HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering has launched an investigation into the mysterious chain of events following the death of Casual Conflict, a 9-year-old gelding who broke down in the seventh race Monday at Gulfstream Park, was euthanized on the track, and later had his leg amputated by a veterinarian.

Back Street Gal has done everything asked of her, but she faces her toughest test Saturday when she meets six 3-year-old fillies in the $10,000 Ms. Stakes at Portland Meadows in Portland, Ore.

Back Street Gal won her debut in a $12,500 maiden claimer on Nov. 16 for leading trainer Jim Fergason. She came back two weeks later and won the Lassie Stakes in her only other start.

Back Street Gal drew the outside post 7 for the six-furlong race.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The stakes races in northern California can wait for Redattore, who returns from a six-month break in a $70,000 allowance race at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Trainer Richard Mandella considered sending the 8-year-old Redattore to Golden Gate Fields for Saturday's Tanforan Handicap, but has opted to stay home for an easier spot. Mandella had a simple reason: Redattore developed a low-grade pneumonia when he was sent to Emerald Downs in August for the Longacres Mile, and his trainer is reluctant to ship.

"I don't want to get him sick again," Mandella said.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - If the track surface at Oaklawn, where racing was canceled Thursday because of snow, happens to be wet Saturday, it should not bother Emily Ring, who faces four rivals in the $50,000 American Beauty.

The six-furlong stakes tops an 11-race card that also features the seasonal debut of Crafty Shaw, who finished second to Lido Palace in the Grade 2, $400,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill in his last start.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Got Koko was overlooked when she pulled an upset at 17-1 in the La Brea Stakes Dec. 28.

In the El Encino Stakes on Jan. 19, she was the second betting choice, and proved her La Brea win was no fluke by overcoming a wide trip for a stylish win.

When Got Koko returns on Saturday in the $200,000 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita, she will be the center of attention. A victory will make her only the third 4-year-old filly to win all three races in the La Canada series, joining Taisez Vous (1978) and Mitterand (1985).

ALBANY, Calif. - A pair of hard-knocking local horses will try to upset a trio of graded winners in Saturday's $100,000 Tanforan Handicap at Golden Gate Fields.

Trainers Dennis Ward and Chuck Peery know they are asking a lot of Surprise Halo and Cappucino Kid, respectively, to go against the likes of Grade 1 winner Sligo Bay, Grade 2 winner Seinne, and Grade 3 winner Devine Wind in the 1 1/16-mile turf race.

But Ward believes his runner, Surprise Halo, will be a factor in the lane despite his apparent lack of credentials.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Though Grey Comet won last month's Count Fleet Stakes in front-running fashion, trainer Gary Contessa still believes his undefeated 3-year-old New York-bred is better with something to run at.

Be careful what you wish for, Gary.

NEW ORLEANS - Distinctive Code has a problem.

"She's so big, she barely fits in the gate," said trainer Larry Robideaux.

But once she gets out, there's nothing at all wrong with Distinctive Code. A 4-year-old amazon of a filly, Distinctive Code has won five times and finished second five times in a productive 14-race career, and Saturday she has found a spot to win the first stakes of her career when she starts in the $75,000 Pan Zareta Handicap at Fair Grounds.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The pattern is a familiar one. Last winter, Moon Queen returned 14 weeks after finishing off the board as the favorite in Aqueduct's Grade 2 Long Island Handicap to register a 6 1/2-length victory in Gulfstream Park's Grade 3 The Very One Handicap. On Saturday, Moon Queen is back to defend her title in The Very One in her first start since finishing far back as the favorite in the Long Island Handicap.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Steve Flint is going to leave well enough alone. The trainer got away once with running Allamerican Bertie on the turf. The second time, she finished last.

Now, said Flint, "We're going to let her do what she wants to do."

That is running two turns, on dirt, and daring anyone to catch her. That is the prospect 10 rivals face in Saturday's $100,000 at Gulfstream Park. Allamerican Bertie figures to be both the favorite and the one to catch in the Grade 3 race at 1 1/16 miles.