River Downs will begin its 122-day thoroughbred racing meeting Saturday. Monday will be the “dark” day, except Memorial Day May 27 and closing day, Labor Day, Sept.2. Post time daily will be 1:05 p.m.

        The Cincinnati track will not offer the 7&7 format previously shared with Thistledown.

        Fifteen stakes races are scheduled, highlighted by the $200,000 Miller Genuine Draft Cradle Stakes and the $100,000 Pepsi Bassinet Stakes on the closing weekend. Ohio-bred Harlan's Holiday won last year's Cradle and is considered one of the favorites for the May4 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

        Last year, with a return to the traditional afternoon post time instead of twilight racing, River Downs posted a gain of more than $800,000 through on-track wagers. A total of $52,265,442 was wagered at RD. Total handle was down $314,459, with $62,990,649 bet, including simulcast centers around the nation.

        Hector Rosario Jr. won his first riding title during the Jockey Club portion, winning with 65 of his 298 mounts. Rodney Prescott, who won the earlier Turf Club portion, finished second in the standings with 51 victories. Both are expected back this year.

        Albert Palacios won both training titles with 32 wins from 175 starters. Ron Hale Jr. and Charlie Lawson were the runners-up to Palacios.

        TURFWAY PARK: The Northern Kentucky oval continued declines in both handle and attendance. On-track and total handle for the winter-spring meeting that concluded Thursday were down 4 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, while on-track attendance decreased 13.1 percent over 2001.

        DERBY NOTE: Request for Parole, who finished a close third behind winner Perfect Drift and Azillion in the Lane's End Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park after winning the Battaglia Memorial and WEBN Frog Stakes, will skip Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and train up to the Kentucky Derby, trainer Steve Margolis said.

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