SALEM, N.H. - New England's most prestigious turf race, the $200,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes, headlines a 14-race stakes program slated for Rockingham Park this summer.

The 2002 schedule is virtually identical to past seasons, with the Sweepstakes - New England's only graded stakes on the grass - starting the program June 22. The $75,000 Rockingham Park Breeders' Cup on July 4 and the $100,000 Spicy Living Sweepstakes Aug. 4 will again be offered for fillies and mares on the turf in the middle of the 100-day meet.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Live racing was expected to resume Friday, following the cancellation of live racing last weekend because of inclement weather. The two $25,000-added stakes races scheduled for last weekend were rescheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The Ogataul Handicap for older Nebraska-breds going six furlongs, in addition to the regularly scheduled Islander Stakes for 3-year-old fillies will be run on Saturday. On Sunday, the rescheduled Orphan Kist Handicap for older statebred fillies and mares will go as the feature.

VINTON, La. - Trainer Don Cormier Jr. has been on a roll of late.

Beginning Feb. 21, Cormier saddled at least one winner a night for seven consecutive race days. The streak ended Sunday, when Cormier did not start a horse.

The Cormier barn returns with a vengeance Thursday night, with six runners entered in the first seven races. Jockey J.T. Weatherly, who rode the last five winners that Cormier has sent out, will team with Cormier on Sharp Sailor (fourth race) and Lucy Brook (sixth).

GROVE CITY, Ohio - Making the transition from an apprentice to a journeyman rider is often difficult, but Rex Stokes III is handling the switch quite nicely at Beulah Park this meet.

NEW ORLEANS - Trainer Neil Howard will try for his second Grade 2 win in a week when Charmed Gift runs Saturday in the Fair Grounds Oaks. Tuesday, Howard looked on as Charmed Gift, second in the Grade 3 Silverbulletday in her last start, breezed a half-mile in 48.40 seconds shortly after Fair Grounds morning renovation break.

ARCADIA, Calif. - It is not easy being Penny Marie, a fragile mare who suffers from chronic allergies and requires numerous layoffs. But she is no pushover.

Penny Marie has won 6 of 13 races, runs well fresh, loves the Santa Anita downhill course, and is sufficiently qualified to win the $75,000 Winter Solstice Handicap on Thursday at Santa Anita. Ten fillies and mares entered the 6 1/2-furlong turf race, including 121-pound highweight Paga; in-form Queen of Wilshire, and comebacker Penny Marie, 118 each; and La Ronge, at 117.

NEW ORLEANS - The 7-year-old Bodyguard once ran with the stars. Two springs ago, Bodyguard spent his mornings keeping a gifted 3-year-old colt named Fusaichi Pegasus company during his morning exercise. The horses would work together, and Fusaichi Pegasus got enough out of the experience that he won the 2000 Kentucky Derby.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - At first glance it's hard to believe Thursday's $46,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park is carded for the turf, considering that the combined grass record of the eight horses in the body of the race is three wins from 46 starts.

But the reason for the unusual field for a turf race that has such a big purse is its conditions - for 4-year-olds and up who have never won a race other than maiden claimer or starter at a mile or over on the turf.

ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Bob Baffert said Tuesday that he would enter Danthebluegrassman in Saturday's $200,000, Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

is 2 for 2 at Golden Gate Fields with victories in the $55,000 Gold Rush Stakes on Dec. 15 and the $125,000, Grade 3 Golden Gate Derby on Jan. 12.

ARCADIA, Calif. - California-bred sprinter Echo Eddie has been invited to the $2 million Golden Shaheen in Dubai, where he and at least four other American sprinters will run in the six-furlong race, which is part of the Dubai World Cup card March 23.

Trainer Darrell Vienna and owner David Milch were informed Tuesday that Echo Eddie had been invited. In his most recent start Feb. 23, Echo Eddie won the $100,000 Ken Maddy Handicap by a 1 3/4 lengths, earning a 108 Beyer Speed Figure.