SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Zabenz, a New Zealand-bred who made his U.S. debut only one week ago, came back on short rest to win one of the country's most prestigious jump races, dominating the $100,000 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap by 7 1/4 lengths over a soft course at Saratoga on Thursday.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Mike Smith has been named to ride Congaree in Monday's $250,000 Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap, a race that trainer Bob Baffert hopes will put Congaree closer to a start in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Smith replaces David Flores, who was aboard Congaree for a third-place finish in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap here on Aug. 4. Sent off as a heavy favorite, Congaree led to midstretch but faded badly in the final furlong, losing by

3 1/2 lengths to Grey Memo. Baffert insists that the racetrack was not playing favorably to front-runners that day.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Grade 1 Forego Handicap has been decided on the dirt since its inception in 1980 and will be run over the main track once again on Sunday. So why would trainer Ian Jory work Explicit five furlongs on the turf in his final prep for the most important dirt race of his career?

Claimers take the spotlight in the fourth annual Claiming Crown Championships at Philadelphia Park on Saturday.

The Claiming Crown features six stakes worth a total of $550,000. Each race is for 3-year-olds and up and are run under starter allowance conditions.

The richest event, the $150,000 Jewel, is for horses who have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less since Aug. 31, 2001. Nine entered the 1 1/8-mile Jewel.

Prince Iroquois, a Louisiana shipper, and California-based Truly a Judge are the main contenders.

Royal Mambo will have to beat stakes winner Leo's Last Hurrahy to win his fourth straight race Saturday night in the $100,000 El Joven Stakes at Retama Park near San Antonio. The one-mile turf race for 2-year-old colts and geldings shares a card with its female counterpart, the $100,000 La Senorita, and both races drew full fields of 12.

Royal Mambo has come to hand quickly for trainer Ed Dodwell. After finishing third in his debut May 1, he won his next three starts, winning at two turns and turf in his most recent race, a prep for the El Joven at Retama.

Ralph Ziadie felt a fast and contentious pace cost his 4-5 favorite Trust N Luck the victory in the Dr. Fager Stakes. Kathleen O'Connell blamed an unlucky start for Ivanavinalot going down as the 8-5 choice in the Desert Vixen Stakes.

On Saturday, both trainers are hoping their youngsters have better racing luck in the $125,000 Affirmed and Susan's Girl stakes, middle legs of Calder's Florida Stallion Stakes series.

The last time Ken McPeek ran something in the Bassinet Stakes at River Downs, the race became one of the most memorable of his training career.

"Grand Deed and Chelsie House ran one-two," McPeek recalled Thursday from Saratoga.

At the time, the exacta sweep in River's premier race for 2-year-old fillies was a big feather in McPeek's cap. Since then, the 40-year-old trainer has gone on to accomplish far more impressive feats, notably the major races he has won this year with Sarava, Harlan's Holiday, Repent, and Take Charge Lady.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - There's Zealous will try to stretch his speed around two turns in the $400,000 Kentucky Cup Classic on Sept. 14 at Turfway Park, trainer Paul McGee said Thursday.

There's Zealous has emerged in the last month as one of the most exciting horses in the Midwest. A powerful winner of a high-quality Churchill allowance race in late July, There's Zealous was even more impressive in the $60,000 Cigar Handicap here Aug. 17, Arlington Million Day.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Saturday's Top Flight Stakes leads to the Arlington-Washington Lassie and then the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but if a greater association exists between the Top Flight and the Breeders' Cup, it is not apparent on form.

Among them, the six fillies entered in the $75,000 Top Flight have one stakes start and no stakes placings. But to take the Top Flight too lightly is to disregard She's a Devil Due, who two seasons ago won this race before finishing first in the Grade 2 Alcibiades and third in the Breeders' Cup.

SALEM, N.H. - Soft-spoken trainer Ron Dandy managed to sneak up on one of the most significant milestones of his career while dominating yet another New England race meeting.

Dandy is within 10 victories of saddling his 2,000th career winner. Considering the commanding lead he has atop the Rockingham Park trainer standings and his current win rate, September promises two celebrations for the 25-year trainer.

"I knew it was coming up, but I didn't know it was that close," said Dandy of his 2000th win.