Southeast -- Eager racing fans may have to wait a few more days to witness the 2003 debut of Ogden Mills Phipps 2-year-old filly champion Storm Flag Flying.

Trainer Shug McGaughey said Thursday that the unbeaten filly may not be ready for a planned run in the seven furlong Forward Gal (Grade III) at Gulfstream Park on March 14. The trainer said a recent run of hot and humid weather slowed his star filly's progress.

"I'm on the fence," he said. "I think she might need some more time."

Thoroughbred Times reported that McGaughey has also decided to bypass the March 14 Bonnie Miss (GII) with Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Yell, an impressive winner in the Davona Dale (GII) on Feb. 23. The daughter of A.P. Indy will be pointed toward the Ashland (GI) at Keeneland on April 6.

West -- The rubber match looms for Robert and Beverly Lewis' Composure and John Paul Reddam's Elloluv as the 3-year-old fillies renew their budding rivalry in Saturday's $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (GI).

Elloluv scored a 30-1 upset over Composure in their first meeting in the Hollywood Starlet (GI) in December, but the Bob Baffert-trained Composure overcame traffic problems to even the score in last month's Las Virgenes (GI) at Santa Anita.

Only three rivals will join the big two in the starting gate in the 1 1/16-mile Oaks. Composure will be ridden by Jerry Bailey and is favored to take round three, but Dollase hopes that Elloluv and Pat Valenzuela can get the jump on her rival.

"The way it's playing out now, we'll probably see ourselves landing on the lead again," said Dollase.

Others in the field include Boo La Boo winner Long Term Wish and Arizona Oaks winner Harbor Blues.

Central -- Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's unbeaten Lady Tak is a narrow 7-5 morning line favorite in a small but powerful field of six in Saturday's $350,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (GII).

The Steve Asmussen-trained filly won the Thelma and Tiffany Lass Stakes at the New Orleans track in her last two starts, but the competition will be considerably stronger in the 1 1/16-mile Oaks. Her rivals on Saturday include the Bob Baffert-trained California invader Atlantic Ocean (8-5), who has won three consecutive stakes races, and Belle of Perintown (5-2), an 8 1/4-length winner for trainer Eddie Kenneally in the Silverbulletday (GIII) at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 15.

"We came here this winter with this race in mind and we have put ourselves in very good shape with a great chance," said Asmussen. "We are very aware that we have a good opportunity in front of us, but it won't be easy."

Explosive Beauty will bid for her third stakes win of the Oaklawn Park meet as the Cole Norman-trained filly heads a field of seven in Saturday's 1 1/16-mile Honeybee Stakes. Her major rivals include My Trusty Cat and Ruby's Reception.

East -- New Jersey-bred Powers Prospect is a narrow 2-1 morning line favorite in a well-matched group of seven fillies entered in Saturday's $50,000 Wide Country Stakes at Maryland's Laurel Park. Other contenders in the 1 1/16-mile race include Makin Heat (5-2), Recherche (3-1) and Grace Bay (7-2).

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