ELMONT, N.Y. - After unsuccessfully chasing the nation's top turf fillies and mares at 1 3/16 miles in Chicago, Tates Creek finds a better spot when she heads an 11-horse field in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000, Noble Damsel Handicap at one mile at Belmont Park.

Following her dramatic nose victory in the Grade 2 Diana Handicap at Saratoga, Tates Creek chased Golden Apples, Astra, and England's Legend in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington. After chasing the early pace, Tates Creek tired in the stretch and finished last, beaten only 4 3/4 lengths.

Topped by the $200,000 Classic, Maryland Million Day takes center stage at Pimlico on Saturday.

The 17th Maryland Million comprises 10 races, worth a total of $1 million. The races are restricted to the progeny of Maryland-based stallions.

The 1 3/16-mile Classic, the 10th and final race on the card, has drawn 10 horses. The strong favorite and 126-pound highweight is graded stakes winner Duckhorn.

Duckhorn, a 5-year-old son of Not for Love, worked at Churchill Downs on Tuesday and was scheduled to arrive in Maryland early on Friday.

BOSSIER CITY, La. - In each of the past five years, betting on the Super Derby has been dominated by an odds-on favorite, but when Louisiana Downs runs its signature race on Saturday the money will be much more evenly distributed.

As many as four horses could vie for favoritism in the $500,000 Super Derby, which this year has been shortened in distance from 1 1/4 miles to 1 1/8 miles and downgraded to a Grade 2 after being run as a Grade 1 since 1983.

As far as September traditions in Kentucky go, it hasn't quite achieved the same standing as tobacco harvesting, high school homecomings, or pledge-night ceremonies.

But in just a few short years, the Kentucky Cup turf series has come a long way. For one September day each year, the focus of Kentucky racing is on the sprawling but otherwise forgotten terrain of Kentucky Downs, the turf-only course in Franklin that has played host to four Kentucky Cup races every year since 1998.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There could be a lot at stake for unbeaten Handpainted in Saturday's $276,500 Mazarine Breeders' Cup Stakes.

A decisive victory by Handpainted would make her a virtual shoo-in for the Sovereign Award as champion 2-year-old filly, and would likely earn her a trip to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Arlington on Oct. 26.

Seven stakes share the card with the Classic on Maryland Million Day at Pimlico Saturday.

The $100,000 Ladies, a 1 1/8-mile turf race, has some intrigue as it has attracted Obeah winner Your Out, who has never raced on the grass. In July, Your Out came within a neck of beating Summer Colony, the top older filly or mare on the East Coast, in the Grade 3 Delaware Handicap.

Graham Motion, who trains Your Out, a daughter of Allen's Prospect, said he would be delighted if the race was rained off the turf but he would run her either way.

POMONA, Calif. - Buy a horse for $50,000; start her as the the favorite in a $100,000 stakes. Sounds easy.

Ionia, a $50,000 purchase at the Barretts March sale of 2-year-olds-in-training, is the one to catch Saturday at Fairplex Park in the $100,000 Barretts Debutante.

"She'll be the speed of the speed," predicts her trainer, Chris Paasch.

A field of 10 and one also-eligible, entered the 6 1/2-furlong stakes, restricted to 2-year-old fillies who were offered for sale at Barretts. Besides Ionia, contenders include improving maidens Last Kiss and Leniently.

MIAMI - For Florida Stallion Stakes contenders such as Ivanavinalot, Heavenly Miss, and Trust N Luck, Saturday's $100,000 Brave Raj and $100,000 Foolish Pleasure Stakes will offer an opportunity to stretch out around two turns for the first time while prepping for the rich finales of the Stallion Series Oct. 12.

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Trainer Paul Nielsen was puzzled when Le Cinquieme Essai finished last in the Grade 3 Col. R.S. McLaughlin Handicap last Saturday at Woodbine.

The problem, he discovered moments after the race, was that the horse's tongue was trapped over the bit. A figure-eight nose band didn't allow the mouth to open and breathing was difficult. Jockey Brian Bochinski, sensing trouble, didn't punish his mount.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - There is bound to be trouble when 12 3-year-olds get together Saturday at Hastings in the $200,000 Grade 2, 1 1/8-mile British Columbia Derby.