CIGAR SPECIAL TO AIR ON ESPN AUG. 9

'Cigar's Race to History,' highlighting Cigar's pursuit of a record- shattering 17th consecutive victory, will air on ESPN, Friday, Aug. 9, from 10-10:30 p.m. (EDT). Hosted by Chris Lincoln and Tom Durkin, the special will chronicle Cigar's streak, preview his next start, the Aug. 10 Pacific Classic, and talk with the connections of America's richest Thoroughbred, jockey Jerry Bailey, trainer Bill Mott and owner Allen Paulson. Also included will be look back at Citation and his 16 straight victories from 1948-50.

'This clearly is one of the top sports stories of the year,' said John Wildhack, senior vice president at ESPN, 'and certainly one of the biggest events ever in Thoroughbred racing.'

The Pacific Classic will be televised live on ESPN's 'Racing to the Breeders' Cup' series, Aug. 10, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (EDT).

JOCKEY CLUB ROUND TABLE FEATURES ECONOMIC IMPACT SURVEY RESULTS

The initial findings of the American Horse Council's Economic Impact Survey on the Horse in America will be the feature presentation at The Jockey Club Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 11. Michael Vlaisavljevich, managing director of The Barents Group LLC, which conducted the survey, will make the presentation.

Following Vlaisavljevich will be Robert E. Mulcahy III, president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, whose address is entitled, 'The Role of Thoroughbred Racing Communications in Serving the Industry.' Mulcahy is also chairman of TRC, a non-profit, industry-funded media relations company.

Alan Marzelli and Clifford C. Goodrich, president of Equibase Company and Thoroughbred Racing Associations, respectively, will make a presentation entitled 'Equibase Today,' which will document the steps being taken by Equibase Company to meet the information, communication and technology needs of the racing industry.

Also on the program is a demonstration of The Jockey Club's new remote registration system, which will be given by Nick Nicholson, TJC's executive vice president and executive director. Nicholson will show how the software allows breeders to fulfill a wide range of registration requirements through their personal computers.

Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club, will deliver the opening address, followed by the annual 'Report of the Activities of The Jockey Club,' given by William S. Farish, TJC's vice chairman.

W.T. YOUNG DONATES SEASON TO DERBY WINNER

William T. Young has donated one breeding season to his 1996 Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone to the Kentucky Derby Museum to support equine education at the museum. Grindstone was the produce from of a breeding season to the stallion Unbridled, purchased by Young at the museum in 1991. The museum will auction the Grindstone season to benefit its Endowment Fund.

'We are honored and excited by Mr. Young's gesture, said David Wagner, executive director of the Louisville, Ky., museum. 'Mr. Young has always been a strong supporter of the museum and his generosity is always appreciated.'

KIDS WEEKEND AT ARLINGTON

Children will be the focus at Arlington International Racecourse Aug. 3-4 when the Arlington Heights, Ill., racetrack hosts a special weekend event. Featured at Arlington's Kids Celebration Weekend will be an educational look at some exotic animals, a performance by the children's group The Happiness Club, pony rides, puppet shows, clowns, a petting zoo and appearances by the Power Rangers and the Chicago Bulls' mascot Benny the Bull, among others. Every child will receive a free box lunch and a chance to win prizes throughout the weekend, including tickets to Chicago Cubs games, mountain bikes and toys. Children under 14 will be admitted free. Gates open at 11:00 a.m.

RACING TO THE BREEDERS' CUP SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Thirteen of the 14 stakes races to be televised Aug. 3-Oct. 20 on ESPN'S eight-telecast 'Racing to the Breeders' Cup' series will be Grade I and at least one of them, the Pacific Classic, is expected to feature the sensational Cigar. (Cigar may also start in the Woodward Stakes, which is also part of the Racing to the Breeders' Cup series).

In its fifth year, Racing to the Breeders' Cup is hosted by Dave Johnson and Charlsie Cantey, who are joined by analysts Bob Neumeier and track announcer Tom Durkin, 'the voice of the Breeders' Cup.'

The complete schedule for Racing to the Breeders' Cup is as follows (all air times are Eastern -- check local listings): Aug. 3 Whitney Handicap from Saratoga, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Aug. 4 Buick Haskell Invitational from Monmouth and Jim Dandy Stakes from Saratoga, 4:30- 5:30 p.m.; Aug. 10 Pacific Classic from Del Mar and Sword Dancer Handicap from Saratoga, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Aug. 24 Beverly D Stakes from Arlington and a recap of the Travers Stakes from Saratoga, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Aug. 25 Arlington Million from Arlington and Iselin Handicap from Monmouth, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Sept. 14 Woodward Stakes and Man o' War Stakes from Belmont, 4:00-5:00 p.m.; Sept. 15 Woodbine Million from Woodbine and Futurity Stakes and Matron Stakes from Belmont, 4:00-5:30 p.m.; and Oct. 20 Breeders' Cup Special, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

MOET AND CHANDON POP A CORK FOR EQUINE MEDICAL PROGRAM

Cornell University's Equine Sports Medicine Program will benefit every time a Moet and Chandon champagne cork is popped at Saratoga Racecourse and at more than 50 participating restaurants in the Saratoga Springs, N.Y. area. Moet and Chandon, the official champagne of the New York Racing Association and sponsor of the Moet Champagne Stakes, will donate $2 to Cornell's equine program for every bottle of the champagne opened now through Aug. 27.

'Moet champagne is synonymous with celebration in Saratoga and this season every consumer who celebrates with Moet will directly impact an institution that has been dedicated to Thoroughbred care since 1868,' said Dean Franklin M. Loew of Cornell University. 'Improving the performance and health of equine athletes is our mission and we are honored that Moet and Chandon has so generously endeavored to support our efforts.'

STUPID QUESTIONS -- A SARATOGA TRADITION Thoroughbred racing was first conducted in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in 1863 and the historic racetrack has many longstanding traditions. One of them involves Molly Gagne, the lead switchboard operator. Each year, she and her staff jot down some of the most outrageous and outlandish telephone inquiries directed at them during the season.

Less than a week into the 1996 meet, which opened July 26, Gagne and her staff have already assembled a few 'good' questions. 'We had one woman call who had received free weekday passes and wanted to know what a weekday was,' related Gagne. A second caller wanted to know what post time is at the track. 'When we told him it was 1:00, the caller asked if that was in the afternoon.'

Some of Gagne's all-time favorite questions from past years are: 'Can I bring my dog as long as I keep it in my purse?' 'You mean the breakfast (offered at Saratoga during morning workouts) closes at 9:30 even if you have a piece of bread in your mouth?'

'Can you tell me about next Saturday's race and how I can get Bandstand (sic) seats?'

'I just ironed my winning ticket and it turned black.'

'About the dress code in the clubhouse -- are socks required?'

'I lost a winning ticket in the dining room. Did anyone turn it in?'

'I'm calling from Houston, Texas. How do I get to your track?'

'How do you spell O.T.B.?'

'May I have the Surf Club?'

'I want to speak to my husband. I'm not sure how to spell his name.'

RACING ON THE AIR

Aug. 1 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 a.m. ESPN
Aug. 3 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m. ESPN
Aug. 3 Whitney Handicap, Saratoga 4:30-5:30 p.m. ESPN
Aug. 3 '2Day at the Races' 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2
Aug. 4 Haskell Invitational, Monmouth and Jim Dandy Stakes, Saratoga 4:30-5:30 p.m. ESPN
Aug. 7 'Racehorse Digest' 3:30-4:00 p.m. ESPN
Aug. 8 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 p.m. ESPN
Aug. 9 'Cigar's Race to History' 10:00-10:30 p.m. ESPN
Aug. 10 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m. ESPN
Aug. 10 Pacific Classic, Del Mar and Sword Dancer Handicap, Saratoga 6:00-7:00 p.m. ESPN
Aug. 10 '2Day at the Races' 7:00-7:30 p.m. ESPN2

RACING TO HISTORY

Aug. 1, 1945: Open racing resumed in place of the war-time restricted, or zoned, system in England.

Aug. 2, 1864: America's oldest Thoroughbred racetrack, Saratoga Racecourse, opened its inaugural meet with four days of racing. Since then it has been the site of some of racing's most famous upsets. Man o' War suffered his only loss in 21 starts while racing at Saratoga, and Triple Crown champion Gallant Fox was defeated by a 100-1 shot named Jim Dandy in Saratoga's 1930 Travers, prompting the track to be called 'the graveyard of favorites.'

Aug. 2, 1969: Jockey Robyn Smith, one of the first female jockeys in the U.S., won her first career race, at Ferndale.

Aug. 3, 1971: The yearling Secretariat was shod on his front feet for the first time and transferred to the Meadow training center for breaking.

Aug. 3, 1989: Jockey Jorge Velasquez notched his 6,000th career victory aboard three-year-old filly Maddie Bumpo in the third race at Arlington International Racecourse.

Aug. 4, 1973: In his first race against older horses, 1-10 favorite Secretariat was defeated in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga by Allen Jerkens' four-year-old trainee Onion, who beat him by a length. Secretariat was subsequently found to be suffering from a virus.

Aug. 5, 1988: Trainer Dale Baird won his 5,000th career race with Stuffed Johnnie at Mountaineer Park, becoming the second trainer in history, behind Jack Van Berg, to reach that mark.

Aug. 6, 1951: The National Museum of Racing opened in Congress Park at Saratoga Springs, N.Y. More than 2,000 people attended the opening ceremonies presided over by C.V. Whitney.

Aug. 7, 1988: Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye won his 4,000th race aboard a two-year-old filly named Fawn and Hahn in the fourth race at Del Mar.

Aug. 8, 1970 Jockey Bill Shoemaker won his 6,000th career victory aboard Shining Count at Del Mar.

Aug. 8, 1987: Kent Desormeaux set the record for most number of stakes wins by an apprentice jockey, 13, aboard King's Snow in the Primer Stakes at Pimlico. The previous record, 10, was held by Steve Cauthen.

Aug. 10, 1982: Mary Russ became the first female rider to surpass the $1 million mark in earnings when she finished third aboard Bammer in the fourth race at Saratoga.

Aug. 11, 1972: In preparation for his stakes-racing debut, the Aug. 16 Sanford at Saratoga, Secretariat worked five furlongs in :59.

Whitney Handicap, 3&up, $350,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Saratoga

The Whitney has been won twice recently by females, in 1986 by Lady's Secret and in 1988 by Personal Ensign, so D. Wayne Lukas has no qualms about letting Serena's Song give it a try. Last year's champion three-year-old filly had her three race win streak broken last time out by Jewel Princess in the Grade I Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. Peaks and Valleys was a multiple graded stakes winner last year with two Grade I victories, the Molson Million and the Meadowlands Cup. He is making his second start of 1996 after winning an allowance race at Belmont. L'Carriere won the Saratoga Cup last year and has two third-place finishes this year, the Dubai World Cup and the Grade I Suburban Handicap. Mahogany Hall finished second twice in his last two starts at Belmont, both stakes. Pyramid Peak was second in last year's Grade I Travers at Saratoga and won a stakes race in Maryland last time out.

Ramona Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $300,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade I, Del Mar

The Ramona features two fillies trying to return to their winning ways, Matiara and Alpride (IRE). Matiara, a classic winner in France, won the Grade II Buena Vista Handicap in March. Alpride (IRE) won last year's Grade I Beverly Hills Handicap. Radu Cool beat Alpride (IRE) in a recent Hollywood Park allowance race.

Isaac Murphy Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Arlington

Niagara Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up, $150,000, 1 1-2 Miles Turf, Grade III, Woodbine

Buick Haskell Invitational Handicap, 3yo, $750,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Monmouth

A Haskell victory would strengthen Skip Away's claim to the three- year-old title. He has won a pair of Grade II races, the Blue Grass Stakes and Ohio Derby, while finishing second in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Victory Speech was beaten by Skip Away in the Ohio Derby but since has come back with two Grade II victories, the Dwyer Stakes in New York and the Swaps Stakes in California. Dr. Caton won the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth and may be coming around to his anticipated superstar form. Hesabull won the Grade III Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood and was third in the Swaps. Slew O Mink rallied to take the Grade III Round Table Stakes at Arlington.

Jim Dandy Stakes, 3yo, $150,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Saratoga

The Jim Dandy will be a clash of classic winners as Preakness winner Louis Quatorze meets Belmont winner Editor's Note. Maria's Mon, last year's Eclipse Award-winning two-year-old colt, missed the Triple Crown due to an injury. He will start for the second time this year after finishing second in a Belmont allowance race to older sprinters. Natural Selection won the Grade II Illinois Derby. Prince of Thieves was a stakes winner at Santa Anita in February but has come up short in major races since.

Eddie Read Handicap, 3&up, $300,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade I, Del Mar

The Eddie Read features Fastness (IRE), the leading grass horse in America, and last year's winner of this race. Fastness (IRE) was impressive at Hollywood Park in winning the Grade II Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile and the Grade III Inglewood Handicap. Gold and Steel (FR) won the Grade II Early Times Dixie Handicap and was second in the Grade II American Handicap.

Philadelphia Park Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up, $150,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade III, Philadelphia

Ben Perkins Sr. has a strong hand here with Forest Wildcat and Meadow Monster as he looks toward the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Forest Wildcat won the Grade III Finger Lakes Breeders' Cup Handicap on July 4. Meadow Monster was nosed out in the Grade II DeFrancis Dash at Laurel. Friendly Lover won this race in 1994 and just missed last time out at Finger Lakes. King Ruckus is the race's defending champion from Canada.

Arlington Handicap, 3&up, $200,000, 1 1-4 Miles Turf, Grade II, Arlington

Prince of Wales Stakes, 3yo, $175,000, 1 3-16 Miles, Grade IC, Fort Erie

Spicy Living Sweepstakes, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Rockingham

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