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

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED

Jockey Gary Stevens, trainer Philip G. Johnson and horses Easy Goer, Bold 'n Determined and Granville will be inducted into the National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame on Monday, Aug. 4 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Stevens, a two-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, was selected over Jacinto Vasquez and Jack Westrope in balloting by more than 100 members of the racing print and broadcast media.

Johnson, who won his category over fellow trainers Willard Proctor and Virgil 'Buddy' Raines, conditioned stakes winners Kiri's Clown and Maplejinsky.

Easy Goer, selected to represent the Modern Male category, won the Belmont Stakes, Wood Memorial, Travers, Woodward, Suburban and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was the two-year-old champion in 1988 and had a career record of 14 wins in 20 starts and earnings of $4,873,770.

Bold 'n Determined was selected as the Hall of Fame's Modern Female inductee. She won six Grade I races as a three-year-old in 1980 and defeated Kentucky Derby winner Genuine Risk. Trained by Neil Drysdale, Bold 'n Determined won 16 races from 20 starts and earned $948,599.

The Horse of Yesteryear, Granville, won the 1936 Belmont Stakes, Arlington Classic, Travers, Saratoga Cup and Lawrence Realization. He raced for Belair Stud and was trained by 'Sunny' Jim Fitzsimmons. Granville was the first horse designated Horse of the Year by voters at Daily Racing Form.

NYRA AND ESPN TEAM UP FOR LIVE RACING COVERAGE

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and ESPN announced Wednesday that a number of NYRA's races will air on the network in 1997. Included in the package of seven races airing on ESPN are the Whitney Handicap (Aug. 2), Travers Stakes (Aug. 23), Woodward and Ruffian (Sept. 20), Man o' War and Futurity (Sept. 21) and a live Belmont Stakes Special from 3:30-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.

Additionally, nine NYRA stakes races will air on tape delay on ESPN2 beginning with the Metropolitan Handicap (May 26), Just a Game Breeders' Cup (June 8), Hill Prince (June 15), Prioress (June 22), Dwyer (July 5), Jim Dandy (Aug. 3) and the Beldame and Frizette (Oct. 19).

GAMBLING COMMISSION MEMBERS NAMED

Disappointing horse racing and breeding interests, President Bill Clinton announced his three appointees to the commission to study the social and economic effects of gambling, completing the nine-member panel. No one on the panel has any ties to the racing industry. On Tuesday, Clinton chose William A. Bible, chairman of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board; Robert Wayne Loescher, a member of the Tlingit Tribe of Alaska and vice president of natural resources management for the Sealaska Corporation; and Richard C. Leone, the president of the Twentieth Century Fund, a non-profit public policy research institute, and a former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Of Clinton's appointees, only Bible has a pro- gambling stance; Loescher and Leone are thought to lean against gambling.

The other six members of the commission, which will report directly to Congress in two years, are: John Wilhelm, secretary-treasurer of Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International union in Las Vegas; Terry Lanni, chairman and chief executive officer of MGM Grand; James Dobson, founder of the conservative group Focus on Family; Dr. Paul Moore, a radiologist with no ties to the gaming industry; Kay Coles James, dean of Regent University; and Leo McCarthy, former lieutenant governor of California.

TRA LAUNCHES SPINAL CORD INJURY RESEARCH CAMPAIGN

The Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) announced Tuesday, April 29, the launch of a charitable campaign to support spinal cord injury research through contributions to the Buoniconti Fund, the national fund-raising arm of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Because the inherent dangers of race-riding have made spinal cord injuries a major concern of the industry, the TRA Board of Directors agreed to support the Buoniconti Fund either through direct contributions or fund-raising activities at member tracks. The Jockeys' Guild, which has 50 permanently disabled members, expressed support of the TRA's efforts on behalf of the Fund.

The fund is named for Marc Buoniconti, son of former Miami Dolphins All-Pro linebacker Nick Buoniconti. Marc Buoniconti was injured during a college football game in October 1985 and is now a quadriplegic. The Miami Project was founded shortly thereafter on the campus of the University of Miami School of Medicine-Jackson Memorial Medical Center through the efforts of internationally renown neurosurgeon Barth Green.

'We are grateful to the TRA for its encouragement and its generosity, ' said Marc Buoniconti. 'We are confident that its support will give impetus to our efforts to achieve the goal of a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.'

L.A. SPORTS COUNCIL TO PROMOTE 1997 BREEDERS' CUP

The Los Angeles Sports Council, which served as the Host Committee for the 1993 Super Bowl, has agreed to partner with Hollywood Park in promoting the 1997 Breeders' Cup Championship at the Inglewood, Calif. , racetrack on Saturday, Nov. 8.

'The Breeders' Cup is the main event for Southern California in 1997, ' said David Simon, president of the L.A. Sports Council. 'The Council will use all of its resources to generate support for the event, particularly from the civic and corporate communities.'

The economic impact generated by events brought to the Los Angeles area by the Sports Council in the 1990s is nearly $1 billion. Events include the 1991 Olympic Festival, Super Bowl XXVII in 1993 and soccer's World Cup Finals in 1994.

An announcement is expected in the next few weeks regarding the formation of a host committee, which will promote ticket sales and coordinate corporate and civic support for the Breeders' Cup Championship. Committee members will be comprised of Sports Council supporters and members of its board of directors, who represent the area's major corporations as well as professional sports teams, venues and major universities in the region.

RACING TO HISTORY

May 3, 1769: Namesake of racing's annual awards, Eclipse made his first public appearance in a heat race at Epsom, England. The chestnut won his first trial easily, prompting gambler Dennis O'Kelly to predict 'Eclipse first, the rest nowhere' at the start of the second heat. O'Kelly's forecast was correct. Eclipse won the second four-mile race by nearly 1-4 mile.

May 3, 1902: Jockey James Winkfield, the last African American rider to win the Kentucky Derby, won his second consecutive Derby aboard Alan-a-Dale.

May 3, 1952: The first coast-to-coast, network-televised Kentucky Derby aired on CBS. Favorite Hill Gail won the Derby, giving his jockey Eddie Arcaro a record fifth victory in the Kentucky Derby, and his trainer, Ben A. Jones, the record for most number of wins (six). Arcaro's record was matched on this day in 1969 by jockey Bill Hartack. Jones's record has not been equalled.

May 3, 1958: CBS used a split-screen for its telecast of the Kentucky Derby, necessitated by the presence of the popular runner Silky Sullivan, who was famous for running far off the pace. Most of the screen was allotted to the main group of runners, with a small corner given over to Silky Sullivan. Although he was one of the favorites for the race, Silky failed to deliver his customary winning drive in the stretch and finished 12th, beaten 20 lengths by the victorious Tim Tam.

May 3, 1969: Jockey Bill Hartack won his fifth Kentucky Derby aboard Majestic Prince, tying Eddie Arcaro's 1952 record. Majestic Prince was trained by Hall of Fame jockey John Longden, the only man to have trained and ridden a Kentucky Derby winner.

May 3, 1980: Diana Firestone's Genuine Risk became the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby. Regret won it in 1915; Winning Colors, in 1988.

May 3, 1986: Charlie Whittingham, at age 73, became the oldest trainer to win his first Kentucky Derby when he sent Ferdinand to victory. Ferdinand's rider, Bill Shoemaker, was the oldest jockey (54) to take the Run for the Roses. Whittingham topped himself in 1989, winning the Derby a second time (at age 76) with Sunday Silence.

May 4, 1905: Belmont Park opened for its first race meet.

May 4, 1957: Bill Shoemaker, aboard Gallant Man, misjudged the finish line for the Kentucky Derby and stood up in the irons prematurely. Gallant Man lost the race by a nose to Iron Liege. Round Table was third and Bold Ruler was fourth in this historic finish.

May 4, 1968: Dancer's Image became the first horse to be disqualified from the Kentucky Derby because post-race testing revealed an illegal medication. Forward Pass was declared the winner, giving Calumet Farm its eighth Derby winner, a record.

May 5, 1934: Brookmeade Stable's Cavalcade won the Kentucky Derby, his third victory in a span of less than two weeks.

May 5, 1973: Secretariat became the first horse to complete the 1 1- 4-mile Kentucky Derby in less than two minutes when he won the 99th Run for the Roses in a record 1:59 2-5 -- 3-5 faster than Northern Dancer's 1964 mark of 2:00 -- to set a track and stakes record that still holds. He ran each successive quarter-mile of the race faster than the previous one, with times of 25 1-5, 24, 23 4-5, 23 2-5 and 23.

May 5, 1990: Frances Genter, age 92, became the oldest winning owner in Derby history when Unbridled won the 116th renewal of the Run for the Roses.

May 6, 1895: African American jockey James "Soup" Perkins guided the favorite Halma to a wire-to-wire victory in the 21st running of the Kentucky Derby. Perkins, who was 15, joined fellow African American jockey Alonzo Clayton as the youngest jockey to ride a Derby winner.

May 6, 1896: African American jockey Willie Simms guided Ben Brush to victory in the 22nd 'Run for the Roses,' the first time the race was run at 1 1-4 miles. Two years later, Simms would win the Derby aboard Plaudit, giving him a perfect record in the Kentucky Derby, two wins in two attempts.

May 7, 1938: The Kentucky Derby Glass made its debut. First used as a water glass for the track restaurant, the mint julep glass has been a part of the Derby tradition for more than 50 years.

May 7, 1949: Calumet Farm's Ponder won the 75th Kentucky Derby, which was first telecast on a limited basis by local TV station WAVE.

May 7, 1973: Secretariat was flown to Pimlico Racecourse to prepare for the Preakness Stakes after his record-breaking performance in the Kentucky Derby.

May 7, 1983: Aboard Sunny's Halo, jockey Eddie Delahoussaye became the last rider to win consecutive Kentucky Derbies. Other riders to have won back-to-back Derbies are Isaac Murphy, Ron Turcotte and James Winkfield.

May 7, 1988: Winning Colors, the first roan and the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby, provided trainer D. Wayne Lukas with his first Derby win in 13 attempts.

May 7, 1992: Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. announced his retirement from race riding.

May 8, 1915: H.P. Whitney's Regret became the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby, 40 years after the race's inception in 1875.

May 8, 1937: Mary Hirsch, daughter of Max Hirsch, who had conditioned 1936 Kentucky Derby winner Bold Venture, became the first woman trainer to saddle a runner in the Kentucky Derby. The horse, No Sir, who was also owned by Miss Hirsch, finished 13th in a field of 20.

May 9, 1945: The wartime government ban on horse racing in the United States was lifted.

May 9, 1982: Chris McCarron won his 3,000th career race, aboard Aggrandizement, in the ninth race at Hollywood Park. At age 27, he was the youngest rider to reach that plateau.

RACING ON THE AIR

May 1 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 a.m ESPN
May 2 Breakfast at Churchill Downs 7:00 a.m.- noon espn2
May 2 2Day at the Kentucky Oaks 3:30-5:00 p.m. espn2
May 2 Kentucky Oaks, Churchill Downs 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN
May 2 Handicapping the Derby 11:00-11:30 p.m. espn2
May 3 Racehorse Digest 6:00-6:30 a.m. ESPN
May 3 Breakfast at Churchill Downs 8:00 a.m.-noon espn2
May 3 2Day at the Kentucky Derby noon-2:00 p.m. espn2
May 3 Kentucky Derby Special 2:00-4:30 p.m. ESPN
May 3 Kentucky Derby and Early Time Classic, Churchill Downs 4:30-6:00 p.m. ABC
May 3 2Day at the Kentucky Derby 6:00-7:00 p.m. espn2
May 7 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 p.m. ESPN

Churchill Downs Turf Sprint, 3&up, $100,000, 5 Furlongs Turf, Churchill Downs
The field, in post position order with jockeys (and weights) is as follows: E J Harley - Day (114); Victor Avenue - Albarado (114); G H's Pleasure - Perret (120); Louie the Lucky - Fox (114); Suggest - Flores (118); Parklo - Bravo (120); Sandtrap - Solis (123); Appealing Skier - Smith (114); Virtuous Regent - Stevens (114); Gentleman Beau - Sellers (123); Gneiss - Borel (116); Rebound Boy - Martinez (114).

Louisville Breeders' Cup, 3&up (f&m), $200,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Churchill Downs
The field, in post position order with jockeys (and weights) is: Bedroom Eyes - Albarado (114); Top Secret - Sellers (115); Teewinot - Bravo (110); Clear Mandate - Perret (112); Escena - Day (116); Forever Classic - Martinez (110); Rare Blend - Bailey (116); Halo American - Borel (120).

Crown Royal American Turf Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Churchill Downs
The field, in post position order with jockeys (and weights) is as follows: Daylight Savings - Bailey (114); Near the Bank - Guidry (123); Battle Mountain - Lester (116); I'm a Star Too - Stevens (116); Royal Strand (IRE) - Day (116); Deputy Commander - Nakatani (114); Rob 'n Gin - Sellers (118); Mr. Gumbo - Albarado (120); Thesaurus - Perret (123); and Sky and Sea - Martinez (114).

Kentucky Oaks, 3yo fillies, $500,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Churchill Downs
The field in post position order with jockeys (all cary 121 pounds) is as follows: Glitter Woman - Smith; Must Sing - Albarado; Buckeye Search - Bailey; Blushing K.D. - Meche; Sharp Cat - Nakatani; Anklet - Stevens; Storm Song - Perret; Majestical Moment - Sellers; Tomisue's Delight - Day.

WHAS-11 Stakes, 2yo, $100,000, 5 Furlongs, Churchill Downs
The field in post postion order with jockeys (and weights) is as follows: Tomaso - Rennie (113); Cutie Luttie - Barton (114); World Series - Duys (117); Wilcrest - Hebert (122); Jess M - Smith (117); Princess Olivia - Kutz (110); Strey Lane - Hebert (120); Soldier Field - Crane (117); Favorite Trick - Day (117); Eagle's Wings - Gonzales (110); Salt Lick - Perret (117); Dabney Carr - Biailey (117): Lollygag - Martinez (114); Cowboy Dan - Trahan (120).

Humana Distaff Stakes, 4&up (f&m), $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade III, Churchill Downs
The field in post position order with jockeys (and weights) is as follows: J J'sdream - Sellers (117); Special Request - Smith (109); Graceful Minister - Stevens (112); Clear Mandate - Perret (113); Hidden Lake - Desormeaux (114); Gold Memory - Day (110); Capote Belle - Velazquez (118); Ontherightwicket - Martinez (108); Intend to Win - no rider (107); Rakida B - Bailey (113).

Early Times Turf Classic, 3&up, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade I, Churchill Downs
The field in post position order with jockeys (and weights) is as follows: Always a Classic - Bailey (120); Talloires - Desormeaux (120); Down the Aisle - Day (114); Top Glory (FR) - Solis (114); Volochine (IRE) - Stevens (116); Harghar - Smith (114); Labeeb (GB) - Delahoussaye (118); Same Old Wish - Sellers (120).

The 123rd Kentucky Derby, 3yo, $1,000,000, 1 1-4 Miles, Grade I, Churchill Downs
The field in post position order with jockeys (all carry 126 pounds) is as follows: Crypto Star - Day; Phantom on Tour - Bailey; Concerto - Marquez; Captain Bodgit - Solis; Silver Charm - Stevens; Celtic Warrior - Torres; Pulpit - Sellers; Hello (IRE) - Smith; Jack Flash - Perret; Shammy Davis - Martinez; Deeds Not Words - Nakatani; Crimson Classic - Albarado; Free House - Flores.

Churchill Downs Stakes, 4&up, $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade III, Churchill Downs

Providian Mile, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Churchill Downs

Mervyn LeRoy Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Hollywood

Withers Stakes, 3yo, $100,00, 1 Mile, Grade II, Aqueduct

Carter Handicap, 3&up, $150,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade I, Aqueduct

Inglewood Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade III, Hollywood

Royal Palm Handicap, 3&up, $75,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade III, Hialeah

Sixty Sails Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $300,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade III, Sportsman's Park

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