SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Last year's top local 3-year-old filly, Ms. Lady Rose, should be favored over five evenly matched rivals in Friday's $5,000 Matron Handicap.

Ms. Lady Rose won 4 of 7 races in 2001 and has kept on winning this year as she took the season's first two filly-mare allowance races at a half-mile and six furlongs.

Last time out, also going six furlongs, Ms. Lady Rose was unable to collar the front-runner and had to settle for second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths. The about seven-furlong distance of the Matron may prove to be her undoing.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - What Four will be the one to beat here in Friday's $30,000 R.C. Anderson Stakes, for Manitoba-bred 3-year-old fillies at one mile.

One of two multiple winners in the field, What Four finished fourth in the Chantilly Stakes in her last start.

Trained by Chad Torevell, What Four won two races last year, including the fillies division of the CTHS Sales Stakes. She probably will contest the early pace here.

Prospects Pleasure, trained by Emile Corbel, is the other two-time winner and also is likely to contest the pace.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Days before his biggest career test, Key Lory was quiet Wednesday morning in his Monmouth Park stall with two fans keeping the 8-year-old cool while temperatures rose quickly to the high 90's outside the barn.

Heading into the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations on Saturday, Key Lory's undefeated record on turf hangs in the balance. He is the local favorite and the story of how he got here is truly amazing. All that's left for him is to take on the big guns Saturday before a live audience on CBS and cap off what has been an outstanding run since last August.

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Jockey Chad Schvaneveldt wouldn't want to jinx himself by predicting a victory in Friday's Everett Nevin Alameda County Futurity at the Alameda County Fair.

But he wouldn't give up his mount on Taraval to ride any of his nine rivals in the $50,000-added five-furlong race for 2-year-olds.

MUSKEGON, Mich. - Spring Winds, who won the June 14 Lansing Stakes here, will face practically the same field in the $45,000 Spartan Stakes on Friday evening at Great Lakes Downs.

The Spartan Stakes, formerly run as a handicap, will be contested over seven furlongs, with all starters carrying 122 pounds.

Spring Winds is owned by James and Marcia Arnold and trained by Gerald Bennett, who will also saddle To Be Springs for Gene and Phyllis Gilmore. Both gray geldings are by Wekiva Springs.

LINCOLN, Neb. - Leading rider Jerry Carkeek collected his fifth four-win day of the Lincoln State Fair meet last Saturday evening, sweeping the final four races on the nine-race card.

The photo-finish camera was needed to determine two of the three stakes races on Tuesday night's pre-holiday program at Mountaineer Park in Chester, W. Va. And even the electronic eye could not separate the first two finishers in one race.

Locally based On to Richmond, allowed to set a slow pace of 48.38 seconds for the half-mile and 1:11.97 for six furlongs, just lasted for a dead heat with Delaware Park invader Buenos Dias in the $79,250 Independence Day Handicap. Both hit the wire in 1:36.20 for one mile on firm turf.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Midway through his 8-year-old season, Cetewayo is happy, and the old man still is going strong.

Admittedly, he has things good for a racehorse. At trainer Michael Dickinson's Tapeta Farm in Maryland, Cetewayo has his own two-acre field where he grazes, rolls around, and generally takes it easy twice a day.

"The freedom helps keep him fresh mentally, the fresh air helps his lungs, and the grass is good for stomach ulcers," Dickinson said.

There's little question Cetewayo likes things this way.

MIAMI - Caller One, who has blossomed into a world-class sprinter since his smashing performance in the inaugural Summit of Speed two years ago, may return for this year's edition of the sprint festival.

That is, if trainer James Chapman can get him here.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Saturday's Dance Smartly Handicap will be the first clash between Canadian champions Dancethruthedawn and Sweetest Thing.

Dancethruthedawn, the Sovereign Award-winning 3-year-old filly last year, will be making her first start on turf. She is owned by Sam-Son Farm and trained by Mark Frostad.

The race is named for Dancethruthedawn's illustrious dam.

Sweetest Thing, the Sovereign Award-winning turf filly last year at 3, had also been under consideration for the July 4 New York Handicap.