SALEM, NH - Joseph E. Carney, Jr., the man who helped rebuild and restore racing in New Hampshire as president and owner of Rockingham Park died Sunday after a long illness. He was 70.

As a founder of Rockingham Venture, Inc., Carney and his partners rebuilt the Rock in 1984 after a fire destroyed the grandstand in 1980. He led the track through 18 tumultuous years which saw some of New England's most historic racing events but also declines that have led to the abandonment of Thoroughbred racing and potential closing in two years.

Sunland Park, N.M. - Steve Asmussen is a force wherever he goes, and even though he is not stabled at Sunland Park he makes his presence felt here in a powerful way. After sending Cielo Girl out to take Sunday's $50,000-added Santa Teresa Handicap for older fillies and mares, Asmussen is 15 for 31 at the meet, good for fifth in the standings. More importantly, he has now won six of the thirteen non-restricted stakes run here.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Following Starrer's impressive victory against a strong field in Sunday's $300,000 , jockey Patrick Valenzuela issued a challenge to the connections of Horse of the Year Azeri.

"Against those mares and the way she did it, Azeri had better have her running shoes on," Valenzuela said.

The two mares are likely to meet in the future, perhaps as quickly as the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 5.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Brown Eyed Beauty picked up the first stakes win of her career Sunday when she ran down Southern Tour by two lengths to win the $50,000 at Oaklawn Park. It was another length and a quarter back in third to Run For A Little Bit.

NEW ORLEANS - Willie Sutton used to say he robbed banks because that's where they kept the money. Bobby Frankel decided at the last minute to switch courses and run Peace Rules at Fair Grounds in Sunday's $750,000 , in part because it offered a far bigger purse than Saturday's $200,000 El Camino Real Derby.

Frankel's confidence did not go very far, though. He told Ed Gann, the owner of Peace Rules, not to bother traveling from San Diego. "I told him we've got no chance," Frankel said. "I told him I thought it was a tough race, and I didn't think we'd win."

ALBANY, Calif. - Bare Necessities ($2.80) cruised to an easy five-length victory over Castling in the $64,050 Sacramento Handicap at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.

Bare Necessities sat five lengths off the pace of Bullish Miss in the one-mile race for older fillies and mares. She moved out on the second turn, easily taking the lead while expanding the margin through the stretch. Her winning time was 1:35.89.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Michael Matz could smile at last. After going winless for the first two months of the meeting, Matz finally saddled his first winner this winter when sending out Political Attack to outlast Miesque's Approval by a neck to upset Sunday's $100,000 at Gulfstream Park.

"We really needed that one," a relieved Matz said in the winner's circle following the Grade 3 Canadian Turf.

Political Attack also ended a long losing streak of his own, capturing his first race since winning Calder's Tropical Park Derby on New Years Day in 2002.

Souris delivered as the 3-5 favorite at Delta Downs in Vinton, La., on Saturday night when she drove to a length and three-quarter win over Lady Mallory in the $75,000 Wishing Well for 3-year-old fillies. It was another two and a quarter lengths back in third to Bridlestone.

Souris($3.20) tracked pacesetter Cat's Cat through fractions of 23.11 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.12 seconds for the half in the seven furlong race before taking over in the stretch. Souris went on to cover the distance over a fast track 1:27.07.

Catalissa added blinkers and picked up his second Sam Houston Race Park stakes win on Saturday night when he drove to a five length victory over On The Border in the $35,000 Texas Heritage for 3-year-olds. It was another length back in third to Leo's Last Hurrahy.

ALBANY, Calif. - Ocean Terrace ($11.60), making his first start around two turns, won the $200,000 at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Ocean Terrace stalked Onebadshark, taking the lead after the field had turned into the stretch. He finished well to hold off favored Ministers Wild Cat by 1 1/2 lengths, running the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.26. Ten Most Wanted was third, a nose behind Ministers Wild Cat with fast-finishing Winning Stripes fourth another length back.