TRC THOROUGHBRED NOTEBOOK

August 3, 1995

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

N.Y. GOVERNOR, RACING'S LEADERS TO ADDRESS ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE
New York Governor George E. Pataki will be the keynote speaker at The Jockey Club Round Table on Matters Pertaining to Racing, which convenes Sunday, Aug. 13 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Also speaking at the day-long symposium will be John Reardon, former president of MTV and currently the president of Zing, Inc., developers of interactive television. Reardon's presentation is titled, 'From Mtv to Itv: You'll Never Look at Television the Same Way Again.' Masayuki Goto, general manager of the Japan Racing Association's New York office, will describe the progress of wagering and racing in Japan over the last two decades. Richard LeBer, president and CEO of Equibase Company, will speak on new information technologies and how they will affect Thoroughbred racing. Robert E. Mulcahy III, president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, will discuss the role of Thoroughbred Racing Communications Inc. in serving the racing industry. Mulcahy is the chairman of the board of TRC.

Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club, will open the session; his remarks will be followed by those of William S. Farish vice chairman of The Jockey Club, reporting on TJC's activities in the past year.

KEENELAND REQUESTS SUMMER DATES TO COINCIDE WITH JULY SALE
Keeneland Race Course, in Lexington, Ky., has reduced its request for 1996 summer dates. Keeneland had originally requested a 15- day summer meet for next year. The new plan calls for a five-day meet to coincide with the track's prestigious July Select Yearling Sale. Keeneland officials are asking the Kentucky Racing Commission for a Wednesday through Sunday meet, July 17-21, with seven races each day. The track would hold races in the afternoons while the sale possibly held over three evening sessions. The Kentucky Racing Commission must award 1996 dates by Sept. 1. Currently, Keeneland conducts a short meet each spring and fall.

CAUSE OF ELLIS PARK FIRE STILL UNKNOWN
The fire which caused the death of 27 Thoroughbreds at Ellis Park is still unknown. Kentucky fire and arson officials are still at the Henderson, Ky., racetrack trying to determine the cause of the early morning fire on July 31. Deputy State Fire Marshall Carl Richards said that the fire did not break out around the tack room ventilating fan, as had previously been suspected. Investigators do know the fire started in the small tack room and engulfed the barn in flames within minutes. Racing at Ellis was canceled on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

SARATOGA GOES TO THE DOGS -- FOR CHARITY
The annual Saratoga dog show to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will be held at the Saratoga Springs, N.Y., racetrack Tuesday, Aug. 15 in the paddock area beginning at 12:45 p.m. The theme for this year's costume event is 'The World of Sport.' Prizes will be given for the best uniform, owner look-alike and there will be special prizes for canine with special talents and 'star quality.' Judges for this year's show are jockey Julie Krone, TV analyst Charlsie Cantey, trainer Angel Cordero and sports writer Jenny Kellner.

Racing personalities such as jockeys Jerry Bailey, Eddie Maple and Richard Migliore, trainers Jonathan Sheppard, Angel Penna Jr., John Kimmel and Tom Skiffington, as well as Saratoga doyenne Marylou Whitney, will enter their dogs in the competition. The entry fee is $15 per dog. Spectators are encouraged to make a donation to the TRF, which cares for retired Thoroughbred racehorses at the Foundation farm in Wallkill, N.Y. and the Charles Hickey Jr. School for wayward youths in Maryland. For additional information or to receive an entry form, please call Elinor Penna at (518) 581-8834.

JOCKEY SANDY HAWLEY INJURED
Hall of Fame rider Sandy Hawley, winner of more than 6,300 career races, was injured after being thrown from his mount during the post parade for the sixth race at Woodbine, Wednesday, Aug. 2. Hawley suffered bladder damage, a cracked rib and internal bleeding after Regent's Revue reared and fell on him. He is expected to be out of action at least two months. Currently the leading rider at the Rexdale, Ontario track, Hawley was taken to Etobicoke General Hospital for x-rays. Hawley was twice named Canada's Athlete of the Year and was the first jockey to win 500 races in a single season.

TURF WRITERS WILL HONOR CROLL, HOVDEY AND THE LATE MARK KAUFMAN
Trainer Warren A. 'Jimmy' Croll Jr., writer Jay Hovdey and the late Mark Kaufman, a Thoroughbred racing publicist, will be honored when the National Turf Writers Association (NTWA) hosts its 36th annual awards dinner, Wednesday, Oct. 25 in New York. Croll, the owner and trainer of Holy Bull, will receive the Mr. Fitz Award, named for legendary trainer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, for typifying the spirit of horse racing. Hovdey, a free-lance writer from Laguna Nigel, Calif., who has won two Eclipse Awards and several other industry writing awards, will receive the Walter Haight Award for outstanding achievement in turf writing. The Joe Palmer Award for meritorious service to horse racing will be bestowed posthumously upon Kaufman, a Seattle-based racing publicist who suffered a fatal heart Tuesday, May 2, in Louisville. Kaufman, 47, was in Louisville at the time to assist the Churchill Downs media relations department for the Kentucky Derby. The award will be accepted by his widow, Molly Kaufman. Additional information about the dinner may be obtained by contacting Jim Bolus at (502) 245-3809.

U.S. TAKES ON THE WORLD IN BRAZIL
A field of 20, including U.S. entrants Celtic Arms (FR) and Talloires, will compete in the Grade I Gran Premio Brasil at the Gavea Racecourse in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Aug. 6. The 2400-meter turf event (about 1 1-2 miles), worth more than $1 million, has drawn entries from the U.S. and France as well as Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Celtic Arms (FR) was second in the Grade I Caesars International Handicap, June 25 at Atlantic City Racecourse, and has yet to win in his three American starts. The French-bred and raced colt won the French Derby last year. Talloires also began his career in France and has two wins and three seconds in seven U.S. races. He has been competitive in allowance races but has had trouble with stakes company. Leading the competition is Brazil's Horse of the Year, Much Better, and Pia-Vovo, last year's champion three-year-old colt.

OWNERS SEMINAR AT SARATOGA
A program designed to educate potential new Thoroughbred owners will be held at Saratoga Racecourse, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Aug. 12. Conducted by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the seminar will start at 8 a.m. in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion on the Fasig-Tipton sales grounds.

TELEVISED RACES
August 4, 'Racehorse Digest,' 2:00-2:30 a.m., ESPN August 5, 'Racehorse Digest,' 6:30-7:00 a.m., ESPN August 5, Whitney Handicap, Saratoga Racecourse, 4:30-5:30 p.m., ESPN August 6, '2Day at the Races,' 6:30-7:00 p.m., ESPN2 Arlington Handicap, Arlington; Sorority Stakes, Monmouth;Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap, Penn National August 9, 'Racehorse Digest,' 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN

RACING TO HISTORY
Aug. 3, 1971: The yearling Secretariat was shod on his front feet for the first time and transferred to the Meadow training center for breaking. Aug. 3, 1989: Jockey Jorge Velasquez notched his 6,000th career victory aboard three-year-old filly Maddie Bumpo in the third race at Arlington International Racecourse. Aug. 4, 1973: In his first race against older horses, 1-10 favorite Secretariat was defeated in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga by Allen Jerkens' four-year-old trainee Onion, who beat him by a length. Secretariat was subsequently found to be suffering from a virus. Aug. 5, 1988: Trainer Dale Baird won his 5,000th career race with Stuffed Johnnie at Mountaineer Park, becoming the second trainer in history, behind Jack Van Berg, to reach that mark. Aug. 6, 1951: The National Museum of Racing opened in Congress Park at Saratoga Springs, N.Y. More than 2,000 people attended the opening ceremonies presided over by C.V. Whitney. Aug. 7, 1988: Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye won his 4,000th race aboard a two-year-old filly named Fawn and Hahn in the fourth race at Del Mar. Aug. 8, 1970: Jockey Bill Shoemaker won his 6,000th career victory aboard Shining Count at Del Mar. Aug. 8, 1987: Kent Desormeaux rode his 13th stakes winner as an apprentice jockey, aboard King's Snow in the Primer Stakes at Pimlico. He shattered the previous record of 10 held by Steve Cauthen. Aug. 10, 1982: Mary Russ became the first female rider to surpass the $1 million mark in earnings when she finished third aboard Bammer in the fourth race at Saratoga. Aug. 11, 1972: In preparation for his stakes-racing debut, the Aug. 16 Sanford at Saratoga, Secretariat worked five furlongs in 59. Aug. 13, 1919 Upset scored a win against Man o' War in the Sanford Memorial Stakes at Saratoga. The defeat was Big Red's only loss in 21 starts. Aug. 13, 1951: At odds of 2-1, Greentree Stable's Tom Fool won his maiden race by four lengths at Saratoga.

WEEKEND STAKES

SATURDAY
Ramona H., 3&up (f&m), $300,000, 1 1/8 Miles Turf, G. I, Del Mar Italian champion Alpride (IRE) made an impressive U.S. debut, taking the Grade I Beverly Hills Handicap at Hollywood Park, July 2, beating two of America's better turf mares, Possibly Perfect and Wandesta (GB). Possibly Perfect had her five-race winning streak snapped in the Beverly Hills, where she spotted Alpride (IRE) nine pounds. The difference is now five pounds. Marina Park (GB) has run in England, France, Ireland, Hong Kong and the U.S., but hasn't won since capturing the Grade III Las Cienegas Breeders' Cup Handicap at Santa Anita, April 8. Charlie Whittingham has won the past four runnings of the Ramona, the last three times with Flawlessly, and will send out Lady Affirmed, second in the Grade I Gamely Handicap and fourth in the Grade I Beverly Hills Handicap, both at this distance at Hollywood Park. Yearly Tour won a listed stake last start and has been close with these, finishing second twice to Wandesta (GB). Morgana won the listed Melvin Durslag Handicap at Hollywood Park and was fourth to Possibly Perfect and Lady Affirmed in the Grade I Gamely Handicap. Others entered are: My Oooo Aah is always close but in vastly weaker company; Real Connection was a distant fourth in Hollywood Park's Grade I Vanity Handicap last start.

Whitney Handicap, 3&up, $350,000, 1 1/8 Miles, Grade I, Saratoga Seven-year-old Key Contender, winner of the Grade I Surburban Handicap at Belmont Park last out, heads a balanced field. His main competition will probably be Our Emblem, who has two seconds and two thirds in stakes races his last four starts but hasn't won since a March 10 allowance race at Gulfstream Park. Unaccounted For won his last start, an allowance race in the mud, by 9 1-2 lengths, but hadn't shown much before. Others entered are: Siberian Summer, who has made all eight of his 1995 starts on the turf; Itaka, winner of the listed Clarinet King Stakes; L'Carriere and Amathos, first and second in a recent allowance race at Saratoga; Silver Fox, fourth in the Surburban but always close in allowance company; and Federal Funds, making his 106th career start, was third in the Surburban.

Arlington Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $150,000, 1 1/16 Miles Turf, Arlington Bull Page S., 2yo (c&g), $75,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade IIIC, Woodbine Cornhusker H., 3&up, $150,000, 1 1/8 Miles, Grade III, AKsarben Florida Stallion Stakes, Desert Vixen Division, 2yo fillies, $75,000, 6 Furlongs, Calder Florida Stallion Stakes, Dr. Fager Division, 2yo, $75,000, 6 Furlongs, Calder

SUNDAY
Eddie Read H., 3&up, $300,000, 1 1/8 Miles Turf, Grade I, Del Mar A very competitive international field is scheduled to compete, led by Earl of Barking (IRE), who has been fourth, first, seventh, first and fifth, winning every other race. He may keep that streak alive here as his 2 1-4-length win in the Grade I Hollywood Turf Handicap, May 29, over Sandpit (BRZ) will probably be good enough to beat this field. Seven times in the money in seven races in France, Northern Spur (IRE) will be making his first U.S. start. He was second to Carnegie (IRE) in the Group 2 Prix Niel last year and has been idle since Oct. 1. Romarin (BRZ) was a wire-to-wire winner of the Grade II Early Times Turf Classic, May 6, at Churchill Downs, but failed badly on dirt after that and was second on turf to Silver Wizard in the American Handicap. Urgent Request (IRE) earned $550,000 for winning the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap and $18,750 in his next three starts, all for a fourth-place finish in the Caesars Palace Turf Championship, a race he was beaten nearly 13 lengths. He has been running on dirt against Cigar and on turf against Sandpit (BRZ) so he may find this field a bit easier. Silver Wizard has won three of his last five starts and scored a 1 1-2- length win over Romarin (BRZ) in the Grade II American Handicap at Hollywood Park, July 4, his last start. Fastness (IRE) came back June 24 after being rested since Oct. 15 with a 2 3-4-length win in a Hollywood Park allowance race. He was fifth in last year's Arlington Million. Others expected are Elkhorn winner Marvin's Faith and Eagle Eyed.

Sorority S., 2yo fillies, $200,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade III, Monmouth Two undefeated fillies collide, D. Wayne Lukas's Golden Attraction and Jimmy Croll's Careless Heiress. Golden Attraction is three for three, and is coming off her second stakes win, a 2 1-2-length score in Saratoga's Grade II Schuylerville Stakes. Careless Heiress has won both her career starts at Monmouth Park, a maiden win by 7 1-2 lengths followed up by a win in the Colleen Stakes.

A Phenomenon S., 3&up, $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade II, Saratoga Arlington H., 3&up, $200,000, 1 1/4 Miles Turf, Grade II, Arlington Spicy Living Sweepstakes, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 1/8 Miles Turf, Rockingham Toronto Cup H., 3yo, $75,000, 1 1/8 Miles Turf, G. IIC, Woodbine


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