TRC THOROUGHBRED NOTEBOOK

May 30, 1996

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

CIGAR TO RACE IN 1997?
In a teleconference this afternoon, owner Allen Paulson stated that 1995 Horse of the Year Cigar may not be retired after the Breeders' Cup Classic this fall. Paulson said he would not be opposed to campaigning the reigning champion next year if the horse continues to dominate the racing world. 'If he continues to do as well as he's been, then I would consider running him next year,' Paulson said. 'We'll have to wait and see how he's doing and Bill (Mott) and I will make a decision.' Paulson did rule out a return to the United Arab Emirates for the second annual Dubai World Cup before retiring his champion to stud. 'The Dubai race is too late in the year,' Paulson noted. 'It would be logistically impossible to run him (in late March) and then send him to the breeding shed.'

SALUTE TO JOCKEY JERRY BAILEY AT SUFFOLK DOWNS FRIDAY
Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby, will be honored Friday, May 31, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Mass. Bailey, who will be aboard 1995 Horse of the Year Cigar the following afternoon in the Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk, will sign autographs and ride on the day's twilight card. The track will have commemorative photos of Bailey and Cigar available to the public for a donation to the Jockey's Guild's Disabled Jockeys Fund.

The 38-year-old Bailey began his riding career in New Mexico in 1974 and relocated to New York in 1982. He has won the Kentucky Derby twice, in 1993 aboard Sea Hero and this year on Grindstone. He has also won the $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic four times, including the last three with Arcangues, Concern and Cigar.

CIGAR DRAWS POST THREE AND IS ASSIGNED 130 POUNDS
Cigar drew post position number three for Saturday's Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs and was installed as the one-to-nine favorite in his quest for his 15th consecutive victory. Cigar will be carrying a career-high 130 pounds in the $250,000 race, but there appears to be little chance of his winning streak coming to an end. Of his five opponents, only one, Personal Merit, is a graded stakes winner.

In the history of the Mass 'Cap, only two horses have been assigned more weight than Cigar will be carrying: Discovery, 138 pounds in 1935 and 136 pounds in 1936; and Gun Bow, 131 pounds in 1965. The best finish by these highweights was Gun Bow's second-place finish. Only two horses have ever won the Mass 'Cap carrying 130 pounds: Seabiscuit in 1937 and Whirlaway in 1942.

'WEIRD AL' EATS INTO RACING, BUYS FILLY
Weird Al Yankovic, the comic musician best known for his parodies of popular music, has become a part-owner of a Thoroughbred racehorse. Yankovic became a partner in a four-year-old unraced filly owned by Michele Bateman, a publicist for Weird Al's record label, Attic Records. The Canadian-bred filly is currently named Fashion's Best, but in true Weird Al fashion, her name will be changed at the conclusion of 'The Horse With No Name Contest,' which began May 27. Ten percent of any purse money earned by the filly will be donated to charity.

Yankovic, who will receive none of the horse's earnings, will visit his filly at Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto, Canada, Sunday, June 2 for a photo opportunity.

FULL-CARD SIMULCASTING CLEARS ANOTHER HURDLE IN OHIO
A bill that would bring full-card, out-of-state simulcasting to Ohio's racetracks appears to be near fruition. The General Assembly is expected to wrap up its work on the so-called Ohio's Horse Racing Industry Survival Bill in Columbus today, after the Senate passed the bill May 28. By a 31-to-2 vote, the Senate cleared the way for one final action on Substitute House Bill 561 -- a return to the House floor for approval on some technical changes to the tax language. As long as the state's anti-gambling governor, Republican George V. Voinovich, does not veto it -- which is not expected -- the bill would become law without his signature after 10 days and would go into effect 90 days later, meaning Ohio's three Thoroughbred and four harness tracks could begin simulcasting this fall.

CHINA TO HOLD HORSE RACING NEXT WEEKEND
The Mapo racecourse near Beijing, China, will offer $14,500 in purse money, the most ever, when more than 100 horses compete at the track June 8 and 9. One of the races offered will be the Jockey Club Cup, which will be sponsored in part by the Beijing Equestrian Sports Association and the Welfare Education Fund, marking only the second time a horse race has been sponsored by official government organizations.

RESERVE SEATS AVAILABLE FOR EMERALD OPENING WEEK
Reserved seats in the Grandstand and Clubhouse are available for opening week at Emerald Downs, the new Auburn, Wash., racetrack set to open June 20. Reserve Grandstand seats are $2 and Clubhouse Reserve seats are $2.50. General admission is $3, while Clubhouse admission is $5. Reserve seats for Opening Day are sold out. To reserve seating during the meet, call (206) 931-8400.

RACING ON THE AIR

June 1 'Racehorse Digest' 5:30-6:00 a.m., ESPN
June 1 Massachusetts Handicap, Suffolk Downs, 4:00-5:00 p.m., ESPN
June 5 'Racehorse Digest' 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN
June 6 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 a.m., ESPN
June 8 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m., ESPN
June 8 Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park, 4:30-6:00 p.m., ABC

RACING TO HISTORY

May 30, 1903 Flocarline became the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes.

May 30, 1941 Hollywood Park introduced the 'vibrationless camera,' developed by Hollywood cameraman Lorenzo del Ricio. Eight patrol judges with the cameras, which were attached to their binoculars, were stationed at intervals around the track. Jockey Nunzio Pariso was the camera's first victim -- he was shown on film crowding a rival on the far turn.

May 30, 1969 Patricia Barton won her first career race, at Pikes Peak.

June 1, 1881: Pierre Lorillard's Iroquois became the first American- owned and -bred horse to win a European classic race when he won the Epsom Derby under one of England's greatest riders, Fred Archer. Iroquois won seven of nine starts as a three-year-old, including England's St. Leger Stakes.

June 1, 1973: In his final tuneup for the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, Secretariat went six furlongs in 1:11 3-5, doing the first three furlongs in :35 2-5 and five furlongs in :59.

June 1, 1978: In his first start ever on the turf, eventual 4-time champion grass horse John Henry won a $35,000, 1 1-16-mile claiming race by 14 lengths at Belmont Park. John Henry was voted champion turf horse for the years 1980-81 and 1983-84.

June 2, 1943: Trainer Hirsch Jacobs claimed two-year-old Stymie for $1,500. By the end of 1947, Stymie had become the world's leading money-winning Thoroughbred, with earnings of $816,060 and 22 stakes victories.

June 2, 1947: After a 10-year layoff, 13-year-old Honey Cloud won the second race at Aqueduct.

June 4, 1913: At odds of 100-1, Aboyeur became the first and only horse to win the Epsom Derby by an on-course disqualification after Craganour, who won by a head, was disqualified for bumping. During the race, a suffragette had rushed onto the track and pulled down the King's horse, Anmer. The suffragette, Emily Davison, died of a fractured skull.

June 4, 1941: Three days before his race in the Belmont Stakes, which would complete his Triple Crown, Whirlaway worked 1 1-4 miles in 2:02 2-5.

June 5, 1943: Count Fleet ended his racing career by winning the Belmont Stakes by 25 lengths. He was the sixth American Triple Crown winner.

June 5, 1969: Jockey Mary Bacon won her first race, at Finger Lakes. Among apprentices, she finished 23rd in the races won category that year, with 55 victories in 396 starts and purses of $91,642. Bacon was the first female to join the list of leading apprentices.

June 5, 1985: Steve Cauthen won the Epsom Derby aboard Slip Anchor and became the only American jockey to win both the English and Kentucky Derbies. Cauthen had previously ridden Affirmed to victory in the 1978 Kentucky Derby.

June 5, 1993: Julie Krone became the first female rider to win a Triple Crown race when she won the Belmont Stakes with Colonial Affair.

June 6, 1919: Man o' War won his first race ever, a 5-furlong contest over a straightaway at Belmont Park. He won by six lengths, running the distance in 59 seconds, and went off at odds of 3-5. In each of his 20 subsequent races, Man o' War was the odds-on favorite.

June 6, 1972: In preparation for his colt's July 4 racing debut, trainer Lucien Laurin put blinkers on two-year-old Secretariat for the first time. Secretariat responded by working a half-mile at Belmont Park in :47 3-5, the fastest work of his life up to that date.

June 6, 1987: Bet Twice became the first horse to receive a Triple Crown bonus after winning the Belmont Stakes over rival Alysheba. He earned $1 million in addition to the first-place money.

June 6, 1992: Carl Gambardella won his 6,000th career victory, aboard Nip of Gin, at Rockingham Park.

June 7, 1936: Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg was born in Columbus, Neb.

June 7, 1941: Whirlaway won the 73rd running of the Belmont Stakes and became the fifth horse to win the Triple Crown.

June 7, 1986: Trainer Woody Stephens saddled Danzig Connection to win his fifth consecutive Belmont Stakes. Woody won the previous races with Conquistador Cielo (1982), Caveat (1983), Swale (1984), and Creme Fraiche (1985).

June 8, 1985: Brushwood Stable's Creme Fraiche became the first gelding to win the Belmont Stakes.

June 8, 1991: Julie Krone became the first female rider to compete in the Belmont Stakes. Her mount, Subordinated Debt, finished ninth as the third-longest shot in the field. Also on that date, Mane Minister became the only horse to finish third in all three Triple Crown events.

WEEKEND STAKES

SATURDAY

Massachusetts Handicap, 3&up, $250,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Suffolk
Horse of the Year Cigar was installed as the morning line favorite with odds of 1-9 as he attempts to bring his win streak to 15. The six-year-old horse drew post position three and will carry regular rider Jerry Bailey and 130 pounds. The field in post position order (with weights) is: Prolanzier (109); Will to Reign (109); Cigar (130); Northern Ensign (109); Personal Merit (111); and Hogan's Goat (108).

Cigar is scheduled to arrive at Suffolk Downs Friday afternoon via a state police escort.

Fleur de Lis Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $150,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade III, Churchill
Serena's Song heads a field of nine in Saturday's Fler de Lis Stakes. Serena's Song, recent winner of the Pimlico Distaff on May 18 was installed as the highweight with 126 lbs. Jockey Gary Stevens will ride the Champion filly. The rest of the field is: Alcovy, winner of the Grade III Sixty Sails; Halo American; the 1995 Kentucky Oaks winner Gal In Ruckus; Golden Par, winner of an allowance race at Churchill; Teewinot; Slew Kitty Slew; Sadie's Dream; and Heavenliness.

SUNDAY

Californian Stakes, 3&up, $250,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Hollywood
Helmsman, winner of the Grade I Strub and Grade II San Fernando Stakes earlier this year breezed five furlongs over the Hollywood Park turf course in preparation for Sunday's Californian Stakes. Other probables include Santa Anita Handicap winner Mr. Purple, Del Mar Dennis, Tinner Way, Score Quick and Siphon.

OTHER RACES THIS WEEKEND- SATURDAY

Carry Back Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Calder

Lago Mar Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 5 Furlongs Turf, Calder

Azalea Breeders' Cup Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade III, Calder

Genuine Risk Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade II, Belmont

Harry Henson Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 7 1-2 Furlongs, Hollywood

Lady Baltimore Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $75,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Pimlico

Miss Woodford Handicap, 3yo fillies, $75,000, 6 Furlongs, Monmouth

Oakland Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Golden Gate

Sea O'Erin Stakes, 3&up, $100,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Arlington

Selene Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade IC, Woodbine

OTHER RACES THIS WEEKEND- SUNDAY

Jefferson Cup, 3yo, $75,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Churchill

Nassau Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $75,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade IIC, Woodbine

Sheepshead Bay Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 3-8 Miles Turf, Grade II, Belmont

The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com/alauck)