COLUMBUS, Neb. - Irish Flyer, fresh off a strong victory over male opponents in the Amadevil Handicap, returns to the filly and mare ranks to face seven others in Sunday's $7,000-added Bill Callihan Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Trained by Terrell Hemmer, Irish Flyer picked up her stakes win of the year in the Amadevil, where she posted an $18 upset over High Dice. Armando Martinez rides from post position 2.

Irish Flyer gets a fresh challenge in this spot with Be My Friend, Real Intrusion, and Cindy's Doll lurking in the field.

Just Scarlet, who has become a better horse since learning to settle off the pace, is after her second straight stakes win Sunday in the $50,000 Lyrique Handicap at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La.

The 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies drew seven others, including Sheza a Nasty Lady, who was a troubled third to Just Scarlet last out in the $50,000 Chapel Belle, and the Cole Norman-trained trio of Fresita, Bonus Bid, and Chosen.

The only things that have stopped Majestic Dinner from dominating his fellow Ohio-breds over the last 14 months have been the River Downs turf course and a bad start.

While there are no real preventive measures for the bad start, Majestic Dinner won't have to worry about not liking the surface when he seeks a repeat win in the $75,000 Governor's Buckeye Cup at River Downs on Sunday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Following Zavata's 6 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park on May 27, trainer Patrick Biancone was quoted as saying "at least until the end of August, he will be tough to beat."

"Bailey said nobody will beat him till the end of August," said Biancone, who said he was just reiterating what jockey Jerry Bailey told him. "I look forward to him being right."

DEL MAR, Calif. - The last three weeks have been less than ideal for Buffythecenterfold, who will attempt to stretch her unbeaten streak to four races in Saturday's $250,000 .

Since her hard-fought win in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes on Aug. 10, Buffythecenterfold has missed 10 days of training because of illness. She only returned to the racetrack late last week.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Impeccably bred full brothers Strike Smartly and Full of Wonder will form an intriguing Sam-Son Farm entry in Saturday's Grade 1, $335,400 Niagara Breeders' Cup Handicap at Woodbine.

The 1 1/2-mile turf race, which is a prep for the Grade 1 Canadian International, has also lured unbeaten Perfect Soul, along with United States invaders Bicentennial and Sumati.

EDMONTON, Alberta - The province's top 2-year-old fillies will be in the spotlight at Northlands Park in Saturday's $50,000 Bird of Pay at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Raylene was outstanding in the $40,000 Princess Margaret here Aug. 2, taking the lead down the backstretch en route to a 7 1/2-length romp.

A Kentucky-bred owned by Calmar Stables and Ranch and trained by Rod Haynes, Raylene will be the favorite but will be pushed by Dowhatuthinksright, the top 2-year-old Alberta-bred filly.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Buckeye Bates should be heavily favored over six other older horses when he goes for his sixth straight win Saturday at Hastings Park. The 6 1/2-furlong race carries a top claiming price of $25,000, and attracted former stakes winner Name for Norm, who won his comeback race after being away for almost four years.

AUBURN, Wash. - Trainer Bud Klokstad has a pair of aces in Saturday's top offering at Emerald Downs, a six-furlong race for $25,000 fillies and mares that has drawn a field of eight.

Klokstad will saddle the well-matched duo of Elegant Colors and Personal Decision, who will race as an entry owing to common ownership.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Zabenz, a New Zealand-bred who made his U.S. debut only one week ago, came back on short rest to win one of the country's most prestigious jump races, dominating the $100,000 New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase Handicap by 7 1/4 lengths over a soft course at Saratoga on Thursday.