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

ATLANTIC CITY CLOSER TO AUTO RACING

Speaking at a June 17 press conference, Atlantic City Race Course President James Murphy said that the McKee City, N.J., track would pursue auto racing as a possible alternative to horse racing. 'We don't think we can survive the status quo,' said Murphy. 'We have to create a viable entity for ourselves now. We would love to continue horse racing here [but] we've subsidized horse racing for 20 years.'

Preliminary plans call for the building of an auto track and expansion of the grandstand to accommodate 50,000-100,000 spectators. Atlantic City will attempt to stage up to four events per year but, as of yet, has no commitments from any auto racing sanctioning body to bring races to the new track. Murphy said Thoroughbred purses would not be augmented by revenues generated from auto racing.

TWO MORE SPONGES FOUND IN KENTUCKY HORSES

Two more horses racing at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., were found to have sponges in their nostrils after races. Early Conquest, who shipped in from Ellis Park, in Henderson, Ky., to run on June 8, was badly beaten as the co-favorite. On June 14, Class O Lad was last as the favorite.

In an emergency meeting on Sunday, June 15, in Frankfort, Ky., the Kentucky Racing Commission, horsemen's groups, representatives from all the state's racetracks, the Jockeys' Guild and the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, decided that all horses racing in Kentucky will have an endoscopic examination of their breathing passages two hours before running. A representative of the trainer will then stay with the horse until he runs. Track security will be increased and a 'Block Watch'-type program will be put into effect for all racetracks. The reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the sponging incidents has been doubled to $50,000.

Testing began June 18. 'We are very pleased,' Kentucky state veterinarian George Mundy said of the tests. 'In some instances the procedure is more time-consuming than in others, but for the most part it has been very well received and that's a credit to horsemen and their cooperation.'

The exam will be performed with a gastroscope, a pliable, fiberoptic endoscope designed for use in pediatrics that is considerably less invasive than a conventional endoscope.

HOLLYWOOD PARK GETS A BONUS FOR SWAPS STAKES, IF...

In an attempt to lure the top three finishers from the Belmont Stakes, Silver Charm, Touch Gold and Free House, the management of Hollywood Park, in Inglewood, Calif., and the Thoroughbred Owners of California, have agreed to supplement the purse the $500,000 Swaps Stakes by an additional $500,000 if the three run. The Grade II Swaps, to be run at 1 1-8 miles on July 13, could also be moved back, according to Hollywood's racing secretary Martin Panza. The track is holding discussions to televise the race nationally. Monmouth Park officials are also in the hunt for the three-year-old stars for their $1 million, Grade I Haskell Invitational, to be run Aug. 3.

CHAMPION MARE BAYAKOA (ARG) DEAD

Two-time champion mare Bayakoa (ARG) was euthanized June 14 at Pennbrook Farm near Lexington, Ky., after foundering in both front feet. 'We fought it for five weeks,' said Frank Penn, owner of Pennbrook Farm. 'We thought we were winning it, but you don't win many of these cases. It wasn't humane to keep her going.'

Bayakoa (ARG) was named Champion Older Mare in 1989 and 1990. She won 16 stakes races in the United States after being imported from Argentina and 12 Grade I races, which included two wins in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

BELMONT TV RATINGS HIGHLIGHT THE WEEKEND

The June 7 Belmont Stakes was the second-most watched sports program of the weekend, outdistancing 14 other events. Only Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in game four of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz had higher numbers than the Belmont's 5.3 rating and 16 share, which equates to more than 5 million viewers. In comparison, the French Open Women's Final received a 1.8-6 and the men's Final a 1.5-6, while the Kemper Open (with Tiger Woods) garnered a 2.7-8 on Sunday and a 2.0-6 on Saturday. Other events from the weekend of June 7-8 and their ratings-share: PBA Greater Detroit Open (2.3-8); Major League Baseball (2.2-7 for four regional games); IROC Auto racing (2.3-6); NCAA World Series (2.0-7); Senior PGA Tour South Classic (1.9-6); CART Detroit Grand Prix (1.7-5); and NCAA Track and Field (1.5-5).

HAS ANYONE SEEN A MELBOURNE CUP?

The Victoria Racing Club has turned to the public in the recovery of the 1973 Melbourne Cup trophy stolen from its display case at Flemington Racecourse. The trophy was donated by Gala Supreme's owner, J. P. Curtain. The cup is valued at more than $18,000. Officials feel that, due to its fame, the Melbourne Cup is impossible to sell legally anywhere in the world.

THIS DATE IN RACING HISTORY

June 21, 1924: Exterminator, winner of the 1918 Kentucky Derby, concluded his seven-year racing career. Exterminator raced until he was nine, winning 50 of his 100 starts. He seldom carried less than 130 pounds in handicap races. Like other geldings Kelso, Forego, and John Henry, Exterminator improved with age, enjoying his greatest success when he was seven.

June 21, 1947: Assault won the Brooklyn Handicap and dethroned Whirlaway as the then money-winning champion of the world. The victory boosted his earnings to $576,670.

June 21, 1975: S. Kaye Bell became the first woman to train the winner of a $100,000 stakes race when she sent Mr. Lucky Phoenix to win the Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap at Detroit Racecourse.

June 22, 1935: Seabiscuit won his first race, at Narragansett Park.

June 23, 1985: With a victory aboard Greinton in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Laffit Pincay Jr. became the second jockey in history to surpass $100 million in purse earnings.

June 24, 1893: The field for the American Derby at Washington Park was held at the post for an hour and 40 minutes, the longest pre-race delay in history. Boundless, with 'Snapper' Garrison aboard, won the $49,500 race, which was witnessed by a crowd of 48,000. Garrison and three other riders were each fined $250 for bad conduct at the start.

June 24, 1952: Jockey Eddie Arcaro rode his 3,000th career winner at Arlington Park. He was the first American-born rider to reach that mark.

June 24, 1972: In the fastest workout of the day for six furlongs, Secretariat went the distance in 1:12 4-5 at Belmont over a sloppy track. He would make his debut 10 days later, in a July 4 race for maiden runners at Aqueduct.

June 24, 1973: Charlie Whittingham swept the top three spots in the Hollywood Gold Cup Invitational Handicap when his trainees Kennedy Road, Quack and Cougar II finished first, second and third, respectively.

June 24, 1977: Alydar, at odds of 2.10-1, broke his maiden by 6 3-4 lengths at Belmont Park.

June 24, 1979: Affirmed, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., became the first horse to top $2 million in earnings after he won the Hollywood Gold Cup.

June 24, 1990: Criminal Type became the first horse to win consecutive $1 million races after capturing the Hollywood Gold Cup. He had previously won the $1 million Pimlico Special on May 12.

June 26, 1938: Nearco ended his career a perfect 14-for-14 by winning the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

June 26, 1986: Jockey Sandy Hawley won his 5,000th career race, aboard Mighty Massa, at Canterbury Downs.

June 26, 1992: Jockey Dave Gall became the eighth rider in history to ride 6,000 winners when he rode Nana's Nice Boy to victory at Fairmount Park.

June 26, 1994: Jockey Chris McCarron rode his 6,000th career winner, Andestine, in the Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park. He was the 11th rider to reach 6,000 and the third-youngest, behind Bill Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay Jr.

June 27, 1860: The Queen's Plate, the oldest continuously run stakes race in North America, was first run. Don Juan was the winner, after winning two of the three heats that comprised the event.

June 27, 1932: Calumet Farm recorded its first victory in a Thoroughbred race with two-year-old Warren Jr., who won by a nose at Arlington Park to earn $850.

June 27, 1986: Jockey Kent Desormeaux rode in his first race ever, finishing third aboard a $2,500 claimer named Ducknest Coal Mine, at odds of 35-1, in the second race at Evangeline Downs.

June 28, 1977: Steve Cauthen, on his first day as a journeyman jockey, won with his first three mounts at Belmont Park.

June 28, 1989: Arlington International Racecourse opened in Arlington Heights, Ill. It had been rebuilt after a fire destroyed the old facility, July 31, 1985.

June 29, 1968: Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye won his first race, at Evangeline Downs, aboard Brown Shill.

June 29, 1968: Gamely, Princessnesian and Desert Law-all owned by William Haggin Perry and trained by Jim Maloney-finished first, second and third, respectively, in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park.

June 29, 1983: Jockey Angel Cordero Jr. won his 5,000th career race, aboard Another Rodger, in the ninth race at Belmont Park. He was the fourth rider in history, behind John Longden, Bill Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay Jr., to hit that mark.

RACING ON TELEVISION

June 21, Racehorse Digest, 6:00-6:30 a.m., ESPN
June 22, 2Day at the Races, 6:30-7:00 p.m., espn2
June 25, Racehorse Digest, 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN
June 26, Racehorse Digest, 3:00-3:30 a.m., ESPN
June 28, Caesars International,4:00-5:00 p.m., ESPN
Grand Prairie Gold Cup
June 29, Budweiser Irish Derby, 5:00-6:00 p.m., ESPN
June 29, Hollywood Gold Cup, 6:00-7:00 p.m., ESPN

Mother Goose Stakes, 3yo fillies, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Belmont
With division leader Blushing K.D. temporarily sidelined, Sharp Cat, winner of the Acorn Stakes, the first leg of New York's Triple Tiara series, goes for the middle leg. Her main competition will come from Tomisue's Delight, who has won twice and been second to Blushing K.D. three times in 1997. Another strong contender is Salt It, the winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes when Blushing K.D. was fourth.

Aristides Stakes, 3&up, $100,000, 6 1-2 Furlongs, Churchill

Chicago Breeders' Cup, 3&up (f&m), $150,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade III, Arlington

Leonard Richards Stakes, 3yo, $150,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Delaware

Miami Beach Sprint Handicap, 3&up, $250,000, 6 Furlongs, Calder

Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $200,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade I, Hollywood
Stablemates Exotic Wood and Twice the Vice meet for the first time. The pair have been in the money in 30 of their 35 starts. Exotic Wood's fourth-place finish in the May 26 Soviet Problem Stakes at Golden Gate Fields after a 10-month layoff, marred her almost perfect record of eight wins and a second in nine tries. Twice the Vice won the Grade II Hawthorne Handicap, May 25, in her first start of the year. Others expected to meet the dynamic duo are stakes winners Traces of Gold, Radu Cool, Listening and Call Me (GB).

Locust Grove Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Churchill

Prioress Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade II, Belmont

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