Perfect Drift, who finished third to War Emblem and Proud Citizen in the Kentucky Derby, continued his strong series of training in preparation for a rematch with those two in the June 8 Belmont Stakes by working a sharp six furlongs in 1:12.80 on Monday morning.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Trainer Robert VanOverschot is off to the best start of his career, and with a barn full of runners he stands an excellent chance of winning the trainer's race this year.

He is currently tied with Jim Loseth for the top spot with eight wins, but VanOverschot thinks he has the kind of stable that will land him in the winner's circle enough times to give him a chance at his first training title.

"I have a lot of young horses that have ability, and with all of their conditions available, they should win quite a few races," he said.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Judging by Quiet Resolve's dominating performance in Saturday's Connaught Cup at Woodbine, his first start here at the age of 7, the other local turf stakes runners could be in for a long season.

But Quiet Resolve's refusal to act his age certainly was no surprise to either the wagering public or to Mark Frostad, who trains Quiet Resolve for Sam-Son Farm.

"He was just running against some of the best turf horses in North America, in Kentucky," said Frostad.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Runaway Love could be poised to take no prisoners on the front end Wednesday at Woodbine in the $142,125 Steady Growth Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile race for Ontario-sired runners.

Runaway Love, winner of the 2000 Deputy Minister Stakes here in his first start as a gelding, has made two appearances at the current meeting, both in seven-furlong classified allowances. He was a retreating fifth when he came off the shelf April 5, but he fared much better on May 15, putting away two rivals on the front end before giving way grudgingly to a charging Grand End Sweep.

Time of the Lepus picked quite a time to score his first victory in nine months.

An 8-year-old gelding who had been unable to win in four starts this season at claiming prices as low as $2,500, Time of the Lepus held off 8-5 favorite Delux Fantasy by a neck in the $10,000 Speed Handicap at the Lincoln State Fair.

The second-longest shot in a field of nine older horses, Time of the Lepus ($83.20) was timed in 51.20 seconds for 4 1/2 furlongs.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Christophe Clement had Celtic Sky ready off a six-month layoff, and jockey Jose Santos gave the 4-year-old colt a heady ride en route to a three-quarter-length victory in the $85,575 Kingston Handicap at Belmont Park.

Reluctant Groom, who made all the pace at odds of 31-1, held second, a head over 7-5 favorite I'm All Yours.

Lady Cherie ($3) did not disappoint the fans who sent her off as the 1-2 choice in the $40,000, Brent's Princess Stakes at Thistledown. She split horses entering the stretch and widened out to a 6 1/4-length tally, running the six furlongs in 1:11.72 over the fast racing strip.

Owned by the M. Y. Racing Stables Inc. and trained by Michael W. Nance, Lady Cherie was ridden by Julio Felix.

Mandy's Gold ($4.40) won for the first time since in 14 months by coasting to a 3 1/2-length victory in the $75,000 My Juliet Stakes at Philadelphia Park.

The 4-year-old Mandy's Gold ran the six furlongs in 1:09.59 for trainer Michael Gorham.

ALTOONA, Iowa - The lightly raced and rapidly improving One Fine Shweetie ($3) recorded her first stakes victory when she scored an easy 1 3/4-length win over five other 3-year-old Iowa-bred fillies in the $67,390 Bob Bryant Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Under jockey Cindy Noll, One Fine Shweetie stalked pacesetter Only at Night to the stretch, took command entering the lane without being asked, and was ridden out to the wire, clocking the sixfurlongs in 1:10.21.

Running Tide ($9.60) remained unbeaten in four career starts by scoring a 1 3/4-length victory in the $75,600 Legal Light Stakes at Delaware Park.

Ridden by Ramon Dominguez and trained by Eveline Kjelstrup, stalked a fast early pace before making up five lengths in the stretch, covering six furlongs in 1:11.13.

Calends, the 4-5 favorite, finished third, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, after contesting the early pace.