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

REPORTS OF CAVONNIER'S RETIREMENT MAY HAVE BEEN PREMATURE
When Cavonnier pulled up in the June 8 Belmont Stakes with a bowed tendon, all predictions were that the gelding's career as a racehorse were over and that he would enjoy a life of leisure at Bob and Barbara Walter's Sebastopol, Calif., ranch. However, an experimental treatment developed by a team of scientists and veterinarians may enable Cavonnier to return to racing as early as next year. 'We're very hopeful for Cav,' said Barbara Walter. 'Doctors at the University of California at Davis tell us he's an ideal candidate for the treatment. We haven't made any alternative plans should it not be successful.'

The drug, beta-aminopropionitrile or BAPN-F, which is derived from the seeds of the wild sweet pea, has not received FDA approval yet. According to a report in the June 1, 1996 'Blood-Horse' magazine, Dr. Bill Davis, a human vascular surgeon from Arizona who heads the research team, said the potential for success in repairing tendon damage is high when BAPN-F is administered and a prescribed rehabilitation program is followed.

'In excess of 75 percent of the horses who suffer medium to severe bows will come back and perform at the same level as before their injuries in at least four races,' Dr. Davis was quoted in the article.

Dr Ron Genovese, an Ohio-based veterinarian who has participated in some of the BAPN-F research has had impressive results with the medication. One of Dr. Genovese's success stories is Onion Roll who suffered a severe bowed tendon. After receiving treatment, Onion Roll equalled the world record for a quarter mile (:20 4-5).

A bowed tendon is similar to tendinitis and usually occurs in the superficial flexor tendon between the knee and ankle. A bow results from the tearing of the connective tissue fibers that comprise the tendon. When injury occurs, the tendon does not heal properly and the developing scar tissue will cause the tendon to become short and thick, increasing the chance for reinjury. BAPN-F prevents the formation of misaligned scar tissue. Combined with a gradually- increasing exercise, the tendon is gradually stretched to its normal length and gliding function.

Under the regimen developed by Dr. Davis, a horse is treated with BAPN-F 30 days after the injury. The medication is injected into the tendon every other day until the horse has received five treatments. During each treatment, BAPN-F is injected at multiple sites, ranging from a dozen when the damaged area is small, to 40-50 if it's severe. The exercise program begins with walking and gradually builds to swimming, galloping and then breezing and racing. The whole process takes a minimum of 10 months.

'Everyone has been so supportive of Cav,' said Mrs. Walter. 'There's an elementary school down the road from our ranch and the second- and third- grade students sent Cav a get well card and notes. It was wonderful.' The local newspaper has also taken a great interest in the gelding.

JOCKEYS ACROSS AMERICA DAY VIII SET FOR JULY 6
Jockeys Across America Day VIII, the annual national fund-raiser for the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund, will be held Saturday, July 6 at approximately 60 racetracks throughout the United States and Canada. The MacBeth Fund, established by comedian Tim Conway and jockey Chris McCarron and his wife Judy, provides assistance to disabled jockeys and exercise riders. Since the program was initiated in 1987, almost $3 million has been raised and assistance has been given to 750 riders.

On Jockeys Across America Day, fans as well as jockeys are asked to make donations at various fund-raising events at racetracks around the country. Contributions to the MacBeth Fund may be sent to: Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund, 505 S. Beverly Dr. (#1019), Beverly Hills, Calif. 90212.

JOCKEY RIDES HER WINNER -- A HORSE SHE BRED, RAISED AND TRAINS
Alexandra Madigan fulfilled her lifelong dream at River Downs Racetrack in Cinncinati on Monday, July 1. The 33-year-old apprentice rider won the fourth race on City of Angels, a horse she bred, helped deliver and raised on her Paris, Ky., farm. Madigan is also the owner and trainer of City of Angels.

'It's what I've waited for my whole life,' said the five-foot, nine- inch rider who had to lose nearly 15 pounds for her winning effort. 'This horse is the reason I got my jockey license. I pulled him from his mother, broke (trained) him and have been on him since day one.'

Madigan, a native New Yorker, was a regular on the horse-show circuit before making the switch to racehorses. She worked at Belmont Park for trainer John Parisella. 'He got me started, and with my parents' help I bought a six-acre farm in Paris, Kentucky,' Madigan explained. 'I have six or seven in training and I plan to ride them all. I feel unbelievable; it's the dream of a lifetime.'

The two-year-old City of Angels will make his next start in a stakes race at River Downs. Then it will be on to the $200,000 Miller Genuine Draft Cradle Stakes in the fall. 'After that, I'll try for my biggest dream -- to win the Kentucky Derby on him. This was the first stepping stone.'

After her winning ride, Madigan was 'initiated' into the jockey colony with the traditional dousing of buckets of water, eggs, mustard, ketchup and chocolate syrup. 'I really didn't feel it,' laughed Madigan. 'This was a once in a lifetime day.'

POLO AT RIVER DOWNS TO BENEFIT SPECIAL WISH FOUNDATION
River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio, will host its first polo match in the track's infield on Saturday, July 13. The Infinity of Cincinnati Polo Charity will benefit A Special Wish Foundation. In addition to the eight-goal polo match, patrons can visit a trackside Horse Fair, which will feature a Parade of Breeds and the Cincinnati Mounted Patrol. An antique car show and vendors selling equine-themed merchandise will also be present in the infield. Admission is $1 per person. There are also VIP patron tables available for $200 which seat four. For tickets and information, call A Special Wish Foundation at (513) 231-1111 or River Downs at (513) 232-8000.

EPSOM DERBY TO KEEP SATURDAY DATE
Next year's Epsom Derby will be run on a Saturday, despite increasing support to return the race to its traditional date of the first Wednesday in June. Executives at the English racecourse, Epsom Downs, met with the race's sponsor, Vodafone last Tuesday and announced their decision on June 27. Attendance and television ratings for this year's Derby were down, as it clashed with England's opening match in the European Soccer Championships.

RACING ON THE AIR

RACING TO HISTORY

July 3, 1937: Del Mar Racetrack opened.

July 3, 1977: Seattle Slew's nine-race winning streak came to an end in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park, when he finished fourth, beaten 16 lengths by J.O. Tobin.

July 3, 1982: D. Wayne Lukas-trained Landaluce, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., won the first of her five consecutive victories at Hollywood Park. The daughter of Seattle Slew, owned by Barry Beal and Lloyd French, died of a viral infection in November of that year, but was posthumously voted champion two-year-old filly of 1982.

July 4, 1954: Two-year-old Ribot won his first race, the Premio Tramuschio. He concluded his career in 1956, with 16 wins in as many starts.

July 4, 1972: Two-year-old Secretariat, ridden by Paul Feliciano, ran fourth to winner Herbull in his racing debut, blocked badly throughout the race, at Aqueduct. It was the poorest placing of Secretariat's illustrious career.

July 4, 1978: Trainer D. Wayne Lukas won his first $100,000 stakes race -- over the turf -- taking the American Handicap with Effervescing, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., at Hollywood Park.

July 5, 1991: Jockey Ray Sibille won his 3,000th career race, aboard Sporting Surf at Pleasanton.

July 6, 1975: Locust Hill Farm's undefeated filly Ruffian engaged Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure in a match race at Belmont Park. Racing on the lead, Ruffian sustained a severe leg injury and was pulled up by jockey Jacinto Vasquez. Ruffian was humanely destroyed the following day.

July 6, 1977: In the second of their 10 meetings, Alydar defeated Affirmed to win the Great American Stakes at Belmont Park. This was the first of Alydar's three victories over Affirmed.

July 10, 1982: Landaluce, a two-year-old daughter of Seattle Slew, won the Hollywood Lassie Stakes by 21 lengths under the guidance of Laffit Pincay Jr. She ran the six furlong race in 1:08, just 3-5 of a second off the track record at Hollywood Park.

July 12, 1971: Bold Ruler, sire of 82 stakes winners, including Secretariat, died at Claiborne Farm.

July 13, 1986: Jockey Kent Desormeaux rode his first winner, a 3- year-old filly named Miss Tavern, in the fifth race at Evangeline Downs.

July 14, 1951: In his last race, Calumet Farm's 6-year-old Citation won the Hollywood Gold Cup by four lengths, and became racing's first millionaire horse.

July 15, 1966: Dr. Fager won his first race by seven lengths at Aqueduct racetrack. He was sent off at odds of 10-1.

July 15, 1972: After finishing fourth in his racing debut on July 4, Secretariat won his first race, under jockey Paul Feliciano. The six- length victory occurred at Aqueduct.

July 15, 1987: Jack Van Berg became the first trainer to win 5,000 races when he sent Art's Chandelle, a $10,000 claimer, to victory at Arlington Park.

Dwyer Stakes, 3yo, $150,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Belmont
Unbridled's Song is scheduled to be entered but may challenge Cigar in Chicago, July 13. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner is perhaps the most unpredictable horse in training and probably one of the fastest. He will try and return to the winner's circle and get back in the hunt for an Eclipse Award. He lost the Kentucky Derby and Peter Pan Stakes while numerous questions about his physical health lingered, although he has posted some of his trademark fast works in recent days. Unbridled's Song will have company up front in the form of Honour and Glory, who scored a gutsy decision while beating older horses in the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont. Gold Fever was also a stakes winner last time out at Belmont in the seven furlong Grade III Riva Ridge Stakes.

Monmouth Oaks, 3yo fillies, $200,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Monmouth
Yank's Music will use the Monmouth Oaks as a prep for the Coaching Club American Oaks, July 20 at Belmont. The Mother Goose Stakes winner will be entered in order for her to gain experience around two turns. She has been almost perfect, her only loss coming in the Acorn Stakes after a rough trip, and should be the odds-on favorite. Rare Blend, who won Churchill Downs's La Troienne Stakes, and multiple sprint stakes winner J J'sdream will try and stop Yank's Music.

Baltimore Breeders' Cup, 3&up, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade III, Laurel

Landaluce Stakes, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade II, Hollywood

Round Table Stakes, 3yo, $150,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade III, Arlington

Beverly Hills Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $300,000, 1 1-4 Miles Turf, Grade I, Hollywood
Auriette (FR) tries to bolster her case for an Eclipse Award. She has used her early speed to remain perfect this year, winning the Grade II Santa Barbara Handicap and the Grade I Gamely Handicap. Flagbird, second in the Gamely, will try and catch her with the benefit of an extra furlong. Different (ARG) may be the next potential Argentinian superstar from the Ron McAnally barn.

Queen's Plate, 3yo, $400,000, 1 1-4 Miles, Woodbine
The Queen's Plate is the most prestigious race for Canadian-breds, so a large field will contest North America's oldest continuously run stakes race. Victor Cooley may be the favorite after winning the Queenston and Marine Stakes at Woodbine. Northface won the Plate Trial, beating Firm Dancer and Chief Bearhart. Those two will try and get revenge in the Canadian version of the Kentucky Derby.

Nearctic Handicap, 3&up, $125,000, 6F (T) Woodbine

Rockingham Breeders' Cup, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Rockingham

Skipat Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $75,000, 6 1-2 Furlongs, Laurel

Tom Fool Stakes, 3&up, $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade II, Belmont

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