TRC THOROUGHBRED NOTEBOOK

TRC PREAKNESS NOTEBOOK

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

ARAZI LIVES ON IN BALTIMORE

The memory of the 1991 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Arazi lives on at Pimlico Race Course, which is interesting since the English-based colt never stepped foot on the grounds of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. Arazi attracted a huge throng of international media when he ran in the Kentucky Derby in 1992 and Pimlico Race Course officials, figuring those folks would follow him to the Preakness Stakes two weeks later, constructed an auxiliary press box on the Pimlico Race Course roof, named the Arazi Auxiliary Press Box. Arazi, of course, finished eighth in the Derby and never came Pimlico. Still, the press box name remains the same.


BAFFERT'S HUMMING A WINNING TUNE

Trainer Bob Baffert was watching a replay of Silver Charm's Kentucky Derby victory Thursday morning with the colt's owners, Bob and Beverly Lewis. The small gathering started cheering when 'My Old Kentucky Home' came on. 'I love that song now and I've been humming it to myself since the Derby,' Baffert said. 'Last year, I was singing, [the Beatles' song] 'I'm A Loser!'

By Friday morning, Baffert conceded, 'I'm running out of words.' He added, 'I'm glad Silver Charm didn't have to go out and party Derby night like I did because he'd be exhausted, too!'

The Silver Charm contingent, including owners Bob and Beverly Lewis, has been wearing buttons at Pimlico all week. The button says: 'Bet the Farm on Silver Charm.'


FOUR TIMES THIRD FOR FREE HOUSE'S OWNERS

Owners, trainers and jockeys sometimes complain about 'second-itis' when their horses keep finishing second in races. John Toffan and Trudy McCaffery, who co-own Free House, have 'third-itis,' at least when it comes to Triple Crown races. In 1992, their colt, Mane Minister, finished third in the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. This year, Free House finished third in the Kentucky Derby.


NICK ZITO VISITS KIDS IN HOSPITAL

Nick Zito, a two-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer, is well-known and well-liked in Louisville and he's having the same effect on Baltimore after winning the 1996 Preakness with Louis Quatorze. Zito spent part of Wednesday afternoon visiting critically ill children at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Bill Condren and Joseph Cornacchia, who own Louis Quatorze, were honored Friday night at the Preakness Ball, which benefited the Johns Hopkins children's center.


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