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

Note: There will be no TRC Thoroughbred Notebook, Thursday, Nov. 27.

NEW DERBY AND PREAKNESS POST POSITION DRAW A REALITY

Churchill Downs and Pimlico Racecourse have decided to proceed with an already-approved plan to change the manner in which post positions are drawn for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. In the past, a horse's name was selected and a 'pill' containing a post position would be randomly drawn. Under the new format, a horse's name will be coupled with a number randomly selected. After each horse has been assigned, the selection of post position will be conducted in numerical order by an authorized representative of each horse (trainer or owner). The Derby post position draw is televised by ESPN.

DUBAI WORLD CUP ATTRACTS 84 NOMINATIONS

The 1998 $4 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup, to be run Saturday, March 28 at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai, has drawn 84 nominations from 13 countries. Twenty-six North American-based horses have passed the first nomination stage, which closed Nov. 19. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Silver Charm heads the list, along with multiple stakes winner Formal Gold and four runners from this year's Breeders' Cup Classic: Deputy Commander; Whiskey Wisdom; Dowty; and Behrens, second, third, fourth and seventh, respectively. Europe's top nominee is Borgia (GER), who was second in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

JACK KENT COOKE'S ELMENDORF FARM SOLD

American Life and Accident Company, a Louisville, Ky., insurance company, has paid $5 million for the 503-acre Elmendorf Farm previously owned by the late Jack Kent Cooke, the owner of the NFL's Washington Redskins. Company president Dinwiddie Lampton Jr., known for his extensive collection of horse-drawn carriages which are part of American Life's advertising campaign, is the grandson of the insurance company's founder. 'The management [of American Life] is pleased to be the new owner of Elmendorf Farm and hopes that it will contribute favorably to the already magnificent history which belongs to the farm.'

SANTA ANITA DERBY ON FOX

The 1998 Santa Anita Derby, to be run April 4, will be broadcast exclusively by Fox Sports, which will broadcast a live, one-hour program beginning at 5 p.m. (EST). The race had been broadcast by ABC Sports since 1981.

INCREASES AT TURF PARADISE AND RETAMA PARK

Purses were raised four percent at Turf Paradise, in Phoenix, Ariz., due mostly to an 8.7 percent increase in total in-state handle and a 33 percent rise in out-of-state wagering. The daily average of $1.1 million in daily handle is up a healthy 20.9 percent over last year. Purses at the 42-year-old track are now at record levels.

Retama Park, in San Antonio, Texas, posted a 17 percent increase in handle for its 1997 Thoroughbred and mixed meet. The average field size of 9.37 horses per race is one of the highest in the nation.

Fall Highweight Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 6F, Grade II, Aqueduct

Falls City Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $250,000, 1 1/8M, Grade III, Churchill

Clark Stakes, 3&up, $400,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade III, Churchill

Delta Air Lines Top Flight Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $150,000, 1 Mile, Grade II, Aqueduct

Hollywood Turf Express Handicap, 3&up, $200,000, 5 1-2 Furlongs Turf, Grade III, Hollywood

Miesque Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Hollywood

Brown & Williamson Kentucky Jockey Club, 2yo, $200,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Churchill

Cigar Mile, 3&up, $250,000, 1 Mile, Grade I, Aqueduct

Citation Handicap, 3&up, $300,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade II, Hollywood

Demoiselle Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Aqueduct

Generous Stakes, 2yo, $250,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Hollywood

Golden Rod Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Churchill

Tropical Turf Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade III, Calder

Matriarch Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $700,000, 1 1-4 Miles Turf, Grade I, Hollywood
Juddmonte Farm's Ryafan will attempt to become the third filly ever to win the Matriarch Stakes in the same year as Hollywoord Park's other major filly turf race, the Yellow Ribbon Stakes. A contender for an Eclipse Award as champion female grass horse, Ryafan will be challenged by Memories of Silver, Fanjica, Luna Wells (GB), Maxzene, Real Connection and Yokama.

Remsen Stakes, 2yo, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Aqueduct
Stakes winner Coronado's Quest heads the field for the Remsen, which will also include Halory Hunter, Brooklyn Nick and Rodman.

Crown Royal Hollywood Derby, 3yo, $500,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade I, Hollywood