News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Inc. (TRC) (212.371.5911..)

TICK-BORNE DISEASE POSES POSSIBLE THREAT TO U.S. HORSE POPULATION
On Dec. 13, the Georgia Department of Agriculture offered a waiver to the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the governing body of international equestrian competitions, that would allow some European horses infected with Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) to enter the United States for the 1996 Olympic Games. If the FEI agrees to the 20 provisions outlined in the waiver by Jan. 5, 1996, an estimated 20 to 90 percent of the nearly 6 million horses in the U.S. could be at risk of death from EP.

The real possibility of a grave risk to the U.S. horse population has already prompted the commissioners of agriculture for Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana and Oklahoma to consider banning any horse competing in the Olympics as well as any Georgia-based horses from entering their states if the waiver is put in place. American Horse Council President Jay Hickey expressed the AHC's opposition to granting any waiver for EP-positive horses in a letter addressed to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irwin and to U.S. Department of Agriculture Commissioner Daniel R. Glickman.

According to an AHC fact sheet, EP is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by a parasite that attacks the red blood cells in horses. It is characterized by fever, anemia, weight loss and jaundice, and in some cases, death, in as little as 24 to 48 hours in acute cases. It is reported that death from EP may be as high as 20 percent among susceptible animals such as horses that live in non- endemic areas like the U.S. The U.S. horse population is extremely at risk because there is not a natural presence of the disease here to stimulate a natural immunity to the disease. The U.S. horses industry has supported the piroplasmosis rules for nearly 20 years because we have a susceptible population of nearly 6 million horses. There are two types of parasites, Babesia Caballi and B. Equi. Of the two types, only B. Caballi is easily treated. The ticks most commonly implicated in the transmission of EP are known to exist in Georgia. Ticks infected with B. Caballi can transmit the disease to their offspring. In this way, even if an infected tick never feeds on another horse the disease can be established in the tick population, making it possible for horses in the future to be infected by other ticks.

Concerned horse owners should contact the American Horse Council at (202) 296-4031, members of Congress and your state Commissioner of Agriculture.

MEDIA ECLIPSE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The winners of the 1995 Eclipse Awards for media were announced Thursday, Dec. 21. ABC's Wide World of Sports garnered its eighth Eclipse Award for National Television Achievement. ABC was selected for its depiction of the human drama of the Triple Crown through a variety of special segments and feature stories which were part of the network's telecast of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. 'It is an honor to accept the Eclipse Award on behalf of the dedicated personnel who have worked long and hard to make our Thoroughbred racing coverage the best in the business,' said Curt Gowdy Jr., coordinating producer of Wide World.

The 1995 Eclipse Award for Local Television was awarded to John Miglietta for his video portrait of Irish-born trainer Leo O'Brien. The piece aired March 13 on 'Stateside,' a series on WNYC-TV in New York which examined the lives of contemporary Irish in New York.

The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Radio Achievement was awarded to Victor Stauffer for his story 'Back in the Saddle' which chronicled the comeback of Jim Jordan, a jockey who lost a leg in an accident.

The winners were selected by a panel of representatives of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America, the National Turf Writers Association and Daily Racing Form.

KEENELAND GIVES $335,589 TO CHARITY, EDUCATION, RESEARCH
The Keeneland Association presented checks totaling $335,589 to 57 Kentucky-area charitable, research and educational organizations on Monday, Dec. 18. During a brief program at the Lexington, Ky., racetrack, Keeneland President Bill Greely and his staff made the presentations, which bring Keeneland's total contributions through the years to $7.2 million.

'We're extremely pleased to share the success of our racing and auction sales with organizations which benefit so many people throughout the community and state,' said Greely.

Keeneland has pledged $250,000 over a five-year period to the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation which will be used to help fund construction of a health education center to be named in Keeneland's honor. The center will include a 250-seat auditorium and three meeting rooms to be used for on-going education for physicians, employees and health-related public groups.

Among the other recipients of Keeneland's generosity are: St. Joseph Foundation ($50,000); Racetrack Chaplaincy of Central Kentucky ($35, 000); United Way of Kentucky and University of Kentucky ($30,000 each); Transylvania University ($25,000); Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and Ronald McDonald House ($12,500 each); the Living Arts and Science Center ($15,000); Chrysalis House, Cardinal Hill Hospital and the Children's Advocacy Center of the Blue Grass ($10,000 each over two years).

In related news, the California Horse Racing Board approved the distribution of $515,000 to 86 charities, which benefited from charity racing days at Hollywood Park in Inglewood.

CHURCHILL DOWNS SELLS INTEREST IN INDIANA TRACK TO CONSECO
Churchill Downs announced Wednesday an agreement through which Conseco, Inc. will purchase a 10 percent interest in Hoosier Park, Indiana's only parimutuel racetrack. The transaction is estimated to be valued at $2.8 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Conseco, a diversified holding company, will acquire the interest in the Indiana racetrack and its three satellite wagering facilities in the state from Churchill. After the purchase, which is subject to approval by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, Churchill will continue to manage Hoosier Park and its satellite sites. The agreement also provides Conseco a three-year option to increase its equity interest in Hoosier Park to 57 percent. Churchill would continue to manage the operations if the option is exercised.

RACECALLER DENMAN WILL NOT RETURN TO HOLLYWOOD PARK IN 1996
Trevor Denman will not be calling races at Hollywood Park for the spring-summer meet in 1996, it was announced Wednesday, Dec. 20. Denman will be pursuing other opportunities which conflict with the Inglewood, Calif., racetrack's dates. 'The decision is clearly personal, a life decision, if you will, to break out into other fields,' said Denman. 'I want to state clearly the I have enjoyed a terrific five years at Hollywood Park...if circumstances change or if special projects arise, I would love to work for Hollywood Park again.

'Trevor Denman is the best race announcer in America and we will miss him,' said Hollywood Chairman R.D. Hubbard. Hollywood Park will consider all options before making a decision on a new announcer for its 1996 meets.

STEEPLECHASE RACES GAIN GRADED STATUS
The National Steeplechase Association (NSA) has devised a plan which will give graded status to nine of their jump races. The NSA adopted the program in order to provide a structured format for the steeplechase season and allow fans a way to follow the sport. The five races allotted Grade I status (each with a purse of $100,000 or more) are Atlanta Cup and Iroquois in the spring, the New York Turf Writers at Saratoga in August, and the Breeders' Cup Grand National and Colonial Cup in the fall. An additional nine races may receive graded status if their purses are increased and an application is made prior to the start of the season in March. In addition to the gradings, the NSA's open division will include a series and bonus system in 1996, which will be funded by nomination fees.

PRELIMINARY DERBY COVERAGE TO EXPAND
ESPN and its ESPN2 will provide a total of 15 hours of pre-race coverage for the Kentucky Derby beginning in 1996, under the terms of a new agreement between the cable company and Churchill Downs, site of the Derby. The schedule of events is as follows (all times are Eastern): Wednesday, May 1 6:00-6:30 p.m., ESPN Derby Post Position Draw; Thursday, May 2 6:00-6:30 p.m., ESPN Up Close With Chris Myers; Friday, May 3 7:00-9:00 a.m., ESPN2 Breakfast on the Backside; 3:30- 5:00 p.m., ESPN2 Kentucky Oaks Special; 5:00-6:00 p.m., ESPN Kentucky Oaks; 6:00-6:30 p.m., ESPN Up Close With Chris Myers; 9:00-10:30 p.m., ESPN2 Derby Night of the Stars; Saturday, May 4 7:00-9:00 a.m., ESPN2 Breakfast on the Backside; Noon-2:00 p.m., ESPN2 Kentucky Derby Special2; 2:00-4:30 p.m., ESPN Kentucky Derby Special; 6:00-7:00 p.m., ESPN2 Kentucky Derby Wrap-Up.

FLA'S RACING COMMUNITY BRINGS EARLY CHRISTMAS TO FLORIDA'S NEEDY CHILDREN
The Women's Thoroughbred Action League (WTAL) is sponsoring a Merry Christmas for some of Florida's needy children Thursday, Dec. 21. The party will assist 'Kids in Distress,' a private, non-profit agency that provides responsive prevention and treatment programs for abused, neglected or abandoned children. Gifts purchased through donations from Thoroughbred racehorse owners, trainers, jockeys, exercise riders, hotwalkers, Calder Race Course and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Agency will be distributed to 66 children ranging in age from three weeks to 12-years-old. The party will be held at the 'Kids in Distress' Wilton Manors facility.

BREEDERS' CUP WILL PRESENT HIRSCH WRITING AWARDS AGAIN IN '96
Breeders' Cup Ltd. has announced that it will present the second annual 'Joe Hirsch Breeders' Cup Writing Awards' to a magazine writer and a newspaper writer for stories written about the 1995 Breeders' Cup Championship. The two awards will be presented in the week leading up to the 13th running of the Breeders' Cup, set for Oct. 26, 1996 at Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto. Entries must be published before Jan. 1, 1996 and they must be received by Jan. 30, 1996. Last year's winners were Jay Hovdey ('The Blood-Horse') and Jay Posner ('San Diego Union-Tribune').

(For additional information about rules and participation, contact Dan Metzger, director of communications at Breeders' Cup Ltd., at (606) 223-5444.)

FORBES LOOKS AT RACING AND ITS PROBLEMS
Joshua Levine has written a three-page article on racing for 'Forbes' magazine, entitled 'Requiem for a Thoroughbred?', which appeared in the Dec. 18 issue. The article touches on familiar themes in racing: the perceived need for 'superstar' horses and more cooperation between track operators, recent efforts to attract younger patrons through alternative forms of entertainment, and the sport's declining attendance. The latter, Levine explains, can be blamed on 'the rise in riverboats, off-track betting, Indian reservation casinos and other local gambling options that offer a cheaper, simpler way to lose a buck.'

'How,' Levine queried, 'do you get (patrons) ... back to the track? Marketers are coming up with schemes that would probably make Damon Runyon and his storied characters head for the exits themselves. Would 'Harry the Horse' really approve of a petting zoo, face painting and pony rides for kids in the Belmont grounds? Harry the Horse lived to play the ponies, but he'd rather die than ride one.' And since Runyon 'would never approve' of current marketing techniques for racing, Levine concludes, 'that's part of the problem' facing racetracks today.

RACING ON THE AIR
Dec. 22 'Racehorse Digest' 1:30-2:00 a.m., ESPN
Dec. 23 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m.,ESPN
Dec. 27 'Racehorse Digest' 3:30-4:00 p.m.,ESPN
Dec. 30 'Racehorse Digest' 1:30-2:00 a.m., ESPN
Dec. 30 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m., ESPN
Jan. 3 'Racehorse Digest' 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN

RACING TO HISTORY
Dec. 22, 1957: Jockey Randy Romero was born in Erath, La.

Dec. 22, 1991: Jockey Kent Desormeaux, at age 21, won his 2,000th race aboard Saron Lake, trained by Gary Jones, at Hollywood Park. He was the youngest jockey to reach that mark and did so faster than any other rider.

Dec. 23, 1944: James F. Byrnes, Director of War Mobilization and Reconversion, urged that all racing in the United States cease by January 3rd as a means of furthering the war effort.

Dec. 25, 1934: Santa Anita Park opened in Arcadia, Calif. A five- year-old mare, Las Palmas, won the inaugural race, the California- Bred Handicap, before a crowd of 30,777.

Dec. 27, 1982: English trainer Michael Dickinson saddled 12 winners, a record.

Dec. 28, 1946: Hall of Fame jockey Jorge Velasquez was born in Chepo, Panama.

Dec. 29, 1946: Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. was born in Panama City, Panama.

Dec. 31, 1966: Ogden Phipps' Buckpasser, trained by Eddie Neloy, won the 13th consecutive race of his three-year-old season after taking the Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Park. He was voted Horse of the Year and also took top three-year-old and handicap horse honors for 1966.

Dec. 31, 1982: After a year-long battle for leading rider honors, Pat Day edged Angel Cordero Jr. by two races, which he won after chartering a plane to fly to Vinton, La., where he rode Dana's Woof Woof and Miltons Magic to victory during the evening program at Delta Downs. Day won the title - his first - with 399 wins to Cordero's 397.

Dec. 31, 1989: Jockey Kent Desormeaux set the world record for most number of wins in a single season, 598, when he rode two-year-old East Royalty, trained by Phil Thomas Jr., to victory in the tenth race, the Inner Harbor Stakes, at Laurel Racecourse. He surpassed the old record, set by Chris McCarron, by 52.

Dec. 31, 1993: Jockey Mike Smith set the record for most number of stakes victories in a single year, 62, with a win aboard Bit of Puddin in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes at Aqueduct.

Jan. 1, 1942: Racing in California was officially canceled. On December 16, the West Coast military authorities had requested that Santa Anita Park postpone its meeting indefinitely due to war conditions.

Jan. 1, 1975: Secretariat was represented by his first Thoroughbred foal, a filly named Miss Secretariat, born in Kentucky to the mare My Card.

Jan. 2, 1945: As World War II approached its climactic finish, racing throughout the U.S. was banned indefinitely at the request of James F. Byrnes, War Mobilization Director. While Thoroughbreds could not be transported in the U.S. for racing purposes, the Office of Defense Transportation subsequently approved the shipment of racehorses to tracks that were more than 300 miles beyond U.S. borders. The ban was not lifted until May, causing the rescheduling of the Triple Crown races.

WEEKEND STAKES

SATURDAY
Native Diver Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade III, Hollywood
Best Pal, the third-leading North American money winner of all time with career earnings of $5,668,245, looks to repeat in the race that he won in 1994. This year, the seven-year-old has two wins in eight tries with a second in his last start, the California Cup Classic. His main competition is his conqueror in that race, Luthier Fever.
Gravesend Handicap, 3&up, $75,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade III, Aqueduct
La Prevoyante Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $150,000, 1 1-2 Miles Turf, Grade II, Calder
Maryland Juvenile Championship, 2yo, $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Laurel
Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Laurel
Virginia Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade III, Calder

SUNDAY
Dahlia Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade II, Hollywood

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