For someone returning to the Churchill Downs backstretch after a lengthy absence, the view can be startling. Just across the way, the ancient grandstand of this historic track in Louisville, Ky., is under major renovation, with towers, cranes, and new construction piercing the sky.

Racing fans still will recognize the Churchill Downs they have come to know and love, although that won't last much longer.

Churchill opens its fall meet Sunday as a track in transition, one where major construction is dominating the landscape. The

$120 million project, which will not be completed until early 2005, is well underway.

Truth be told, Dale Romans would gladly accept a tie every meet. Romans brings a remarkable recent record into the 30-day fall meet that begins Sunday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Although he has never been leading trainer at Churchill in the fall, Romans has tied for the title at each of the last three spring meets.

"Sure I'd take another tie, especially in the fall," said Romans, 36. "I want to run at least a couple every day. I've got a few horses that are fresh, so we should have a good month."

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Taiaslew, who has not been tested in four dominating wins in Alberta, will face eight other 2-year-olds in the $125,000 1 1/16-mile Ascot Graduation Breeders' Cup at Hastings on Sunday.

He should get a good test, with Jack Diamond Futurity winner Illusive Force and Fantasy winner Chorus Dancer entered. Weepinbell, who was very impressive winning a non-conditional allowance race Sept. 15, also figures to have a say in the outcome.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Quarter Horses take center stage at Portland Meadows on Sunday, when the track presents the $6,000-added Autumn Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at

350 yards.

Only four horses will challenge In Search of Fame, who looms a short-priced favorite off his record of 19 wins from 34 starts and more than $100,000 in earnings. In Search of Fame, a 6-year-old son of Dash Ta Fame who races for The Victory Group, has been at his toughest on this surface, winning 16 of 18 career starts here.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Julio Canani would have rather shipped this weekend to Chicago, to start a horse in the Breeders' Cup. Unfortunately for Canani, his stock was not good enough.

Next fall, it might be a different story. California-based Canani, who trained BC Mile winners Silic in 1999 and Val Royal in 2001, can stay home in 2003 when the Breeders' Cup comes to Santa Anita. By then, Canani may have genuine contenders for all three Breeders' Cup grass races.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer David Donk shoots for his third career Pilgrim win in Sunday's $75,000-added Pilgrim at Aqueduct with Rhythmic Motion. Donk won the grass race for 2-year-olds with his star Awad in 1992 and again in 1998 with Incurable Optimist.

Rhythmic Motion, who is 2 for 2, is one of 11 entered in the 1 1/8-mile Pilgrim, which doesn't feature a standout runner. Blakelock is entered for main track only. A fair amount of rain was expected early in the weekend, which will likely leave Aqueduct's turf course less than firm.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Stage Classic, a 4-year-old son of Sky Classic, will try to win the Grade 2, $279,500 Sky Classic Handicap for the second year in a row at Woodbine Sunday.

Stage Classic was prominent throughout the 1 3/8-mile Sky Classic in 2001, winning by a comfortable margin over older runners on yielding turf. Trainer Dave Cotey said he was somewhat surprised to see Stage Classic win that event.

Bien Nicole took her established Southwest form on the road Friday at Arlington and captured her fourth straight stakes, easily winning the $100,000 Estrapade over Verruma.

A 4-year-old owned by John and Kristine Richter and trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Bien Nicole showed promise last year at age 3, but hit her peak this summer. Since she was beaten a neck in a Lone Star allowance race on June 9, Bien Nicole has won five races in a row, and only once during her streak has a horse come within two lengths of her.

Riddlesdown was awarded a controversial victory Friday in the $100,000 John Henry Handicap after the Arlington Park stewards deemed first-place finisher Tap the Admiral guilty of fouling him in midstretch.

Boos rained down from the crowd as Riddlesdown was led into the winner's circle following the John Henry, a 1 3/16-mile turf race. Tap the Admiral, ridden by Edgar Prado, finished first by a length after getting a perfect stalking trip. But Riddlesdown's rider, Jorge Chavez, claimed foul and the stewards decided to reverse the order of finish.