Horse racing is a family business, with sons often following fathers.

Richard Lewis took that big step Friday at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale, where he took his place in the stewards’ stand. His father, Leon Lewis, was a longtime steward.

Richard Lewis recently was accredited as a safety steward but took his place in the stand for one day when Grant Baker had to conduct an informational event for state workers at Golden Gate Fields.

If there’s a hallmark of 21-year-old jockey Kyle Frey’s career, it’s resiliency, but that trait is facing its sternest test yet as Frey returns to action following a 90-day suspension May 2 through July 30 after testing positive for “synthetic cannabinoids: spice.”

As he has done in the past, Frey is meeting his issues head on and is determined to overcome it.

AUBURN, Wash. – While the field for Sunday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile took shape around him, likely favorite Stryker Phd went through his final paces this week at Emerald Downs.

In his final serious tune-up, he zipped four furlongs in 46 seconds Sunday, after which trainer Larry Ross pronounced him “pretty much ready” for a smashing effort in the Northwest’s richest race.

“He had a great work,” Ross said of the late-running Stryker Phd. “I had him in 46 and 2, and he galloped out in 58 and change. He’s had three works now, and he’s pretty much ready.”

The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Futurity, a restricted Grade 1 event worth an estimated $1 million, highlights an expanded stakes schedule for the 2014 fall Quarter Horse racing season at Evangeline Downs, which begins Oct. 1.

Total purses for the 2014 stakes schedule are approximately $1.5 million, an increase of more than 7 percent from last year. There are 13 black-type events, up from seven last year.

Trials for the $150,000-added Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Sales Futurity took place at Fair Grounds last Friday, which was opening day for the 12-program Quarter Horse meeting. The 350-yard final is slated for closing day, Sept. 5.

Heza Louisiana Dash posted the fastest qualifying time of 17.331 seconds in winning the ninth of the 10 trials. The Kenny Roberts charge knocked off Louisiana Jambalaya, who posted the second-fastest time of 17.387 in winning the second heat of the afternoon.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockeys Corey Nakatani and Elvis Trujillo have agreed to a three-round exhibition boxing match at Del Mar after the races Aug. 30 to aid the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

They will have a weigh-in between races Aug. 29.

Del Mar is playing host Aug. 30 to six other fights, with the main event a professional bout between WBC Caribbean champion Ruben “El Cobra” Garcia (10-0, five knockouts) of Cancun, Mexico, and Javier “El Bravo” Gallo (21-9, 12 knockouts) of Buena Park, Calif.

For information on the fights, go to ringsideatdelmar.com.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Less than a month after undergoing knee-replacement surgery, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens was a morning visitor to Del Mar on Tuesday and said his rehabilitation was going a bit better than expected.

“I think it’s going to be quicker than everybody thought,” Stevens said.

When he first had the surgery, Stevens said he hoped to be back riding by January if his knee cooperated. But that decision is still several months away.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Secret Circle, last year’s winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds Tuesday at Del Mar under jockey Martin Garcia as he prepares for his comeback at the fall Santa Anita meeting, which begins at the end of September.

Bob Baffert, who trains Secret Circle, said he would like his fall 2014 campaign to mirror 2013 – a prep race early in the meet, followed by a title defense in the BC Sprint.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A big smile came over the face of jockey Rajiv Maragh when his mount, Wicked Strong, drew post 7 in a field of 10 for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga, positioning him outside his two main rivals, Bayern in post 2 and Tonalist in post 6.

“I think that’s very ideal to be drawn outside of Bayern and Tonalist as opposed to being inside,” Maragh said. “I think we’re very fortunate with the way the posts are drawn. It gives me many options.”

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – In a memo to horsemen, Steve Koch, vice president of Thoroughbred racing for Woodbine Entertainment Group, said improvements would be made to the main-track surface at Woodbine in September.

“WEG management has engaged the expertise of Tapeta Footings to identify strategies for improving the track cushion,” Koch wrote. “We are planning significant investment in the Polytrack for this September that should generally improve performance.”

Woodbine installed the current Polytrack synthetic surface in the summer of 2006.