MIAMI - A favorable post position could help Castlebrook regain her place atop the local filly and mare handicap division when she takes on six rivals, including 3-year-old Valid Forbes, in Saturday's $50,000 Nancy's Glitter Stakes at Calder.

The Nancy's Glitter, named for the only filly to sweep all three legs of Calder's Florida Stallion Series, is restricted to registered Florida-breds and will be decided at 1 1/16 miles.

The race highlights an outstanding 12-race program that offers in excess of $300,000 in purse money.

Very early in his 3-year-old season, Fajardo was considered a fringe candidate for the 2000 Triple Crown.

But after Fajardo was trounced in a second-level allowance at Gulftream, trainer Bill Mott quashed all talk about the Kentucky Derby, opting for a less ambitious agenda.

ALTOONA, Iowa - One of the six 3-year-old fillies in the $75,000 Prairie Meadows Oaks will score her first stakes victory here Saturday night, but the focus of attention will be on jockey Shane Sellers's return to competition following an eight-month absence caused by a serious knee injury.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - If this is the Arlington Sprint, then Bet on Sunshine must be in town.

Indeed, a horse van from Louisville brought Bet on Sunshine to Chicago on Tuesday, when the 9-year-old gelding began final preparations for the richest sprint race of the Arlington meet. On Saturday, owner David Holloway and 20 of his closest relatives and friends will be on hand, hoping that Bet on Sunshine can win his 20th career race under Holloway's yellow-and-blue silks.

Betting on races at Saratoga Race Course has not shifted toward the wagers with newly lowered takeout rates, according to figures provided by the New York Racing Association.

Bettors at the track, who account for approximately 22 percent of the Saratoga handle, seem to have adapted to the new rates, wagering much more on the reduced takeout bets. But horseplayers around the country have not followed suit, and the overall handle has not changed.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It's just not that easy to beat City Zip at Saratoga. Trainer Linda Rice is hoping that proves the case again when she saddles City Zip in Saturday's $200,000 King's Bishop on the Travers undercard.

City Zip, undefeated in four stakes at Saratoga, is the likely favorite over seven other 3-year-olds entered in the Grade 1 King's Bishop at seven furlongs.

Last year, City Zip pulled off a rare sweep when he became only the fourth 2-year-old to win the Sanford, Saratoga Special, and the Hopeful, which he won in a dead-heat with Yonaguska.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - At the post position draw for Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes, Rick Violette, the trainer of Free of Love, was asked what the perfect scenario would be for his horse to win the Midsummer Derby.

"If E Dubai stumbles and gets in Point Given's way and we're loose on the lead," Violette said.

Although Violette was joking, it just may take a freak occurrence to prevent Point Given from winning Saturday's 132nd Travers and cementing his status as the leading 3-year-old colt and Horse of the Year candidate.

EDMONTON, Alberta - Eastern Canadian invader Stage Classic looks to add another western derby to his laurels when he faces six foes in the Canadian Derby at Northlands Park Saturday.

The Grade 3 Canadian Derby, at 1 3/8 miles, is worth $150,000. The card also includes the $50,000 City of Edmonton Distaff and the $35,000 Westerner Handicap.

Woodbine-based Stage Classic, winner of the Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs on Aug. 6, will be ridden by Constant Montpellier and break from post 3.

FORT ERIE, Ontario - The current Fort Erie meet, which was scheduled to end Oct. 30, will be extended two weeks and run through Nov. 13. The eight extra programs brings the total racing days for the year to 116. Last year year there were 107.

"It's predicated on Ontario Racing Commission approval," said track manager Eddie Lynn who foresees no problem at a hearing set for Aug. 30. "It's adding days instead of taking them away. Hopefully this will serve as a benchmark for the number of racing dates next season."

EDMONTON, Alberta - While the Canadian Derby is the main event Saturday at Northlands Park, the Westerner Handicap and City of Edmonton Distaff each provide interesting sidelights for local racing fans.

In the $35,000 Westerner, for 3-year-olds and up at 1 5/16 miles, the story line is as much about who won't be running as it is about who will compete.

As expected, trainer Ron K. Smith will offer up an entry of Tyko Tycoon and Run Joey Run, who will be joined by last year's Canadian Derby winner, Scotman.