ADVISORY: The next issue of Media Update will be published Tuesday, Feb. 24. For news in the interim, access any of the Web sites listed below for TRC�s Thoroughbred Notebook, published each Tuesday and Thursday. The National Thoroughbred Poll will begin Tuesday, March 9.

TRC�s twice-weekly releases are available on the following web sites. Some post Thursday�s TRC Thoroughbred Notebook, others have Tuesday�s TRC Media Update and some have both.

Equibase Company: (www.equibase.com/home.html) under "Media and Press Information"

The Blood-Horse: (www.bloodhorse.com/news/index.html)

ESPN Sportszone: (espnet.sportszone.com/horse/)

The Running Horse, with a complete archive of Notebooks: (www.isd1.com/)

All TRC releases can be e-mailed for immediate delivery. In addition, Media Update can be formatted for most PC-based word processors (as well as Word for Macintosh). Contact Howard Bass at TRC, (212) 371-5913, or at [email protected], to receive your newsletters via e-mail.

Favorite Trick joined Secretariat (1972) as the only two-year-olds to ever win an Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year after he was named 1997�s best in an announcement at the Eclipse Awards dinner in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Feb. 10. The Eclipse Awards, which started in 1971, are a joint endeavor between Daily Racing Form, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) and the National Turf Writers Association (NTWA). Prior to 1971, Daily Racing Form and the TRA conducted separate ballots and two-year-olds Native Dancer (1952) and Moccasin (1965) were selected by TRA voters.

Favorite Trick won all eight of his starts for owner Joseph LaCombe, trainer Pat Byrne and jockey Pat Day, including seven stakes races, five of them graded. He capped off his perfect debut season with a resounding 5 �-length victory in the Breeders� Cup Juvenile at Hollywood Park, setting a stakes record in the process. The champion is now trained by Bill Mott after Byrne took a position as private trainer to Frank Stronach.

"I can�t express how I feel, it�s just a wonderful, wonderful feeling" said LaCombe. "Favorite Trick is a marvelous athlete and I�m so happy to see him rewarded with this."

Second in the balloting was Breeders� Cup Classic winner Skip Away, who won a record $4,089,000 in 1997, but only four of 11 starts. Ferdinand, in 1987, was the only Eclipse Award-winning Horse of the Year with a losing record, winning four of his 10 starts.

No horse received a majority of the votes from either of the three groups. Favorite Trick was the choice of the DRF and NTWA while Skip Away captured the TRA�s vote. Favorite Trick garnered 40 of the DRF�s 112 votes; 67 of the NTWA�s 154 votes; and 11 of the 33 TRA votes. Skip Away got 29 from DRF, 43 from NTWA and 16 from TRA. A total of nine horses received votes in the balloting, with Gentlemen (ARG), Silver Charm and Formal Gold finishing behind the top two.

Hall of Fame rider Sandy Hawley, one of Canada�s most accomplished and popular professional athletes, recently confirmed that he plans to quit riding this spring or summer. "It�s time to get started at something new, something for the rest of my life," he told the Toronto Globe & Mail.

Hawley, 48, is currently making his annual visit to Southern California to receive immune therapy treatment for the melanoma he has battled for several years. He�ll resume riding at Woodbine when it opens in March and has indicated he�ll quit on Canadian Oaks Day in June�unless he lands "a really good Queen�s Plate and [Canadian] Triple Crown mount," in which case he would ride until mid-August. (The Breeders Stakes, the last leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, will be run Sunday, Aug. 16 at Woodbine.)

Hawley, with approximately 6,500 victories and $89 million in purse earnings, won Eclipse Awards as the leading apprentice rider and the leading rider in North America in 1969 and 1970 and was the first jockey to win 500 races in a year (1976).

He has expressed interest in working in a public relations capacity with the Ontario Jockey Club as well as doing commentary on racing telecasts. He will work on the ESPN2 telecast of the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds, Sunday, March 15 (5:30-6:30 p.m., EST), which will be replayed on ESPN, Monday, March 16 (midnight-1 a.m., EST).

A record 12,743 foals were nominated to the Breeders� Cup program in 1997, 560 more than last year. The amount of stallions nominated increased as well, jumping 4.7 percent to 1,202. The combined fees generated $12,967,359 for the Breeders� Cup. "We are extremely pleased with our record-setting season and the sustained five-year growth in both foal and stallion nominations" said D.G. Van Clief Jr., president of Breeders� Cup Ltd. "Nomination is essential to fund the purses for the Breeders� Cup Championship and the National Stakes Program as well as the marketing and television initiatives which Breeders� Cup underwrites."

Nominators paid a one-time $500 fee per foal or, for stallions, an annual fee equal to the advertised stud fee ($1,000 minimum).

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and the Television Games Network (TVG) announced Jan. 22 the signing of a letter of intent for a comprehensive five-year membership, sponsorship and development agreement which aligns important future efforts of two of the racing industry�s most significant business entities.

The agreements calls for TVG, the Broomfield, Colo.-based interactive home entertainment and wagering network scheduled to debut November 1998, to become a "special member" and top-tier sponsor of NTRA, and for NTRA to lend its support to TVG�s market development initiatives. At the same time, the two entities will match annual contributions to a joint five-year national legislative fund dedicated to making account (home) wagering legal in new states.

The dollar value of TVG�s commitment to NTRA, including its share of the legislative fund, is estimated at approximately $15 million over five years, and possibly as much as $30 million if mutually beneficial milestones are hit.

"We are extremely pleased to enter into this partnership with the Television Games Network," commented NTRA interim Chief Executive Officer D.G. Van Clief Jr. "TVG and its business partners recently have made exceptional progress. The new relationship between NTRA and TVG is an exciting and important step toward an integrated, national television presence for our sport."

"We at TVG are honored and happy to be the first to sign a major sponsorship agreement with NTRA," stated Mark Brenner, network president. "The agreement reflects our respect for NTRA as a vital new national horse racing organization, and the fact that we share a vision of how racing can be carried to millions of people in their homes in the immediate future."

NTRA and TVG have been working along parallel paths in recent months to give racing�s various elements a cohesive, consumer-driven focus. NTRA has coalesced unprecedented support of major racing organizations and individuals around national marketing and advertising efforts for Thoroughbred racing. Television Games Network, meanwhile, has secured exclusive commitments from many of America�s major racetracks including Churchill Downs, Hollywood Park, Gulfstream Park, Arlington International, Laurel Park, Pimlico, Lone Star Park, Santa Anita Park and Turfway Park to develop and distribute a premier package of racing-based entertainment programming and wagering. The network is advancing discussions with tracks, horsemen�s groups and cable and satellite distributors to carry the novel programming into their markets.

"The ultimate purpose of both TVG and NTRA is to create new fans and new revenue for horse racing," stated Doug Donn, president of Gulfstream Park. "I�ve felt from the start the two should be working together, and I�m very pleased to see this agreement become reality so rapidly. My congratulations to both."

TVG is already working in numerous states around the country to gain legislative and regulatory approval for interactive account wagering, an effort which now will be fully coordinated with NTRA�s own legislative agenda.

"It is critical to all of us to expand the group of states which allow [wagering] participation from home," said Tom Aronson, vice president of business affairs to TVG. "The racing industry won�t grow significantly unless we create a legal, supportive environment in which to cultivate this new business. NTRA shares this opinion, and we are making a joint, multi-million dollar commitment to finance an effective effort to back it up."

The agreement between NTRA and TVG is subject to final drafting and approval of the NTRA Board of Directors and TVG principals.

Here�s a VCR alert (stock up on videotape!) for anyone who enjoys movies with horse racing themes: Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will show horse movies for the entire 24-hour period leading up to the May 2 Kentucky Derby.

The marathon will begin at 4:30 p.m. (EST) Friday, May 1 and conclude at 4:30 p.m. (EST), Saturday, May 2, just as ABC Sports� coverage of the "Run for the Roses" begins.

Here is a list of the movies, the stars, air times and brief storylines:

Robert E. Mulcahy III, in his role as president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates The Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks as well as Giants Stadium and Continental Airlines Arena, addressed the National Gambling Impact Study Commission during a public hearing on Jan. 22 in Atlantic City, N.J. His remarks, edited due to space constraints, appear below.

"In my position at the Sports and Exposition Authority, I manage the facilities that are home to five major league professional franchises in football, basketball, hockey and soccer. In addition, college sports, family shows, concerts and trade shows fill out the Giants Stadium and Continental Airlines Arena calendars.

"But first and foremost, we operate the business that made it possible for New Jersey to become a big-league sports and entertainment capital�the racetracks at The Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Commission, your charge is to study the impact of gambling on the nation. Let me take a moment to relate to you the impact of horse racing on the economics, the environment, and the ego of the State of New Jersey.

"Racing is the engine which fuels the billion-dollar sports and entertainment industry created by the Sports and Exposition Authority. In essence, racing helped make possible the extraordinary events we have brought to New Jersey, including the NCAA Final Four, the soccer World Cup, and a Papal Visit.

"In short, horse racing at The Meadowlands provided the revenue to construct the world-class facilities of Giants Stadium and the Continental Airlines Arena.

"The enormous positive economic and environmental impact of racing on New Jersey is clear. An independent study by the respected firm Deloitte and Touche marks the economic impact of the Sports Authority venues at over $1.6 billion annually, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and providing over $60 million annually to state and local government. . . .

"Environmentally, in a populous Northeastern state of relatively few square miles, racing provides the support for tens of thousands of acres of precious open green space devoted to the vital horse breeding industry. We are the third leading breeding state of Standardbreds.

"From a cultural, economic, and environmental perspective, economic benefit, the benefits directly and indirectly supported by horse racing are worth preserving and nurturing for the generations ahead.

"Nationally, the equine industry generates $112 billion of economic impact and supports over 1.4 million jobs. Those numbers are impressive to economists and statisticians and particularly impressive to those people holding those jobs and the states where they pay taxes, but there is something far deeper involved. . . .

"Horse racing is an historic and beloved pastime in the American culture. There is no parallel in other gaming, nor really any comparable moment in American sport to the high drama and beauty of the Kentucky Derby and the Hambletonian. These great days are woven into the fabric of American life.

"Having given you my moment of poetry on racing, I will turn to practical reality. Why, when given this historic and beloved place in American culture, is horse racing seemingly locked in a survival of the fittest struggle in so many states?

"The truth is that not all gambling is created equal. Horse racing handicapping, by its nature, is a skill-based enterprise. Games with seemingly more sizzle lure many patrons in the nineteen nineties.

"With all due respect to the outstanding Chairman of the Casino Control Commission, Brad Smith, who will be following me, horse racing in New Jersey and around the country is among the most regulated industries in the country.

"And finally, and I am very mindful of what I am saying here, states have found the direct revenue of other forms of gaming such as casino gambling and the lottery to be irresistible. States unleveled the playing field. . . .

"Horse racing needs, of course, to get its own marketing house in order. But I suggest to this federal panel the same basic four-word guideline I suggested in testimony to the recently completed Racing Industry Study Commission in New Jersey�impaneled by Governor Whitman��Level the playing field.�

"The New Jersey Racing Commission, which issued its final recommendations last week, was bi-partisan, and included representatives of the casino and racing industries, the compulsive gambling community, and regular citizens.

"It voted 17-1 to recommend a series of reforms to the Governor and the Legislature. In my 30 years in fairly high levels of public policy in this state, it was one of the most outstanding jobs of consensus-building on policy for an important state industry I have ever seen.

"Unfortunately, this sound example of state commission policy-making to promote and nurture racing and fund compulsive gambling services is under full frontal assault in the halls of Congress.

"A state commission determines a course of action to protect and promote a billion-dollar equine industry and tens of thousands of precious farming acres, but its work may be rendered moot.

"How can that be? It is called the Kyl bill. I do not know Senator Kyl, but in the name of Internet wagering regulation, he has produced a bill that criminalizes state racing policy across the country. It would make illegal that which is currently legal in eight states and which this New Jersey commission called for�I speak of account wagering and interstate simulcasting.

"First and foremost, Congress need not over-regulate an industry�horse racing�already amply regulated.

"Secondly, the anti-competitive elements of the Kyl bill take an industry that needs a regulatory antidote and gives it a lethal dose of prohibition poison.

"On behalf of all of racing, I hope Congress does not make the fatal error of legislating racing out of the technological age. To criminalize account wagering at the federal level overturns the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, which reaffirms the states� responsibility to regulate racing within their borders. . . .

"Were it not for the innovation of intrastate and interstate simulcasting in the 1980s, both racing and New Jersey�s sports and entertainment industries, which it supports, would have been crippled.

"But the New Jersey voters approved simulcasting and we ask for the same opportunity to have the playing field leveled in 1998 without federal interference. . . .

"Reason dictates that New Jersey residents who can wager by account in neighboring states should have the barriers to doing so in New Jersey removed.

"These conditions can be simply and cleanly addressed by our own New Jersey Legislature and would positively impact the economics of the entire equine industry. . . .

"This Federal commission is undoubtedly more aware than I of expanded gaming plans elsewhere in the country.

"From my point of view, I look at the competitive challenge of expanding gambling as a call to those of us in the industry to put the best interests of our States first. We in the industry can better cooperate with each other and joint-market so that we do not unduly cannibalize each other [while we] provide the most economic return for our citizens. . . .

"To be prepared for the marketplace of the next few years requires us to put aside the unnecessary blame game of who�s ruining racing or the counterproductive internecine warfare in the casino industry. . . .

"Let us fully recognize the simple facts before us. Legalized gambling has seriously impacted racing nationwide but nowhere greater than the Northeast.

"Independent study shows that real revenue from racing has declined 27 percent since 1982 and that the gross impact of the casinos and lottery on racing combined are negative 57 percent in New Jersey.

"All we have sought in New Jersey, and all we ask of Washington, is a fair chance to compete. New Jersey is addressing this fairness issue. Washington should too.

"What does level the playing field on the Federal level mean?

"1) Allow the States to regulate gaming and racing, rejecting the Kyl bill with its current amendments.

"2) Focus on the extraordinary growth of offshore gaming where American residents are recruited over the Internet to wager on sports.

"3) Have the IRS redress the tax imbalance between racing and casino winnings.

"4) Find a fair balance between the needs of the existing industry and the growth of Indian gaming.

"The answer to the challenge before us is to start leveling the field to make positive action possible."

NOTE: On Feb. 4, Mulcahy was named athletic director of New Jersey�s state school, Rutgers University. He is expected to assume those duties in mid-April.

ESPN and ESPN2 will provide more than 70 hours of racing coverage in 1998, it was announced Jan. 29 by Bristol, Conn.-based ESPN. This year�s coverage is the most ever offered by ESPN/ESPN2 and is up from 54 hours in 1997. Expanded Triple Crown programming features 26 hours of Kentucky Derby coverage; 10 � hours of Preakness Week shows (including post position draws for both races); and a Belmont Stakes Special on June 6.

Along with listings for FOX, ABC Sports and NBC, ESPN�s National Car Rental Racing Across America and Triple Crown coverage schedules appear below. Additional programming, including 2Day at the Races and Racing to the Breeders� Cup, will be announced at a later date. ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN; schedule is subject to change.

Jan. 31 Hutcheson Stakes, Gulfstream 4:30-5:30 p.m. ESPN

Feb. 21 Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream 4:30-5:30 p.m. ESPN

Feb. 22 Eclipse Awards Special, Calif. 4:30-5:30 p.m. ESPN

March 14 Swale Stakes, Florida Derby, Gulfstream 5:30-6:00 p.m. ABC

March 15 Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds 5:30-6:30 p.m. ESPN2

March 16 Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds Midnight-1:00 a.m. ESPN

March 28 Jim Beam Stakes, Turfway 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN

Dubai World Cup, Nad Al Sheba

April 4 Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita 5:00-6:00 p.m. FOX

April 4 Flamingo Stakes, Hialeah 6:00-7:00 p.m. ESPN

Ashland Stakes, Keeneland

April 11 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland 4:30-5:30 p.m. ESPN

April 11 Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn 5:30-6:00 p.m. ABC

Wood Memorial, Belmont

Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland (tape)

April 19 Lone Star Derby, Lone Star Park 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN

Texas Mile, Lone Star

Lexington Stakes, Keeneland

April 25 Derby Trial, Churchill Downs 4:30-6:00 p.m. ABC

April 27 Run for the Roses 5:00-5:30 p.m. ESPN

Eddie Arcaro Derbies

April 28 Run for the Roses 5:00-5:30 p.m. ESPN

The Senior Derbies

April 29 Kentucky Derby Draw, Churchill* 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN

April 30 Run for the Roses 5:00-5:30 p.m. ESPN

Seventies Sweeps

April 30 Run for the Roses 5:30-6:00 p.m. ESPN

Derby Dreams

May 1 Breakfast at Churchill Downs 7:00-8:00 a.m. ESPN2

May 1 2Day at Churchill Downs 3:30-5:00 p.m. ESPN2

May 1 Kentucky Oaks, Churchill 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN

May 1 Handicapping the Derby 11:00-11:30 p.m. ESPN2

May 2 Breakfast at Churchill Downs* 8:00-9:00 a.m. ESPN2

May 2 2Day at the Kentucky Derby Noon-2:00 p.m. ESPN2

May 2 Kentucky Derby Special, Churchill 2:00-4:30 p.m. ESPN

May 2 Kentucky Derby, Churchill 4:30-6:00 p.m. ABC

May 2 Kentucky Derby Highlights 6:00-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

May 9 Pimlico Special, Pimlico 4:00-4:30 p.m. ABC

May 13 Preakness Post Position Draw, Pimlico 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN

May 15 2Day at Pimlico 3:30-5:00 p.m. ESPN2

May 15 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, Pimlico 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN

May 15 Handicapping the Preakness 11:00-11:30 p.m. ESPN2

May 16 Breakfast at Pimlico** 8:00-9:00 a.m. ESPN2

May 16 Preakness Stakes Special, Pimlico 2:00-3:30 p.m. ESPN

May 16 2Day at the Preakness 3:30-4:30 p.m. ESPN2

May 16 Preakness Stakes, Pimlico 4:30-6:00 p.m. ABC

June 6 Belmont Stakes Special, Belmont 2:30-4:30 p.m. ESPN

June 6 Belmont Stakes, Belmont 4:30-6:00 p.m. ABC

June 6 Belmont Stakes Highlights 6:00-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

July 5 Budweiser Irish Derby, Curragh 12:30-1:30 p.m. ESPN

Oct. 10 Breeders� Cup Preview 4:30-6:00 p.m. NBC

Nov. 1 Breeders� Cup Special, Churchill 1:00-2:00 p.m. ESPN

Nov. 7 Breeders� Cup, Churchill 1:00-5:30 p.m. NBC

*Will re-air hourly each morning through noon on May 2.

**Will re-air hourly that morning through noon.

Racing fans who enjoy racing trivia and nostalgia might want to check out an Internet newsletter called "Second Running." It�s produced by Martha Cantarini of Kelowna, B.C., about 400 miles from Vancouver. Her husband, John, was a leading rider on the California fair circuit in the late �50s and early �60s. Martha spent many years doing stunt work on horseback in Hollywood. She appeared in The Big Country with Gregory Peck and Love Me Tender with Elvis Presley.

The web site, which includes old photos, humorous anecdotes, memorabilia and audio, is located at www.cablelan.net/secondrunning.

If reading is fundamental, as the slogan says, then reading about horse racing is fundamental for Thoroughbred fans, too. Using this premise, Delta Downs brings "The Romance of Racing" to the Vinton, La., racetrack on Saturday, Feb. 14. The track has contacted a number of industry publishers and organizations to request donations of reading materials with a decidedly equine theme.

"I first became a racing fan when I read horse books as a child," explained Steve Nick, Delta�s director of publicity and advertising. "I thought this would be a great way to encourage our fans to read more about racing, since a well-read person is smarter and bets more intelligently and often."

Nick also hopes to get reading material geared toward children since this is the first season that the track will admit children as young as six when accompanied by an adult. "We also hope to have some prizes for our fans," said Nick. "All of our advertising for this promotion is geared toward showing the beauty, pageantry and romance of a night at the races."

The 1998 Triple Crown series will mark the 25th anniversary of the legendary Secretariat�s victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes and a Secretariat Anniversary Committee has been formed to coordinate activities during the five-week period.

No one appreciates the horse�s popularity more than owner Penny Chenery, who has meticulously answered fan mail for the past 25 years. "What really surprises me," she says, "is when I meet little kids who are six or seven years old and they tell me Secretariat was their favorite horse. I guess they�ve heard and read a lot about him."

The 1998 Triple Crown series also marks the 50th anniversary of Citation�s Triple Crown and the 20th anniversary of the memorable Affirmed-Alydar rivalry.

Ascot Racecourse recently began an innovative program designed to give access to its most exclusive sections, broaden the appeal of the track and give its members an opportunity to experience the pleasures of Thoroughbred ownership. The Royal Ascot Racing Club, launched last December, is similar to an ownership syndicate; however, unlike typical syndicates and limited partnerships, all costs to members are included in a one-time "joining fee" and the yearly renewal fee. There are no other costs or maintenance fees to pay on the six horses owned by the club.

Membership benefits include complimentary admission to the racecourse throughout the year, a luxurious club room behind the Iron Stand, a private stand near the Royal Box to watch the races, priority booking privileges for all racedays, use of a private restaurant and guest privileges. Foreign members unable to attend their horses� races will receive videotapes of all their races.

According to Alistair Haggis, a publicity consultant to Ascot, approximately 70 members have joined to date. The club will be limited to 300 members. "Most of the members are already involved in the sport," said Haggis. "We have some trainers and owners who joined because of the benefits the club offers, including access to restricted areas of the racecourse and the ability to entertain clients in these restricted areas."

Most of the six horses owned by the club were purchased at auctions in England and Ireland for an average price of �50,000. All are current two-year-olds who will be trained by Michael Stoute, Peter Chapple-Hyam and Richard Hannon. The horses will be managed by Harry Herbert of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. The club�s silks are white with dark blue armlets and cap.

The fees to join the Royal Ascot Racing Club are �4,000 plus VAT, and an annual fee of �3,500 plus VAT, which will be offset by earnings of the club�s horses. If any of the club�s horses are sold in the year, a portion of the proceeds will be used to purchase additional horses. Club members will share in sale proceeds only if the horses are sold in excess of twice their original purchase price.

"With all the benefits and facilities available to members and with membership strictly limited to 300 people, this will be the world�s premier racing club," commented Lord Hartington, Her Majesty�s representative at Ascot. "It is one of the most exciting innovations at the Racecourse for many years. Significantly, all our customers will ultimately benefit as it is very much a question of maximizing the potential of the Racecourse�the revenues which we will earn from the Club will far exceed the value to us of the facilities in their current use, thereby helping to provide vital funds required for the major redevelopment of the Racecourse in a few years� time. At the same time, club members know that they will benefit directly from any major profits made on horses, either through the purchase of more horses, improvements to the facilities or refunds on their membership fees."

Ascot will offer 14 days of racing in 1998.

Feb. 11, 1933: The Jockey Club released data showing that as of 1932, the U.S. had surpassed Great Britain and Ireland in foal production for the first time, to become the world�s leading producer of Thoroughbreds.

Feb. 12, 1981: Julie Krone rode her first career winner, a $3,500 claimer named Lord Farkle, which was owned and trained by Les St. Leon, in the sixth race at Tampa Bay Downs.

Feb. 14, 1966: Buckpasser suffered the only defeat of his three-year-old season when he finished second in a non-betting race, the Black Caesar Purse, at Hialeah. He went on to post 13 consecutive victories in 1966 (12 of them in stakes races), but was unable to compete in any of the Triple Crown races because of a hoof injury.

Feb. 14, 1990: Ladbroke at Golden Gate Fields inaugurated co-pooling of its wagers with those of a sister organization, Ladbroke Racing Wyoming. The co-pooling of wagers across state lines, made possible by California legislation that had gone into effect Jan. 1, was a first in U.S. racing.

Feb. 15, 1974: Future Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew was foaled at White Horse Acres, Lexington, Ky.

Feb. 16, 1891: At the urging of Pierre Lorillard, the Board of Control, composed of seven representatives of the racing industry, was formed to govern Thoroughbred racing. The Board�s powers extended to matters of licensing; allotment of racing dates; and the regulation of purse payments. The Board, as the governing body for racing, was succeeded by The Jockey Club, formed in 1894.

Feb. 17, 1985: Laffit Pincay Jr. scored his 6,000th career win, aboard Doria�s Delight in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park.

Feb. 22, 1969: Barbara Jo Rubin became the first woman jockey to win a parimutuel race in America when she rode Cohesion to victory at Charles Town.

Feb. 23, 1935: Seven-year-old Azucar, a former steeplechaser, won the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap at Santa Anita Park.

Feb. 24, 1947: Acting upon an earlier recommendation by The Jockey Club stewards, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations unanimously approved lip tattoos as a method of identifying Thoroughbred racehorses.

Feb. 24, 1979: Trainer J.C. Williams saddled eight winners in 12 attempts at Waterford Park. Williams also owned seven of those eight winners.

Feb. 26, 1973: With Secretariat having been named Horse of the Year for 1972 and champion two-year-old, it was announced by Claiborne Farm that the colt had been syndicated for a then-record $6,080,000�equivalent to 32 shares at $190,000 each.

Feb. 27, 1982: Florida apprentice Mary Russ became the first female jockey to win a Grade I stakes in North America when she captured the Widener Handicap aboard Lord Darnley at Hialeah.

Feb. 28, 1957: John Longden became the first jockey in history to reach 5,000 victories.

Feb. 11 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 p.m. ESPN

Feb. 12 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 a.m. ESPN

Feb. 14 Racehorse Digest 5:30-6:00 a.m. ESPN

Feb. 18 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 p.m. ESPN

Feb. 19 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 a.m. ESPN

Feb. 21 Racehorse Digest 5:30-6:00 a.m. ESPN

Feb. 21 Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gulfstream 4:30-5:30 p.m. ESPN

Feb. 21 2Day at the Races 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

Feb. 22 Eclipse Awards Special 4:30-5:30 p.m. ESPN

Feb. 25 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 p.m. ESPN

Feb. 26 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 a.m. ESPN

Feb. 27 Racehorse Digest 5:00-5:30 a.m. ESPN

Feb. 28 2Day at the Races 5:50-6:00 p.m. ESPN2

John Nash, the general manager of the NBA�s New Jersey Nets, is a longtime Thoroughbred racing fan, owner and breeder. But then again you might have guessed that if you saw how he described the Nets� selection of standout rookie Keith Van Horn in the Jan. 19 issue of Sports Illustrated: "I�m a horseplayer, and I�ve seen a lot of 2-year-olds who were very impressive in the morning but lost their luster at post time," he said. "But you get very few opportunities in this business to get this kind of thoroughbred."

The Visa Championship is a series of 45 stakes races for three-year-olds to determine the Visa Three-Year-Old Champion. Horses are awarded points based on performance in designated graded and non-graded races. The points will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers as follows: Triple Crown races will be scored 15-10-7; Grade I races will be scored 10-7-5; Grade II races 7-5-3; and Grade III and ungraded 5-3-1.

HORSES: Time Limit-12, Sea of Secrets-7, Artax-5, Cape Town-5, Coronado�s Quest-5, Late Edition-5, Comic Strip-3, Pleasant Drive-3, Sejm Run-3, Souvenir Copy-3, Zippy Zeal-3, Allen�s Oop-1, Governor Hicks-1, Sweetsouthernsaint-1

JOCKEYS: Jerry Bailey-17, Kent Desormeaux-10, Chris McCarron-5, Mike Smith-5, Gary Stevens-5, Pat Day-4, Eddie Delahoussaye-3, Abdiel Toribio-3, Shane Sellers-3, Javier Castellano-1, Laffit Pincay Jr.-1

TRAINERS: D. Wayne Lukas-22, Neil Drysdale-7, Bob Baffert-6, Randy Bradshaw-5, Shug McGaughey-5, Bill Badgett-3, Julian Canet-3, Neil Howard-3, Leo Azpurua Jr.-1, Dallas Keen-1, Luis Olivares-1

An alphabetical list of the 384 early nominees to the Visa Triple Crown Challenge appears below. Early nominations closed Jan. 17. Late nominations close March 28. There were 375 Triple Crown nominations in 1997.