ETOBICOKE, Ontario - In recent years, the Sky Classic Handicap has served as the major local prep for the Canadian International.

But when the International was moved forward on the Woodbine stakes calendar this year, the Niagara assumed the prep role for the International, and the Sky Classic was scheduled for late in the meeting.

That turn of events could not have been more fortuitous for Dawn Watcher, an up-and-coming 3-year-old who will be seeking his third straight turf win here in Sunday's Sky Classic.

Quarter Horses make an appearance at Louisiana Downs on Sunday when fastest qualifier Mr Mallard goes for his sixth career win in his ninth start in the Grade 1, $218,080 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Futurity.

There were 12 trials run over two days, Oct. 11-12, with the five fastest times from each day advancing to the finals.

The search for a winner in the $55,000 Straight Deal Stakes, the lone route among three stakes on Sunday's card at Delaware Park, may lead handicappers to utter a four-letter word - Shag or Brig. Both are coming off stakes victories and have the ability to stalk and pounce in a speed-filled field of 13 fillies and mares.

The Straight Deal, which will be contested at a mile and 70 yards, is supported by a pair of $40,000 stakes for registered Virginia-bred 2-year-olds at six furlongs.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Meadows opens its 2001-2002 meeting on Saturday with a 10-race card topped by the $10,000-added Inaugural Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Star of Dawn looks like the horse to beat in Saturday's feature, a conditioned $8,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, which drew seven horses.

Hastings Park will open its gates at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday to accommodate an early start to its simulcast schedule, which includes the World Thoroughbred Championships from Belmont. The first Breeders' Cup race, the Distaff, goes off at 10:20 Pacific. Post time for the first live race is 1:10 p.m.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Feathers, who recorded her only stakes victory here last fall in the Bessarabian Handicap, could be peaking in time for Saturday's $111,400 Ontario Fashion Handicap.

The six-furlong dash for fillies and mares is the feature race on the Breeders' Cup Day card at Woodbine, which begins at 11:30 a.m.

PHOENIX - Saturday's $30,000 Mesa Handicap will be the 3-year-old Knoll Lake's first start against elders. Knoll Lake, who has towered over her peers at Turf Paradise, figures to be the prohibitive choice against seven foes in the 6 1/2-furlong Mesa off a monster return win here Sept. 30 in the Ahwatukee Express.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - The rain that has plagued racing at Arlington for more than a month could be a blessing for Vinnie's Boy and his connections. Saturday's $50,000-added Taylor's Special Stakes will be run over a mushy turf course - if it is run on turf at all - the same sort of conditions under which Vinnie's Boy scored his last win.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The two horses surrounding him in a crowded photo in the Meadowlands Cup have been deemed good enough to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic. But for Broken Vow, trying the world's best handicap horses Saturday at Belmont just didn't present the right set of circumstances.

NEW YORK - The New York Racing Association will make significant renovations to Aqueduct in order to house thousands of video-lottery machines at the racetrack next year, NYRA officials said Thursday.

Although even basic details have yet to be worked out, NYRA officials are certain that an area of the track will be set aside for VLT players. VLTs are nearly identical to slot machines - including the bells and whistles.