SAN MATEO, Calif. - Van Rouge ($6.80), who had just broken his maiden, went wire-to-wire to win the $100,000 Ascot Handicap (G3) at Bay Meadows on Sunday.

The Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss homebred was never challenged in the 1 1/16-mile turf race that was shown nationally on ESPN2. He defeated Doc Holiday by 4.5 lengths in 1:41.78.

"We were going a good tack on the front end, but I had a ton of horse," winning rider Jason Lumpkins said. "We hit the quarter pole, and I felt good because they'd been running to him all the way."

ELMONT, N.Y. - Allen Jerkens doesn't impress easily. But after watching Xtra Heat hold off his Shine Again to win Sunday's $150,000, at Belmont Park, the Hall of Fame trainer had to pay homage to the champion filly and her trainer, John Salzman.

"She's got to be one of the best in a long time," Jerkens said. "She's so used to shipping; it doesn't even bother her. She was so cool and calm in the paddock walking around like another day in the office. Just remarkable, and he's done a remarkable job with her. Got to give him all the credit in the world."

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - El Prado Essence closed from off sizzling fractions over a sloppy track to capture Sunday's Grade 3 George C. Hendrie Handicap, a 6 1/2-furlong dash at Woodbine.

As expected, favored Madame Roar led through splits of :21.74 and :44.59 while being tracked by Mysterious Affair and Dreams Go Bye. El Prado Essence commenced her rally at the quarter pole under Todd Kabel, and overhauled Madame Roar at the eighth pole en route to a four-length score in a time of 1:16.86.

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Mellow Fellow ($7.20) unleashed a powerful stretch drive to win the Grade 3, $198,750 Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Sprint on Saturday.

"They were cheering him like Barry Bonds when we got to the winner's circle," winning trainer William J. Morey Jr. said.

Although a final decision was not expected until Sunday morning, it appeared less likely on Saturday that Sunday Break would run in next Saturday's 127th Preakness Stakes, and more likely he would run in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on May 25.

STICKNEY, Ill. - As easy as Victor Espinoza made winning last week's Kentucky Derby look, Saturday's Hawthorne Derby was even easier. As with War Emblem a week ago, Espinoza simply sat aboard Flying Dash for most of the Hawthorne Derby. He guided the colt to the inside turning for home and hardly moved as Flying Dash drew off convincingly to win by three lengths.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Global Finance on Saturday gave trainer Jerry Dutton his fourth win in the last seven runnings of the Nursery Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Sent off as the heavy favorite in the $86,750 race for 2-year-old fillies, Global Finance ($3.40) challenged for the early lead with Forthelifeofme and Silver Shot before pulling away in early stretch. Ridden by David Flores, Global Finance ran five furlongs in 58.78 seconds.

"She finished like I thought she'd finish, but she started a little quicker than I thought," Dutton said.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Lil Personalitee pulled off a 10-1 upset in Saturday's Grade 3, $161,400 Eclipse Handicap at Woodbine.

A Fleets Dancer rallied from last to finish second in the 1 1/16-mile event, while front-runner Dream Launcher held on for third. Favored Win City, Canada's reigning Horse of the Year, finished 2 3/4 lengths back of the winner in fourth in the six-horse field.

ELMONT, N.Y. - For the connections of Left Bank, the anxious moments came after the running of Saturday's Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park.

Despite being part of a three-ply speed duel, Left Bank won the $102,900 Bold Ruler by a length over Silky Sweep. While galloping out after the race, Left Bank unseated jockey John Velazquez. Fortunately, Left Bank galloped riderless for only an eighth of a mile before being picked up by an outrider.

JAMAICA, N.Y. - The mild winter weather turned out to be a boon for Aqueduct, which enjoyed significant increases in attendance and handle for the recently concluded winter-spring meet.

Daily average attendance was 5,256, an increase of 11.8 percent over the 2001 average of 4,700. Daily average ontrack handle was up 8.7 percent to $1,574,086 from $1,447,690. Daily average commingled handle increased 8.4 percent to $9,236,441 from $8,519,174 a year ago.