunate to win my last race."

Duran then got his first two victories as a journeyman with back-to-back wins aboard Neon Queen and Hit the Press on Monday. Later on Monday, he missed by a head aboard 47-1 shot Let's Bail.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - For Greg Martin, fewer horses has meant more wins.

Martin, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Frank "Pancho'' Martin, is enjoying a career meet with nine wins from 29 starters since Aqueduct's inner track opened on Dec. 4. Since Jan. 12, Martin has five wins and a second from seven starters. Martin is tied with Bruce Levine for fourth in the standings behind Gary Contessa (16), Richard Dutrow Jr. (12), and Bob Barbara (10).

ARCADIA, Calif. - Johar extended his winning streak to three in Monday's $150,000 at Santa Anita, a victory that may have long-reaching effects on the turf division in California.

Not only did the 4-year-old Johar beat older horses for the first time, but he easily handled his first attempt beyond 1 1-8 miles.

"I think by the end of the year, we'll be pretty excited," said winning trainer Richard Mandella said. "He's just getting stronger as he goes. I'm very optimistic about the rest of the year."