ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Lucky Scarab, Funny Soldier, and Native Mark, all exiting allowance races on the grass at Keeneland, could rule the roost in Sunday's Woodbine feature, a 1 1/16-mile preliminary allowance on turf.

Lucky Scarab, trained by Mark Frostad for the powerful Sam-Son Farm, will be favored to garner the winner's share of the $69,900 purse. A 4-year-old by recently deceased sire Kris S., Lucky Scarab finished fifth as part of an entry with victorious Dancethruthedawn in the 2001 Queen's Plate.

CALGARY, Alberta - The road to the June 15 Alberta Derby has taken several twists this spring, with no clear-cut favorite emerging from the 3-year-old ranks.

So it comes as no surprise that Sunday's Hoofprint on My Heart Handicap, the major prep for the Alberta Derby, drew a full field of 10 with one also-eligible.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Full Gainer, who won the New Westminster Stakes last year, should be a solid favorite over five other 3-year-olds in a $35,000 claiming sprint at Hastings Park Sunday.

Full Gainer ran three times as a 2-year-old and was heavily favored each time. He beat straight maidens as the 3-2 choice in his debut July 28 and was even money when he won the New Westminster Stakes on Aug. 19. His next start was in the $95,000 Ascot Sophomore Oct. 14 at 1 1/16 miles and he went off at 8-5. He finished eighth.

AUBURN, Wash. - A full field of 12 older fillies and mares, including four who are invading from Canada, will run in Sunday's $35,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes at Emerald Downs.

Grooms Derby, a triple stakes winner at Hastings Park, heads the Canadian contingent in the 6 1/2-furlong stakes. Grooms Derby has started only once this season, finishing a good second to Inish Girl after helping to set

ELMONT, N.Y. - Plane troubles have created havoc with the travel plans of several of the California shippers scheduled to run in Monday's $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The last time trainer John Ward had a starter in California, Beautiful Pleasure finished 10th in the 1997 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Hollywood Park.

Two years later, Beautiful Pleasure earned an Eclipse Award as outstanding older filly or mare following a campaign that included a win in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Gulfstream Park.

"She had a chance to redeem herself," Ward said.

This weekend, Ward returns to Hollywood Park with Snow Dance, who will start for owner John Oxley in Monday's $500,000 Gamely Breeders' Cup Handicap.

MIAMI - Royal Lad, the undisputed leader of the 3-year-old sprint division here this spring, should have little trouble adding to his impressive resume, facing seven rivals in Sunday's $35,000 Marco Bay Stakes.

Royal Lad has won his last three starts, each at a different venue, beginning with the Ocala Breeders' Sprint Championship in Ocala on March 18. That victory was followed by a tough allowance win at Gulfstream Park 17 days later and a sensational 6 1/2-length triumph in the Silver Season Handicap here earlier this month.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - The common perception may be that A B Noodle is strictly the one to beat in the $55,000-added Bay Meadows Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles over the Longden Turf Course at Bay Meadows on Sunday.

That's fine with Jim Hilling, the trainer of Doc's Lil' Angel. Hilling likes to lie in the proverbial weeds and spring surprises.

Hilling has plenty of respect for A B Noodle, but he thinks highly of his filly as well.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - For its inaugural running, Sunday's $50,000 Frisk Me Now Stakes at Monmouth Park has clearly set the bar high for future fields by drawing a graded-stakes caliber cast.

The field is made up of nine horses, all of whom are 5- or

OCEANPORT, N.J. - It's 11 a.m. on a slow Wednesday and the rush of morning workouts and other training duties is winding down. The sun is beaming down on the Monmouth Park backside and the clear skies are a perfect backdrop to the quiet barn area.

Over at Barn 1, Jason Servis leans back in a small white plastic chair and takes it all in. Servis, 45, is enjoying every part of his first summer as a trainer.

"Things are going really well," Servis said. "It's been the best experience of my life."