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

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION AT GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Actor-comedian Eddie Murphy was at Golden Gate Fields on Wednesday, April 17 filming parts of his new action-suspense movie 'Metro.' In the movie, Murphy plays an inspector for the San Francisco Police Department who specializes in hostage negotiations. Murphy's character is also a racing fan and serious handicapper, hence the scenes at Golden Gate. The scenes shot at the Albany, Calif., racetrack focus on the action in the grandstand, but racing footage will be included.

The 'Metro' crew will return to Golden Gate to shoot additional scenes at the racetrack on Friday, April 19. The movie is scheduled for release in early 1997.

TWO SISTERS TEAM UP FOR STAKES SUCCESS
The team of trainer Kim Chapman and jockey Kristi Chapman paired up for an historic event when they won the Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland. When Wire Me Collect won, the duo became what is believed to be the first jockey-trainer combination of sisters to win a graded race. Ironically, Kristi's ride in Lafayette Stakes was the first time the 21-year-old jockey rode one of her sister's horses, and it almost ended before the race really started. When breaking from the gate, Kristi was nearly unseated when her saddle slipped to the right, causing her left foot to slip out of the stirrup. Then Wire Me Collect got bumped hard. It took Kristi about five or six strides to regain her balance and get her left foot back in the iron. The sisters plan to team up when Wire Me Collect makes his next start in either the Lexington Stakes on April 21 or the Derby Trial on April 27.

REMINGTON TO HONOR OKLAHOMA BOMBING RESCUE TEAMS SATURDAY
Remington Park will join Oklahoma City in honoring the Search and Rescue Teams involved in the aftermath of last year's bombing of the Murrah Federal Building by hosting a gathering in the track's infield on Saturday, April 20. The gathering is being held at the Oklahoma City racetrack at the request of the mayor's office to give the families of those affected by the bombing and opportunity to meet and honor members of the Search and Rescue Teams and their families. A live band will provide entertainment. All those who wish to attend the event will be given free parking and admission to the infield. The activities are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.

KENTUCKY DERBY DRAW TO BE TELEVISED
The Kentucky Derby post position draw will be televised live from the Churchill Downs Sports Spectrum on Wednesday, May 1 from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN. It marks the second year the event has been televised on a national level.

PRICES WERE UP AT KEENELAND'S TWO-YEAR-SALE
Keeneland's April sale of two-year-olds in training showed an increase of 11.8 percent in average prices over last year's figures. The sales topper was a colt sired by Easy Goer, who sold for $400,000. Keeneland reported a total of 124 horses sold for $14,305,000, an average of $115,363. Last year, 115 horses were sold for a gross of $11,865,000, an average of $103,174.

SIX TRACKS JOIN EQUIBASE COMPANY INFORMATION NETWORK
Equibase Company, the Thoroughbred industry's central database of race records, has added six racetracks to its roster of tracks receiving past performance information for their racing programs. The newest additions to the Equibase network are Blue Ribbon Downs (Sallisaw, Okla.), Finger Lakes (Canandaigua, N.Y.) Lone Star Jockey Club (Texas), Prairie Meadows (Altoona, Ia.), Trinity Meadows (Fort Worth, Texas) and Wyoming Downs (Evanston, Wy.).

'These tracks are serious about meeting the changing information needs of their fans,' said Alan Marzelli, Equibase Company president. 'Whether it be in support of live racing or ever-increasingly in the area of simulcasting, Equibase continues to provide leadership in the efficient dissemination of accurate racing information.'

THE ART OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Churchill Downs has signed an agreement with The Festival Gallery of Louisville, Ky., to develop officially licensed Kentucky Derby art and collectibles. The 'Art of the Kentucky Derby' will include an official Kentucky Derby winner's print which will be created annually by a noted equine artist. Each print will be signed by the winning owner, trainer and jockey, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Jockey's Guild Disabled Jockeys Fund. An official Kentucky Derby poster and print series, which will be the official Kentucky Oaks and Derby poster and ticket image, will also be marketed, along with official replicas of Derby and Oaks reserved seat tickets, issued in limited number and signed by the artist. Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum will also provide, at selected intervals, images from their archives and collection to be used as part of a nostalgic collection.

'The Kentucky Derby is truly an international event and we feel that the artwork associated with this American classic should mirror its status,' said Festival Gallery President Ben Isaacs. 'This will provide The Festival Gallery with an opportunity to capture the spirit and energy of the Kentucky Derby in what is assured to become a legacy of great imagery.'

RACING ON THE AIR
April 18 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 a.m., ESPN
April 19 'Racehorse Digest' 1:00-1:30 p.m., ESPN
April 20 '2-Day at the Races '6:00-6:30 p.m., ESPN2
April 20 Santa Barbara Handicap, Santa Anita, 6:30-7:00 p.m., Prime Sports
April 21 San Juan Capistrano, Santa Anita, 6:30-7:00 p.m., Prime Sports
April 24 'Racehorse Digest' 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN
April 25 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 a.m., ESPN
April 21 'Racehorse Digest' 1:00-1:30 p.m., ESPN
April 27 Kentucky Derby Preview, 4:40-6:00 p.m., ABC
April 27 Kentucky Derby Trial 5:00-5:30, ESPN2

April 19, 1952: Native Dancer won his first race, at Jamaica racetrack.

April 19, 1969: Bill Veeck, promoter and president of Suffolk Downs, staged a $10,000 race featuring all female jockeys, then a novelty in racing. Called the Lady Godiva Stakes, the event attracted such riders as Diane Crump, Tuesdee Testa and Robyn Smith. It was Penny Ann Early, however, who won the race -- her first career victory. The previous year, Early had attempted to ride at Churchill Downs, but the male jockeys boycotted and the race was canceled.

April 20, 1949: Jockey Bill Shoemaker won his first race, aboard Shafter V, at Golden Gate Fields, Albany, Calif.

April 21, 1973: In a surprising defeat, Secretariat finished third to stablemate Angle Light and runner-up Sham in the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct, his last start before sweeping the Triple Crown. The following day, Secretariat was found to have had an abscess in his mouth, which may have caused him discomfort while racing.

April 22, 1947: Citation won his first race by 1-2 length, at Havre de Grace.

April 23, 1977: Seattle Slew won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack, his sixth consecutive win and his third win of the season. The race was his final prep for the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

April 23, 1973: Secretariat and his stablemate Angle Light were flown to Louisville, Ky., to prepare for the Kentucky Derby.

April 26, 1853: En route to becoming England's first Triple Crown winner, West Australian won the 2,000 Guineas, the first of three races that comprise England's Triple Crown.

April 26, 1916: Sir Barton, the first winner of the Triple Crown, was foaled at Hamburg Place, Lexington, Ky.

April 26, 1961: Eclipse Award-winning jockey Jose Santos was born in Concepcion, Chile

April 27, 1943: Charles Dickey, one of the first jockeys to don a Navy uniform during World War II, was reported killed in action.

April 27, 1973: At Churchill Downs, Secretariat worked six furlongs in 1:12 3-5 in preparation for the May 5 Kentucky Derby.

April 29, 1976: The State of Connecticut opened its own betting parlors in 11 communities.

SATURDAY

FEDERICO TESIO DAY AT PIMLICO
Caesar's Wish Stakes, 3yo fillies, $75,000, 1 1-16M
Geisha Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 1-16M
Jennings Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 1-8M
Federico Tesio Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade III

RED LETTER DAY AT SPORTSMAN'S PARK
Six $75,000 races for Illinois-breds
Ashland Stakes, 3yo fillies, $500,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade I, Keeneland
The first two finishers in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, My Flag and Cara Rafaela, meet for the third time with each finishing in front of the other once. Since the Breeders' Cup, My Flag has run second in the Grade III Davona Dale Stakes and won the Grade II Bonnie Miss Stakes, both at Gulfstream Park. Cara Rafaela has run five times since missing by a half-length in the Breeders' Cup, winning the Grade I Hollywood Starlet Stakes Dec. 16. She has been second to Antespend in her last two starts. Others entered are: Dyna Whirl, winner of Keeneland's Appalachian Stakes; Mackie; and Coragil.

Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap, 3&up, $200,000, 1 3-16 Miles Turf, Grade III, Hialeah
International winner Broadway Flyer and Mecke, a graded stakes winner on turf and dirt, meet Signal Tap, who set a track record in winning the 1 1-8-mile Bougainvillea Handicap, March 31, his first race since the Breeders' Cup Turf. Flag Down, who has been close with Broadway Flyer as both chased Celtic Arms (FR) at Gulfstream, is also expected to run. Other probables are Diplomatic Jet, Danger Ranger and Roche Rock.

Santa Barbara Handicap, 4&up (f&m), $300,000, 1 1-4 Miles Turf, Grade II, Santa Anita
A short but solid field is scheduled to run, led by Wandesta (GB), second to filly sensation Windsharp in Santa Anita's Grade I San Luis Rey Stakes and Grade II San Luis Obispo Handicap. Without Windsharp in the field, Wandesta (GB) won the Grade II San Gorgonio Handicap, Jan. 14 at Santa Anita. Auriette (IRE) won an allowance race by four lengths in her last start and has been in the money in six of her eight U.S. starts. Angel in My Heart (FR) has a win and four seconds in her last five starts. She was the runner-up in the Grade I Santa Ana, matriarch and Yellow Ribbon Handicaps and the Group 2 Prix de l'Opera in France. Real Connection was a badly beaten fourth in the Santa Ana and is 0-for-5 this year.

Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Aqueduct

Star Shoot Stakes, 3yo fillies, $75,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade IIC, Woodbine

SUNDAY

San Juan Capistrano Handicap, 4&up, $400,000, 1 3-4 Miles Turf, Grade I, Santa Anita
Windsharp, winner over colts in her last two starts, meets Arlington Million winner Awad and last year's San Juan Capistrano runner-up, Special Price. Windsharp is on a three-race winning streak and took Santa Anita's Grade I San Luis Rey Stakes and Grade II San Luis Obispo Handicap, both at 1 1-2 miles, in her last two starts. Awad hasn't won since the Million last August, but has been running against the best, competing in the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Japan Cup. Special Price was second in the Grade II Caesars Palace Turf Championship Handicap last year but was sidelined until the San Luis Rey on March 24, where finished fourth, beaten 11 1-2 lengths. Others expected to run are Raintrap, Awesome Thought, Malmo and beau Temps.

Lexington Stakes, 3yo, $175,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Keeneland
Jim Beam Stakes winner Roar can punch his Kentucky Derby ticket with a good showing here, as can several others. Stakes winners Afleetaffair and Prince of Thieves as well as Commanders Palace, third in the Louisiana Derby, are expected to run.

New York Stallion Series, Park Avenue Division, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 1 Mile, Aqueduct

New York Stallion Series, Times Square Division, 2yo (c&g), $100,000, 1 Mile, Aqueduct

Vigil Handicap, 4&up, $75,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade IIC, Woodbine

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