LAUREL, Md. - When the two fastest Thoroughbreds in America went head-to-head at Laurel Park on Saturday, Xtra Heat won the battle. But she lost the war.

After that Maryland-based 3-year-old filly raced Caller One into defeat, Delaware Township ($8.80) flew past them both and drew away to a decisive victory in the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash. He scored by three lengths over another stretch-runner, Early Flyer, as Xtra Heat faded to finish third. Kona Gold, the champion American sprinter of last season, was a lackluster fourth.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - While there are two weeks remaining in this lengthy Woodbine meeting, it would appear that the jockey and trainer races could come right down to the wire.

Todd Kabel, whose last title here came in 1995, rode three winners Sunday to bring his season total here to 132, three more than second-place Patrick Husbands.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - A return to a sprint, the track at which she trains, and cooler weather proved a winning trifecta for Ayanna, who took over soon after the start and led the rest of the way in the $100,000 * for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino begins its 80-day live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet Tuesday on an upswing. Purses at the New Mexico track have increased dramatically since the introduction of slot machines in 1999, and the facility has been renovated since last year's meet and is in the process of being expanded.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - When Frank Brothers sent out District in the Ack Ack Handicap here opening day, he suspected the horse might have been placed a bit ambitiously.

His suspicions were well founded. District, making his first start since January, faded to eighth after tracking the pace in the Ack Ack, seemingly reinforcing the age-old racetrack maxim that not even the most demanding training regimen can supplant a race under the belt.

Hallowed Dreams withstood a jockey objection and stewards inquiry to win her comeback from a two month layoff Saturday night in an allowance feature at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

It was a length back in second to Dr. Lewis, whose rider, Steve Bourque, alleged interference at the top of the stretch. The claim was disallowed.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Fonz's, who displayed plenty of promise at Hollywood Park last summer before going to the sidelines, made a triumphant return to the races on Saturday when he led a parade of longshots home in the Grade 3, $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes for 2-year-olds.

Fonz's, a 6-1 shot, outdueled 9-1 Popular through the stretch to win by a half-length, with 13-1 shot Labamta Babe another 3 1/2 lengths back in third. Eastern invader Heavyweight Champ was fifth, and 7-5 favorite Roman Dancer sixth in the field of seven.

JAMAICA, N.Y. - In a field full of horses past their prime, the up-and-coming Mr. Pleasentfar may be coming into his.

Mr. Pleasentfar, a 4-year-old Brazilian-bred, was swung five wide by Jose Santos entering the stretch and ran down favorite Eltawaasul inside the sixteenth pole to win Saturday's $150,000, Grade 2 Red Smith Handicap by three-quarters of a length before 8,282 at Aqueduct. Eltawaasul, who dueled early with longshot Serazzo, held second, a nose ahead of Regal Dynasty.

MIAMI - Grey Ballet served notice she was back on top of her game last month when she finished second in the Calder Oaks. She left no doubt Saturday after rallying to a half-length victory over Blondaway in the $60,000 Lenta Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Tails of the Crypt unleashed a big stretch kick to mow down Streakin Rob in the final strides for a three-quarter-length score in Saturday's $112,500 Display Stakes for 2-year-olds at Woodbine.

Tails of the Crypt raced six lengths off the early lead under Jake Barton, who swung him wide for the drive. Streakin Rob set rapid fractions of 23.21 seconds and 46.93 in the 1 1/16-mile race, and had a two-length lead at the eighth pole.