VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Lord Nelson would have been favored in Saturday's Spring Sprint Stakes at Hastings Park, but his trainer, Dino Condilenios, elected to pass the race because he wants a fresh horse for the $250,000 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs on Aug. 25.

Condilenios said Lord Nelson is doing fine, and he plans to race him in the John Longden here June 9.

"It's a great field," said Condilenios of the Spring Sprint, "and it would have been a nice one for the fans, but I have to do what I think is best for the horse."

AUBURN, Wash. - Sunday's $35,000 Fox Sports Net Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs will showcase a familiar cast of Northwest sprint stars, plus one intriguing newcomer.

Profound Secret, an 8-year-old son of Gate Dancer with career earnings of more than $400,000, arrived here Wednesday night with northern California-based trainer Kent Molinaro, who intends to test the local stakes waters Sunday.

"Everybody told me this was a long way to come for a $35,000 purse, but I really wanted to see how my horse handles this track," said Molinaro.

BALTIMORE - Give Jerry Bailey an inch, and he'll take the race. Bailey expected to be sitting third in the early going of Friday's Grade 2, $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes with favored Chamrousse, but found himself the beneficiary of an eager filly, a moderate pace, a speed-favoring course, and the rail.

Bailey did the math. He allowed Chamrousse to press the early pace from the inside, then roused her aggressively when it was time to put away the stubborn Shop Till You Drop. Chamrousse drew away in

CALGARY, Alberta - Sunday's $40,000 Teeworth Plate at Stampede Park has lured a contentious field, with seven stakes winners among the nine entrants.

Tyko Tycoon and Scotman, winner of last year's Teeworth Plate, are expected to contest the lead; Sprint Championship hero Sixthirtyjoe and Alberta's 2001 champion older horse, Rancour, are expected to be in close attendance in the second flight.

Late runs can be expected from They Call Me Cody, Red Exit, Kid Copper, and Miki Bleu Eyes.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Mister Cy will be trying for his third straight win in Sunday's feature race at Hastings Park, a $25,000 sprint for older horses. Only five horses have been entered, but all of them appear to have a chance at the top prize.

AUBURN, Wash. - Crowning Meeting, fresh from a track-record-equaling victory in the Seattle Handicap at six furlongs, will take on eight challengers in Sunday's 6 1/2-furlong, $35,000 Sports Net Handicap at Emerald Downs.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Jockey Richard Dos Ramos, who is in the midst of his 22nd campaign on the Ontario circuit, is this year's recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. The Gomez award is given to a jockey who is Canadian born, Canadian raised, or has been a regular rider in the country for more than five years and has made significant contributions to the sport. The 39-year-old Dos Ramos, who was born in Trinidad, was back-to-back winner of Sovereign Awards as Canada's outstanding apprentice, in 1981 and 1982.

The Grade 3, $100,000 Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Thursday was loaded with speed, and trainer Joseph Aquilino wanted Vesta to rate. Vesta did nothing of the sort. She jumped to the lead right out of the gate and scorched a first quarter in 22.26 seconds. "She's going too fast," Aquilino said, wincing.

But the headstrong Vesta never let up. She led every step of the way to win in a final time of 1:10.25, holding off the late charge of Willa on the Move. A New Twist, the 7-5 favorite, finished fifth in the field of six.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Fast City may have had a chance to beat heavily favored Even the Score in a third-level allowance race May 1 at Churchill Downs, but "he got trapped" before settling for second, said Chuck Simon, trainer of Fast City. "It might have been a different race."

Fast City, whom Simon claimed for $30,000 for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey nearly 18 months ago, should be able to prove that excuse was valid as the favorite Sunday in the feature race, a $64,000 turf allowance.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Bobby Frankel has won the $75,000 Jim Murray Handicap five times, so when asked who he would start in the marathon turf race Sunday at Hollywood Park, Frankel's optimistic response suggested the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

"Who am I running? The winner," he said.