Chasing War Emblem once was apparently enough for Easyfromthegitgo and Menacing Dennis. After taking a beating in the Preakness three weeks ago, both 3-year-old colts are taking aim at slightly easier company in Saturday's $250,000 Leonard Richards Stakes at Delaware Park.

Easyfromthegitgo, second in the Louisiana Derby and third in the Lexington, earned a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure when he finished a respectable fifth, beaten just 3 1/4 lengths, in the Preakness. His regular rider, Donnie Meche, will ride for trainer Steve Asmussen.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - When last they met, Boss Ego edged Out of Mind by a head to win the San Carlos Handicap at Bay Meadows on April 28.

That was strictly the prelim. On Saturday, the two meet in the main event - the Grade 3, $150,000 All American Handicap at Bay Meadows, the meeting's final graded stakes race of the spring season.

Boss Ego stalked the pace of I'madrifter in the San Carlos, taking over in the lane. He had enough to hold off the fast-finishing Out of Mind, who broke in a tangle but put on a strong rally from the good outside part of the track.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - In the Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita on April 13, La Martina lost by a nose to Megahertz after the two traded the lead in the final strides. The loss still pains trainer Jenine Sahadi.

"I got beat this far," she said, holding her forefinger and thumb an inch apart. "She got bumped by Megahertz and there wasn't an inquiry."

Regardless of whether or not some midstretch bumping would have changed the outcome, La Martina has a chance to give Sahadi some revenge in Saturday's $200,000 Honeymoon Breeders' Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Always Country, the lone shipper for Saturday's $200,000 Honeymoon Breeders' Cup Handicap at Hollywood Park, will miss the race because of illness, according to trainer Stephen DiMauro.

If history is any indication, the setback could be a blessing in disguise.

MIAMI - Wertz's easy eight-length victory last month in the off-the-turf Carterista Handicap not only extended his win streak to four but also proved he was more than a one-dimensional grass horse. His newfound dirt ability should serve him well at Calder this summer with the south Florida rainy season now in full swing.

Wertz will shoot for his fifth straight in Saturday's $35,000 Kissin Kris Stakes at Calder, scheduled at 1 1/8 miles on turf and carded as the first race of the day in an attempt to beat the mid-afternoon rains that regularly plague this area during the summer.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Dominant winners of their trial races last month, the colt Lonely Concorde and the filly Santa Fe Strip look like standouts in their respective divisions of the $150,000-estimated Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity at Lone Star Park on Saturday.

There will be two five-furlong TTA Sales Futurities on the card, one for colts and geldings, and the other for fillies.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Holiday Runner remained undefeated Thursday by holding off the furious late charge of Miss Mary Apples to win the $81,050 Fashion Stakes by a head. It was 7 1/4 lengths back to Milliondollarbaby in third. Stay, La Violette, and Rouge General completed the order of finish. Forever Partners was scratched.

ELMONT, N.Y. - Puzzlement will not run in Saturday's Belmont Stakes because of a bruise in his right front foot, according to the colt's trainer, Allen Jerkens.

Jerkens discovered the bruise around 7 a.m. on Thursday when Puzzlement was being readied for his morning gallop. Puzzlement exhibited soreness in his right front and there was heat in the hoof area.

"I don't know how he did it," a disappointed Jerkens said. "The vet says it looks like an abscess is getting ready to come out."

ELMONT, N.Y. - If War Emblem can negotiate the Belmont Stakes 1 1/2 miles with as much agility as he showed while dodging a thicket of press on Wednesday morning, he will be just fine.

ELMONT, N.Y. - After a fairly inactive first five months of the year, Bella Bellucci will try to make up for lost time during the next six weeks at Belmont Park.

Almost immediately after he scratched Bella Bellucci from the May 3 Kentucky Oaks because of a low blood count, trainer Neil Drysdale targeted the three-race series at Belmont known as the Triple Tiara. It begins with Friday's $250,000 Acorn Stakes, continues with the $250,000 Mother Goose at nine furlongs on June 29, and concludes with the $350,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at 12 furlongs on July 20.