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

GARY JONES TO RETIRE
Trainer Gary Jones has announced plans to retire April 22, following the current Santa Anita meet. The 51-year-old Southern California fixture started training after taking over for his father, Farrell Jones, following the latter's heart attack in 1975. Gary Jones suffered a heart attack in 1993 and will pass the reins to his 24- year-old son, Marty. Jones trained such notable horses as Best Pal, Kostroma and Lakeway.

CONGRESS PASSES COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION FOR SLAUGHTER ACT
On March 28, 1996, Congress passed the Commercial Transportation of Equine for Slaughter Act. The Act, supported by the American Horse Council, American Horse Protection Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Humane Society, Humane Society of the United States, as well as a host of Thoroughbred industry associations, was part of the Farm Bill. The initial legislation, which was modified when incorporated into the Farm Bill, was introduced in the Senate by Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

The new legislation gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to regulate the transportation of horses to slaughter, guarantees horses access to food and water at regular intervals, rest and the segregation of stallions from other equines. The Secretary may also require transporters to maintain appropriate records and reports. The Secretary is empowered to conduct investigations and inspections and enforce civil penalties.

'Special attention is required when transporting horses to slaughter because it's often a lengthy process and there are few facilities that handle horses across the country,' said Senator McConnell. 'Horses are a Kentucky tradition and they should be treated with respect in all situations, and this measure does just that by regulating the commercial transportation of horses to slaughter and assuring that it is handled in a safe and humane way.'

'This legislation is a big step forward,' said James Hickey, president of the American Horse Council. 'It gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to develop sound regulations that will protect the well-being of horses transported to slaughter. We must now work with the Secretary to formulate regulations that will ensure that horses are transported as safely and humanely as possible.'

LATE NOMINEES TO THE TRIPLE CROWN
Six additional horses were nominated to the Visa Triple Crown Challenge, bringing the total number of horses to 360. The horses, each of which were nominated at a late fee of $6,000 are: Best Secret, Feather Box, Harrowman, Jewelled Road, Romano Gucci and Zarb's Magic. Late nominations closed March 31.

SHERGAR MYSTERY MAY BE SOLVED
The remains of a horse exhumed in Donegal, Ireland, may solve the mysterious disappearance of the Aga Khan's champion horse Shergar, who was kidnapped in 1983 from Ballymany Stud in broad daylight. DNA tests will be run on the remains of the horse uncovered two weeks ago and will be compared to the DNA of some of Shergar's 35 offspring and two hair samples taken from the champion prior to his abduction.

A report in the Times of London quoted Des Leadon, head of the clinical pathology unit at the Irish Equine Centre in Johnstown, County Kildare, who expressed confidence that positive identification beyond scientific doubt would be possible. 'We have pre- disappearance source tissue of Shergar available to help in the testing procedure,' said Leadon.

Shergar, winner of the 1981 Epsom and Irish Derbies, was stolen from the Aga Khan's stud farm on the eve of the 1983 breeding season. The mystery has caused much speculation as to what happened to the horse after the owner refused to pay a two million pound ransom for his return. It has been widely speculated that the horse was shot to death within days of his disappearance and that members of the Irish Republican Army were the kidnappers.

ESPN'S 'RACING TO THE BREEDERS' CUP' SCHEDULE
ESPN'S 1996 'Racing to the Breeders' Cup' will feature 14 races, 13 of which are Grade I events, with purses totaling $7 million. The eight-show series kicks off Aug. 3 with the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga and concludes with the Oct. 20 Breeders' Cup Special, a 90- minute preview of the top contenders in each Breeders' Cup race. Three of the races in the series carry purses of $1 million.

The races in the series and their telecast times on ESPN are as follows (all times Eastern): Aug. 3 Whitney Handicap, Saratoga Racecourse, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Aug. 4 Haskell Invitational, Monmouth Park, and the Jim Dandy Stakes, Saratoga Racecourse, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Aug. 10 Pacific Classic, Del Mar Racecourse, and Sword Dancer Handicap, Saratoga Racecourse, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Aug. 24 Beverly D, Arlington International, and Travers Stakes, Saratoga Racecourse, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Aug. 25 Arlington Million, Arlington International, and Iselin Handicap, Monmouth Park, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Sept. 14 Woodward Stakes and Man o' War Stakes, Belmont, 4:00-5:00 p.m.; Sept. 15 Woodbine Million, Woodbine Racecourse, Futurity Stakes and Matron Stakes, Belmont, 4:00-5:30 p.m.; Oct. 20 Breeders' Cup Special, 3:30- 5:00 p.m.

The series will be hosted by Dave Johnson and Charlsie Cantey, with analysis from Tom Durkin and Bob Neumeier.

CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT AT EQUIBASE
The Management Committee of Equibase Company, the Thoroughbred industry's central database of race records, has accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Richard LeBer, it was announced Wednesday. LeBer, who joined Equibase in 1994, is returning to Atlanta, Ga., where he formerly worked with the consulting firm of McKinsey and Company.

In making the announcement, Management Committee Chairman James E. Bassett III said that there were no immediate plans to add new resources to the company, established as a partnership between The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America (TRA) in 1990. Instead, the Management Committee appointed The Jockey Club's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Alan Marzelli, who also serves as Treasurer of Equibase, to the position of President on an interim basis.

Bassett said that the decision not to seek a replacement for LeBer at this time had been taken in order to encourage a stronger presence for the Equibase Management Committee, which includes each of the regional officers of the TRA.

'It's a reflection of the stability and success of our partnership that we can now look toward putting more control over the task of building on this success in the hands of the racetracks for whose patrons Equibase was created,' Bassett said. 'We wish Richard every success in his new career and feel fortunate to have with us someone of the acumen and experience of Alan Marzelli to steer us toward an even more successful future in the service of our great sport of Thoroughbred racing.'

In tendering his resignation, LeBer emphasized that the move was not influenced by any change in his commitment to Equibase, about which he remained positive, both as to the future and to what had already been achieved. 'Equibase now enjoys a sound base as the Thoroughbred industry's standard for data collection and dissemination,' said LeBer. 'And the company is ideally placed to take further advantage of continuing developments in communications technology in the future.'

MILLION DOLLAR GIVE AWAY ON TAX DAY
Ten fans will have a chance to win $1 million in Suffolk Downs' second annual 'Million Dollar Match the Flags' contest on April 15. One fan will be selected at random after each race at the E. Boston, Mass., racetrack. The contest features a 100-square grid containing betting vouchers in varied amounts hidden beneath identical 'flags.' Two of the vouchers will be worth $100. Contestants will have two tries to correctly match the two $100 vouchers for a $1 million payoff.

Patrons who don't get an identical match of the $100 vouchers will get to keep the amount of the vouchers they do uncover. In the event that the million-dollar match is not correctly selected, a guaranteed consolation prize of $1,000 will be paid to the person with the highest total value in betting vouchers.

MONMOUTH TO INDUCT THREE INTO HALL OF CHAMPIONS
Monmouth Park will induct two champions and one popular horse into its Hall of Champions when the track opens May 25. Inside Information, the 1996 Eclipse Award-winning Older Filly or Mare, Lord Avie, the 1980 Juvenile Champion and Teddy Drone, a popular Monmouth horse, are the latest inductees.

'We're proud to welcome these three talented and popular stars to Monmouth's Hall of Champions,' said Hal Handel, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which manages the Oceanport, N.J., racetrack. 'Each (horse) has made a major contribution to Monmouth's storied past.'

JOCKEYS' GUILD ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF BOOSTER CLUB
The Jockeys' Guild recently announced that it has formed a Jockey Booster Club with all profits from the program benefiting the Disabled Jockeys Fund. Members will receive six editions of Jockey Trading Cards; two jockey yearbooks, a Jockeys' Guild hat, coffee mug, lapel pin and membership card and a subscription to the organization's magazine 'The Jockey News.'

Those joining before April 20 will be eligible for a drawing for two tickets to the 1996 Kentucky Derby May 4; those joining by May 4 will be eligible for Preakness tickets and on Preakness Day, May 18, there will be a drawing for tickets to the Belmont Stakes.

The initial membership fee is $100. The Disabled Jockeys Fund supports 46 permanently disabled riders who require wheelchairs, automobile hand controls, tuition assistance or other miscellaneous items and services to help them cope with their disabilities.

Additional information on the booster club may be obtained by calling (502) 222-1200.

CIGARS ALL AROUND AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Capitalizing on the current craze for cigars that are smoked and Cigar the horse, Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., will host a cigar aficionados' event during Kentucky Derby week, May 1-4. The track will sell imported cigars at 10 locations throughout the facility and feature demonstrations of cigar-rolling during the promotion.

RACING ON THE AIR (all times Eastern)

April 4 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 a.m., ESPN
April 4 'Racehorse Digest' 1:00-1:30 p.m., ESPN
April 6 Flamingo Stakes, Hialeah 4:00-5:00 p.m. ESPN
April 6 Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Park 4:30-6:00 p.m. ABC
April 10 'Racehorse Digest' 3:00-3:30 p.m. ESPN
April 11 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 a.m. ESPN
April 11 'Racehorse Digest' 1:00-1:30 p.m. ESPN

RACING TO HISTORY

April 6, 1954: Bold Ruler, Horse of the Year in 1957 and Round Table, Horse of the Year in 1958, were foaled at Claiborne Farm, Paris, Ky.

April 7, 1973: In his second start as a three-year-old, Secretariat won the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct as the 1-10 favorite. His time of 1:33 2-5 for the mile equaled the track record for that distance.

April 7, 1979: Jockey Steve Cauthen made his first race in England a winning one, with Marquee Universal (IRE), at Salisbury.

April 8, 1971: New York City Off-Track Betting opened for business. Two branches were available to accept wagers: the Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan and an outlet in Queens. Total handle, including telephone betting, was $66,091.

April 8, 1991: Rider-turned-trainer Bill Shoemaker was paralyzed after an automobile accident.

April 9, 1962: Jockey Ron Turcotte rode his first winner, at Fort Erie Racetrack.

April 11, 1945: Triple Crown winner Citation, Horse of the Year in 1948, was foaled at Calumet Farm, Lexington, Ky.

April 12, 1873: Fair Grounds, the nation's third-oldest racetrack, began its inaugural meet.

April 12, 1948: After winning seven consecutive races, Citation lost the Chesapeake Trial Stakes by a length to Saggy, but rebounded to post 16 consecutive victories, including the Triple Crown.

April 12, 1969: Jockey Sandra Schleiffers, one of the first female riders in America and a former member of the Sisters of St. Francis convent in Clinton, Iowa, won her first career race at Turf Paradise. Schleiffers subsequently became the first woman to be admitted to the Jockeys' Guild.

April 13, 1913: Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham was born in San Diego, Calif.

April 15, 1940: With the start of the racing season at Jamaica, New York became the last major racing state to adopt electronic parimutuel wagering, thus eliminating on-track bookmaking.

April 15, 1941: In preparation for the May 3 Kentucky Derby, Whirlaway worked 1 1-8 miles in 1:52 at Keeneland.

WEEKEND STAKES

SATURDAY
Santa Paula Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 6 1-2 furlongs, Santa Anita
Last year, D. Waynel Lukas's filly star Miraloma defeated colts before suffering an early-season injury. This will be her much- awaited return.

Potrero Grande Handicap, 4&up, $200,000, 6 1-2 furlongs, Grade III, Santa Anita
Sprinters Lit de Justice, Kingdom Found and Track Gal are joined by handicap star Dramatic Gold.

Santa Anita Derby, 3yo, $1,000,000, 1 1-8 miles, Grade I, Santa Anita
Eight are entered in the 59th running of the Santa Anita Derby. D. Wayne Lukas's two starters, Honour and Glory and Prince of Thieves, head the field. Honour and Glory won his last start, the San Rafael Stakes at a mile on March 2, while Prince of Thieves was fourth in his last start, the March 17 San Felipe Stakes. Alyrob, fourth in his last attempt, the Feb. 4 Santa Catalina Stakes, should move up after surgery for an entrapped epiglottis. Rounding out the field are: Cavonnier; last year's Hollywood Futurity winner Matty G; E C's Dream; Corker; and Super Mining.

Oaklawn Handicap, 4&up, $750,000, 1 1-8 miles, Grade I, Oaklawn
A strong field of eight runners highlights Oaklawn's premier race. Mr Purple, winner of the $1 million Grade I Santa Anita Handicap, March 2, meets Bill Mott's uncoupled entry of Wekiva Springs and Geri. Wekiva Springs won the Gulfstream Park Handicap, March 2, and was second to Cigar in the Donn Handicap. Lightly raced Geri won the Creme Fraiche Handicap by 5 1-4 lengths over Halo's Image in his last start. Patio de Naranjos (CHI), a multiple Group 1 winner in his native Chile, was third in his first attempt on a dirt track in the New Orleans Handicap. should give the Chilian a good run. Others entered are: Halo's Image; Judge T C; Luthier Fever; and Scott's Scoundrel.

Flamingo Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, 1 1-8 miles, Grade III, Hialeah
Fountain of Youth winner Built For Pleasure heads a field of 10. Undefeated Will's Way and Bill Mott's Tampa Bay Derby runnerup El Amante, will provide the main competition. Cat On Tour, a Florida homebred who was sixth in his last start in the Ocala Breeders' Sales Championship struggled on a sloppy track and should find the going better. Completing the field are: Play It Again Stan; Bold Lache; Representative; Tour's Big Red; Premier Majesty; and Laughing Dan.

John B. Campbell Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 3-16 miles, Grade III, Pimlico
Miss America Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $150,000, 1 mile (Turf), Grade III, Golden Gate

Sportsman's Park Budweiser Breeders' Cup, 3&up, $100,000, 1 mile, Sportsman's

Westchester Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 mile, Grade III, Aqueduct

SUNDAY

Santa Lucia Handicap, 4&up (f&m), $75,000, 1 1-16 miles, Santa Anita

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