Business was down again at the 22-day fall meet that ended Thursday at Turfway Park, continuing a disturbing trend that began in the late 1990's when riverboat casinos in nearby Indiana became operational alongside the northern Kentucky region in which Turfway is located.

All-sources handle averaged $3,067,184, a 9.4 percent decline from comparable figures from the 2001 fall meet, when 21 programs were run. Ontrack handle averaged $355,507, down 4.7 percent. Attendance figures do not apply because Turfway began offering free admission this fall.

Burning Roma has been stabled at Delaware Park since coming to trainer Heather Giglio's barn in June. But it's clear that The Meadowlands is where Burning Roma feels most at home.

Proving that his 6 1/4-length romp in a minor stakes three weeks ago was no fluke, Burning Roma returned to The Meadowlands on Friday night and defeated 2-1 favorite Volponi by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 2, $400,000 Meadowlands Cup. Windsor Castle finished third, 1 1/14 lengths farther back.

ANDERSON, Ind. - Bare Necessities posted the biggest win of her young career Friday night as she took the $306,400 Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks at Hoosier Park over eight other 3-year-old fillies.

Ridden by Jose Validivia, Bare Necessities settled off the early pace set by Erica's Smile over a muddy surface to stalk the pace in fourth. She moved to challenge through the far turn and caught Erica's Smile nearing the stretch before drawing off to score by eight lengths in the 1 1/16-mile race.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - This side of California, they're still trying to determine who gets to run in the Breeders' Cup Distaff in three weeks. Everyone knows that Azeri, the California dynamo, will be a heavy favorite at Arlington Park in Chicago, but it's the rest of the Distaff field that still requires assembly.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As a sudden gust of wind blew over a wooden folding chair just a few feet from her, Lisa Honeycutt expressed confidence that business would improve over the $100 or so she was selling in mutuel tickets each race.

"This weather isn't helping, and most people don't know we're out here," Honeycutt said after the fourth race Friday at Keeneland, where, for the first time, some 20 roving mutuel clerks were dispersed throughout the clubhouse and grandstand. "I'm sure it'll get better."

ELMONT, N.Y. - A lot was expected of Harmony Lodge from the day owner Eugene Melnyk plunked down $1.65 million for her at the Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old-in-training sales in February 2000.

After some mixed results, Harmony Lodge may finally be ready to fulfill those expectations beginning Sunday, when she takes on Grade 1 winners Raging Fever and Shine Again in the Grade 2, $150,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park. A field of six was entered for the Gallant Bloom, run at 6 1/2 furlongs.

ARCADIA, Calif. - There are many different ways to earn a trip to the Breeders' Cup - on the lead, pressing the pace, or rallying from the back.

Front-runner Kela, presser Momentum, and closer Pleasantly Perfect are among nine starters in the Grade 2, $500,000 Goodwood Handicap Sunday at Santa Anita. All three are aiming for the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Arlington Park Oct. 26.

"The one we want is the next one," said Momentum's trainer, Craig Dollase. Momentum will be favored in the 1 1/8-mile Goodwood, highlight of a stakes triple-header.

EDMONTON, Alberta - Local racing opportunities have been rare for Taiaslew and Raylene, but they have been making the most of their chances. These 2-year-olds, who are excluded from the Alberta-bred stakes, appear to be cinches to claim divisional honors as they head into their stakes engagements this weekend at Northlands.

Taiaslew, a colt, runs in the Canadian Juvenile, and Raylene, a filly, runs in the Freedom of the City.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Bay Meadows planned to run two stakes Sunday, the Time to Leave Stakes and the Autumn Leaves Handicap.

Only the Autumn Leaves, a $60,000-added race for fillies and mares, will be run.

Only five 2-year-old fillies entered the one-mile Time to Leave, and one was on the vet's list, forcing a postponement of the race. Bay Meadows officials hope to run it next Sunday.

The Autumn Leaves was in a similar position when originally scheduled on Sept. 7. It did not draw enough entries, but racing secretary Greg Brent brought it back Sunday, and it filled.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Three-year-old fillies Elana d'Amour, Sweet Monarch, and Grace for You, the first three finishers in the Grade 3 B.C. Breeders' Cup Oaks Sept. 7, appear to have the edge over nine other fillies and mares in Sunday's $175,000 Grade 3 Ballerina Breeders' Cup at Hastings. Full Scream Ahead looks like the best of the rest in the 12-horse field, which includes nine stakes winners.