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

HASKELL ADDED TO TV LINEUP

With a strong field shaping up for the $1 million Buick Haskell Invitational, the race has been added to the 'Racing to the Breeders' Cup' series and will be shown live on espn2, Sunday, Aug. 3, from 5-6 p.m. (EDT). This is the first time that a 'Racing to the Breeders' Cup' telecast will be carried on espn2. 'We are very pleased to be able to underwrite this important broadcast, which will showcase some of the nation's best three-year-olds,' said D.G. Van Clief, Jr., president of Breeders' Cup Ltd. 'By doing so, we further strengthen our 'Racing to the Breeders' Cup' series, which now encompasses virtually every major race leading to the Breeders' Cup Championship.'

With the addition of the Haskell, the 'Racing to the Breeders' Cup' series has been expanded to 11 shows featuring 18 races.

BAFFERT AIMS FOR HASKELL WITH ANET

With his Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm out for the year, trainer Bob Baffert will attempt to win Monmouth Park's Grade I, $1 million Buick Haskell on Aug. 3 with Anet. The colt has won three stakes races with two seconds this year in five starts on dirt and set track records for 1 1-8 miles at Turfway and Lone Star Parks. Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold and Kentucky Derby runnerup Free House are co-highweights at 125 pounds, with Anet and his Ohio Derby conqueror Frisk Me Now are at 120. Blushing K.D. (116) will be attempting to become only the second filly to win the Haskell after Serena's Song won the race in 1995.

STEVENS RETURNS TO ASCOT

Gary Stevens will return to England's Ascot Racecourse to ride Predappio -- with whom he won the Hardwicke Stakes, June 20 -- in the Group 1 King George VI Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, July 26. Last year's Arc de Triomphe winner Helissio, who is unbeaten this season, is the horse to beat, with 1996 Breeders' Cup Turf champion Pilsudski and Dubai World Cup victor Singspiel, the main contenders. Swain, Shantou, Strategic Choice and Kingfisher Mill round out the expected field of eight.

Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Ill., has the exclusive rights to the race in the U.S.

While in England, Stevens will also be aboard Tykeyvor in the Venetia Diamond Handicap. The pair finished fifth in the Bessborough Handicap, June 20.

WILDENSTEIN TURNS DOWN $16 MILLION FOR FRENCH DERBY WINNER

Daniel Wildenstein, on behalf of Dayton Investments, has turned down a $16 million offer from Japanese interests for French Derby winner Peintre Celebre. Wildenstein announced that the three-year-old will stand at Coolmore Stud in Ireland upon completion of his career. 'Peintre Celebre is the best colt we have ever had and we wish to be able to breed our best mares to him and race the subsequent progeny,' Wildenstein said. The colt is being pointed towards the Arc de Triomphe and will race next year.

CALIFORNIA RACING BACK IN NEVADA RACEBOOKS

After an 8 1-2-month absence, bettors in Nevada can once again wager on California races. The Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association (NPMA), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) reached agreement on a simulcast pact, July 17. The arrangement will cover the other California tracks next year as well. Under the terms of the agreement, tracks will be compensated on a sliding scale based on handle.

JAPANESE BREEDERS' CUP SET FOR 2001

The Japanese will stage their own version of the Breeders' Cup starting in 2001. Five races, all on dirt, are scehduled: two juvenile races at one mile, one each for males and females; a six-furlong sprint; a 1 1-8-mile distaff; and a 1 1-4-mile open race worth about $2.5 million. The races will be run at an as-yet undetermined track late in November or December, and will be financed through nomination fees from breeders.

EQUINE LINE 2000 MAKES ITS INTERNET DEBUT

The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc. (TJCIS) unveiled Equine Line 2000, an updated Internet version of its Equine Line brand of electronic information. Equine Line 2000 differs from the existing product by allowing users to custom-design their own reports, which may include many different types of information in differing formats. Equine Line 2000 is being rolled out in stages, with race records and mare produce records currently available, and dozens of other reports to appear on-line in the near future. Statistics from North America, England, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Japan will be obtainable.

Internet access and a Netscape browser are required. For more information on Equine Line 2000, access the TJCIS home page at: www.equineonline.com/tjcis.

July 26, 1962: Jockey Angel Cordero Jr. rode his first winner in the U.S., Counterate, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

July 27, 1973: In preparation for the Aug. 4 Whitney Stakes, Secretariat worked a mile at Saratoga Racecourse in 1:34 over a muddy track. His workout time was 4-5 of a second lower than the 55-year-old track record for the distance. He galloped out another eighth of a mile for a final time of 1:47 4-5, which was 2-5 of a second lower than the track record.

July 28, 1951: Citation, then the world's leading money-winning Thoroughbred, was paraded before a crowd of 28,000 at Arlington Park in his last public appearance at a track before being retired to stud.

July 28, 1987: Jockey Angel Cordero Jr. became the fourth rider in history to win 6,000th races when he captured the Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park aboard Lost Kitty.

July 29, 1973: Jockey Pat Day rode his first career winner, Forblunged, in a $2,000 claiming race at Prescott Downs, Prescott, Ariz. His mount earned $347 -- the winner's share of the $631 purse.

July 30, 1870: Monmouth Park opened with a five-day race meet.

July 31, 1972: Secretariat, ridden for the first time by Ron Turcotte, won his second race in three starts, on opening day at Saratoga Racecourse. The pair were sent off at odds of 2-5.

July 26, Racehorse Digest, 6:00-6:30 a.m., ESPN
July 27, 2Day at the Races, 6:30-7:00 p.m., espn2
July 30, Racehorse Digest, 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN
July 31, Racehorse Digest, 3:00-3:30 a.m., ESPN

Mid-South Futurity, 2yo, $200,000, 6 Furlongs, Lone Star

Salvator Mile Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 Mile, Grade III, Monmouth

San Clemente Handicap, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade II, Del Mar

San Diego Handicap, 3&up, $150,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Del Mar

Test Stakes, 3yo fillies, $150,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade I, Saratoga

Bing Crosby Handicap, 3&up, $200,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade III, Del Mar

Delaware Oaks, 3yo fillies, $150,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Delaware

Go for Wand Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $250,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Saratoga

Modesty Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 3-16 Miles Turf, Grade III, Arlington

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