ALBANY, Calif. - It didn't take Rosario Aguilar long to pick up her first official win as a trainer.

Gold Crusader, only the third horse Aguilar started, delivered her first victory in Wednesday's eighth race at Golden Gate Fields. The 5-year-old Gold Crusader came from last to win a $6,250 claimer at one mile by three lengths.

Aguilar, 51, a native of Guatemala, has been around the racetrack for 10 years and has assisted in the training of some horses that she owns. She took her trainer's test in November and passed it.

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - Saturday's $125,000-added Johnie L. Jamison Stakes, for New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs, is a new race on the Sunland calendar, named for a horseman who trained on this circuit for more than 40 years and died during the summer.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Xtra Heat begins a new era when she runs in Saturday's $75,000-added Garland of Roses at Aqueduct, and she also reacquaints herself with an old friend.

The sprinting sensation will carry the silks of her new owner, S. David Plummer, in the Garland of Roses. Plummer's ClassicStar privately purchased the 4-year-old Xtra Heat last month in Kentucky for $1.5 million after she failed to reach her reserve price at Fasig-Tipton's November sale.

Xtra Heat was sold after finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Arlington Park on Oct. 26.

MIAMI - George Weaver spent 11 years as assistant to trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Todd Pletcher. And with that background, it's no wonder it took Weaver only three tries after striking out on his own to saddle his first winner, First Spear, in Thursday's fifth race at Calder.

"It's always good to get the first one out of the way," said Weaver. "It takes a lot of pressure off."

NEW ORLEANS - There are whole philosophies about the cyclical nature of events. They apply to horse racing in general, and to Rock Slide in particular. A regally bred colt with the bearing of a champion, Rock Slide has fallen as many times as he has risen. Now Rock Slide has cycled back to another stakes attempt in Sunday's Tenacious Handicap at Fair Grounds, where he will try once again to live up to his appearance and breeding.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Yesss, a winner of two stakes in two added-money appearances at last year's abbreviated meeting, will take on the red-hot Cigi and four other challengers in Sunday's one-mile allowance feature at Portland Meadows.

HOUSTON - It's no surprise that Kentucky and Florida will field the two strongest favorites on Saturday's inaugural, $1.65 million Great State Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park: The two states produce the nation's largest foal crops and have the deepest talent pools from which to draw. In Kentucky's corner is Take Charge Lady, who will be the odds-on choice to win the $275,000 Distaff, while Florida's strength lies with standout Forbidden Apple in the $275,000 Turf.

HOUSTON - His last six Beyer Speed Figures are imposing indeed: 110, 107, 109, 107, 108, and 108. But partly because Forbidden Apple did not win any of those six races, the opposition has not shied from him for the Great State Challenge Turf at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday.

HOUSTON - The roller-coaster ride that has been trainer Ken McPeek's year may finally come to an end Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park. McPeek's journey has been so glorious - yet so bumpy - that he will be saddened, but undoubtedly relieved, when it's over.

"This will be our last big weekend of the year," McPeek said Thursday.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The field for Saturday's $100,000 Queens County Handicap at Aqueduct is very similar to that of last month's Stuyvesant Handicap. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens hopes his Snake Mountain can get a similar trip and result in the Grade 3 Queens County.

In the Stuyvesant, Snake Mountain received a ground-saving trip under Jose Santos, who waited for an opening along the rail turning for home and guided his horse on through en route to a half-length victory over Windsor Castle.