ARCADIA, Calif. - Tout Charmant, once a model of consistency, has been a puzzle for trainer Ron McAnally in the last few months.

In 2000, Tout Charmant earned more than $1 million and was in the top three in all seven of her starts. In 2001, she was unplaced in three starts in the final four months of the year.

A 6-year-old, Tout Charmant has a chance Sunday to convince McAnally and owners Bob and Janice McNair that her racing days are not over. Tout Charmant starts as the 120-pound highweight in the $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap, a Grade 2 over 1 1/8 miles on turf.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The changing complexion of the Santa Anita 3-year-old division will undergo further revision this weekend, pending the sale of Royal Moro and Bringem Jung, principal entrants in Sunday's Grade 3 San Miguel Stakes.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Astute handicappers have long recognized Don Munger as one of the most consistent and productive trainers in Northwest racing. Though he has never trained enough horses to compete for leading trainer honors, Munger has regularly sent out a high percentage of winners, and he has often provided a positive rate of return for win bettors.

ALBANY, Calif. - The claiming game can be tough, but it can also provide instant winners.

Trainer Robert Dempsey is hoping for an instant winner in Sunday's feature race at Golden Gate Fields. He claimed Lytle Creek from leading trainer Jerry Hollendorfer for $32,000 in his last start and runs him Sunday in a $40,000 optional claimer at one mile.

Lytle Creek is getting used to running for new trainers. Dempsey's claim for owner Gene Johnson marked the third time Lytle Creek had been claimed in his past six starts.

NEW ORLEANS - Owner Ernie Paragallo and trainer Dick Lundy have not yet settled on the next start for their star-crossed colt , but he probably will run here next month and could emerge as a top contender for the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap in March.

ALBANY, Calif. - The year 2002 was supposed to be the end of an era. Bay Meadows, the oldest racetrack in northern California, was expected to close its doors with racing either at a new track in Dixon, Calif., or at Golden Gate year-round.

But F. Jack Liebau, the president of Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields in northern California and the leader of Magna Entertainment's racing interests in California, believes racing will continue at Bay Meadows, which is located in San Mateo, beyond 2002.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Momentum was excluded from the Hollywood Derby six weeks ago because he did not have sufficient accomplishments in graded stakes.

A lot has changed since then.

On Saturday, Momentum is the likely favorite in the $200,000 San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes for 4-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita. His newfound respect can be credited to a victory against older horses in the Grade 3 Native Diver Handicap at Hollywood Park on Dec. 9, his first start on dirt.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - It has been 602 days since Red Bullet upset Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus in the 2000 Preakness Stakes. Myriad nagging injuries have limited him to four starts since with mixed results.

With those physical problems apparently behind Red Bullet, trainer Joe Orseno believes his 5-year-old is ready to confirm his status as one of the top horses in training beginning with Saturday's $100,000, Grade 3 Skip Away Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Lovers Son, who upset the heavily favored Tomtom Tommalice when last seen in the Oregon Sprint Championship on Dec. 15, will seek a third straight win when he takes on seven tough allowance rivals in Saturday's six-furlong feature at Portland Meadows.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Spinelessjellyfish and Echo Eddie have much in common. Together, they have won the last two runnings of the Sensational Star Handicap at Santa Anita. Both are lightly raced and have outstanding records, particularly against statebreds.

On Saturday, they meet for the first time, in the $100,000 Sensational Star Handicap for California-breds on the hillside turf course. With distinctive styles - Echo Eddie as a pacesetter, and Spinelessjellyfish as a stalker - they are both capable of winning against five others.

But both raise questions.