SALEM, N.H. - Cox's Sweep will have a chance to reinforce his leadership of the local sprint division when he totes top weight of 123 pounds in Saturday's $25,000 Manchester Handicap at Rocking-ham Park.

When last they met, the home team won. That was when Golden Antigua, based at Arlington Park with Wayne Catalano, pulled a mild upset over the invading Star Queen in a July 21 race at Arlington.

On Saturday, Star Queen, a Kingmambo filly, will be on more familiar turf when facing Golden Antigua and nine other fillies and mares in the $50,000 Dade Turf Classic at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky. Star Queen, trained at Churchill Downs by Pete Salmen Jr., clearly has the credentials to turn the tables in a well-matched race, which goes at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Ruidoso Downs announced on Thursday a $4 million bonus for the connections of any horse who can win the Ruidoso Futurity, the Rainbow Futurity, and the All American Futurity, the track's three Grade 1 Quarter Horse races for 2-year-olds.

The bonus would start in 2003 and be paid out over 20 years at $200,000 per year.

Since the winner of the All American Futurity receives $1 million, the total earnings for any horse sweeping the three races would exceed $5 million.

The only horse to win all three races was Special Effort in 1981.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Six weeks apart, trainer Clifford Sise swept the 2-year-old stakes for California-bred fillies at the Del Mar meeting.

On Wednesday, Whitewinesipper ($3.80) won the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes, remaining unbeaten after two starts. On July 20, the Sise-trained Asian Adventure won the $125,000 California Thoroughbred Association Stakes. "We thought if we played our cards right, we could win the first one and the second - and it worked," Sise said.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Steve Asmussen, jockey Donnie Meche, and most of the betting public were surprised when Cashier's Dream was beaten by You following a prolonged stretch duel in the Adirondack Stakes. But with You back in the barn on Friday, there should be no surprises when Cashier's Dream takes on six seemingly overmatched rivals in the $200,000 Spinaway Stakes, a Grade 1 for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.

DEL MAR, Calif. - Notable Career has not raced in 10 months; Cindy's Hero has not raced successfully around two turns. If those were their only hurdles, the $75,000 Torrey Pines Stakes Friday at Del Mar would be a two-filly race.

However, lightly raced Tamara Princess threatens to emerge as a division leader, and despite having raced only twice, she is the key starter in the Torrey Pines. A mile race for 3-year-old fillies, the Torrey Pines also attracted longshots Irguns Angel, Warren's Whistle, Elaine's Angel, and Emerald Magic.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Sky Chariot, a nominee to Saturday's Grade 2 Niagara Breeders' Cup Handicap, has found a softer spot in Friday's Woodbine feature, a $62,000 optional claimer on the grass.

A 14-horse field will line up in the one-mile race, not including main-track-only entrant On the Game.

EDMONTON, Alberta - After spending eight years at Hastings Park in Vancouver, jockey Richard Hamel made the trek east over the Rocky Mountains to Alberta in 1998.

Just 28 years old at the time, Hamel was considering changing careers but wanted one more shot. Now, four years after the difficult decision, Hamel is all smiles and on pace to reach his goal of 100 victories in 2001.

AUBURN, Wash. - The emphasis will be on youth at Emerald Downs Friday, as five of the eight races on the card, including the feature, are for 2-year-olds.

The feature, the seventh race, is a six-furlong dash for $16,000 to $14,000 claimers that has attracted a field of eight horses.

DEL MAR, Calif. - There is enough time remaining in the Del Mar meeting for Chris McCarron to salvage a disappointing season.

Through Monday, McCarron had four winners at Del Mar and was not among the top 10 in the jockey standings. In addition, he had yet to win a stakes, which is typically his strength, considering his alliance with many top barns.

"It's been slow," McCarron said in the stables on Wednesday between workout assignments. "It's been disappointing, but not devastating."