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

KEENELAND SALE GROSSES $142.1 MILLION
Keeneland's 11-day November Breeding Stock Sale ended Tuesday, Nov. 21, with gross sales of $142.1 million, the fifth highest in the history of the annual auction. Auctioneers sold a total of 2,861 horses for $141,897,300 and two stallion shares for $245,000. The total number of lots -- 2,863 -- was 14.6 percent more than the 2,498 lots sold last year and set a record for the sale. The previous record was 2,575 set in 1990. Despite the number of horses sold, the average price was $49,597, a two-percent increase over the 1994 average of $48,591. Five horses were sold for more than $1 million during the sale, topped by $2.5 million paid by Kazuo Nakamura for User Friendly. The mare, a multiple Group I winner in Europe, is in foal to Mr. Prospector.

MEDIA ECLIPSE AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE DEC. 1
Members of the media are reminded that the deadline for submitting entries for Eclipse Award consideration is Friday, Dec. 1. The categories are: newspaper writing, magazine writing, photography, national television, local television and radio. (Photographers are required to send five prints since photo editors will be judging entries in that category this year). Additional information about the Eclipse Awards may be obtained by contacting Conrad Sobkowiak at the TRA, (410) 392-9200.

PLAYER HAS THE DRIVER, NOW HE NEEDS AN EQUINE NAME FOR IT
When golfer Gary Player, an avid Thoroughbred owner and breeder, won the Bank One Classic, a Senior PGA Tour event in Lexington, Ky., Sept. 24, he credited his recently developed, but still unnamed, titanium driver for the victory. 'Maybe we should have a contest,' he told 'USA Today.'

According to the newspaper, Player liked the idea of calling the new driver 'The Thoroughbred,' but it seems that the rights to that name belong to Powerbilt, which makes golf equipment, appropriately enough, in Louisville. The new driver, a product of Gary Player Golf Equipment in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., features a graphite shaft and will retail for about $499 when it goes on sale in the near future.

If you can think of an appropriate name for the club -- one that might incorporate Player's passion for horses and golf -- Gary Player Golf Equipment 'would be delighted' to hear from you. Suggestions may be sent to: Gary Treater, Gary Player Golf Equipment, 3930 RCA Boulevard (#3001), Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 33410.

FLORIDA JOCKEYS TO VISIT MIAMI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WEDNESDAY
Calder Race Course jockeys and trainers will be spreading some pre- Thanksgiving cheer when they visit cancer-afflicted children at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 22. A total of 19 jockeys and several local trainers are scheduled to visit with the children and distribute autographed photos, jockey goggles, caps and gifts. The jockeys will appear in colorful silks.

The visit was coordinated by the Women's Thoroughbred Action League, a Calder-based group that promotes horse racing and good-will and has spearheaded several recent forays to local children's hospitals. According to WTAL President and horse trainer Jeanne Kolarik, all of the children who have been visited by the group have been enthusiastic and ask a variety of questions, including queries as to the jockeys' weight and whether they are ever afraid when they ride. 'It seems no matter where you go, children just naturally like horses, ' said Kolarik. 'To meet real-life athletes. it's just a big treat for them. We are hoping that someday these kids can come out and see the horses and jockeys do their jobs on the racetrack.'

The group is scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 11 a.m. They will visit briefly with youngsters age 12 and younger first, then concentrate their attentions on children 13 to 17 in the cancer ward.

SYMPOSIUM ON RACING CONVENES DEC. 5-9 IN TUCSON
The 22nd annual Symposium on Racing, to be held Dec. 5-9 in Tucson, Ariz., will feature such topics as the visual presentation of horse racing and how it can be coordinated with the entertainment needs of future audiences; how the addition of other types of gaming affects racing and racetracks; and whether a 'check-off' system for funding a national marketing campaign is viable for racing. In addition, there will be a session on the 'technology highway' and how it can impact racing. Speakers include Marty Goldman, marketing director for Autotote; Phil O'Hara, general manager of Penn National; Jeff Smith, senior vice president of planning and development for Churchill Downs; and Mark Wilson, president of Hubbard Enterprises. Chris Scherf, executive vice president of Thoroughbred Racing Associations, will moderate the panel discussion.

Four separate discussions relating to equine welfare issues will be held over a two-day period, Dec. 7-8. The management of racing surfaces, care and use of the animal athlete, the international shipping of horses and new approaches to regulating medications used in the treatment of racing animals, are the subjects that will be covered. Speakers include Dr. Robert Jack, equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board; Dr. Jerry Bilinski, D.V.M., chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board; and Clinton Pitts, steward for The Jockey Club.

The Turf Publicists of America's Mark Kaufman Workshop, to be held Dec. 5, will feature sessions on the Internet and its applications to racing's media, and a panel discussion by professed 'non-fans' of racing, who will be asked to explain why racing has failed to attract them.

The opening session of the symposium itself, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, will be an interactive discussion of current and future issues in racing. Among the panelists will be Dan Fick, senior director of racing for the American Quarter Horse Association; Cliff Goodrich, president of the TRA; Alan Marzelli, executive vice president and CFO of The Jockey Club; and George Rankins, chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

(For additional information on the symposium, contact the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona, (520) 621-5660.)

MEADOWLANDS RACING ATTRACTS MORE THAN HORSE FANS
The Meadowlands racetrack had more athletes than just Thoroughbreds and jockeys on Friday, Nov. 17 when Brad May, Matthew Barnaby, Dave Hannon and Jason Hawe of the NHL Buffalo Sabres presented the trophy to the winner of the fourth race. Also at the East Rutherford, N.J. track that evening were New York Jets owner Leon Hess, New York Giants co-owner Wellington Mara and Tim Rooney, part-owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mara and Hess attended the races as fans, while Rooney was there to watch his filly Alina Gatto -- who evidently identifies with the Jets and the Giants when it comes to competition - - run sixth in the second race.

RACING MUSEUM ANNOUNCES PHOTO EXHIBITS, FILM SCHEDULE
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has announced dates for two photo exhibits and the screening of six classic movies with racing backdrops. 'Winning Colors,' a photo contest and show featuring photographs from all over the country, opened Nov. 2 and will run through Jan. 31. 'Walter D. Osborne's Thoroughbred World,' featuring 26 works of the late photographer from Time, Life, Fortune and Sports Illustrated, will be on display in the museum lobby from Dec. 3 through March 31.

The six movies will air at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the Family Film Theatre of the museum. There is no charge to see the movies and admission to the museum is free on Sundays. The six movies are: Sunday, Dec. 3 'Little Miss Marker' (Walter Matthau, Julie Andrews, Tony Curtis and Bob Newhart); Sunday, Jan. 14 'Saratoga' (Jean Harlow, Clark Gable); Monday, Jan. 15 'Phar Lap' (the story of the Australian Thoroughbred legend); Sunday, Feb. 18 'Misty' (based on Marguerite Henry's award-winning novel 'Misty of Chincoteague'); Monday, Feb. 19 'The Horse That Played Centerfield' (based on Hal Higdon's novel); Sunday, Feb. 25 'A Day at The Races' (Groucho, Chico and Harpo Marx)

MEADOWLANDS TOY DRIVE DEC.1
The Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J., will host the annual Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots drive on Friday, Dec. 1. The drive, which aids underprivileged New Jersey children, has collected several thousands of dollars worth of toys over the year. Any fan who brings a new, unwrapped toy or makes a cash donation of $2 or more that night will receive free admission and a free program.

RACING ON THE AIR
Nov. 22 'Racehorse Digest' 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 23 'Racehorse Digest' 3:00-3:30 a.m., ESPN
Nov. 25 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m., ESPN
Nov. 26 Hollywood Derby, Matriarch, Citation Stakes, Hollywood Park, 5:30-6:30 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 29 'Racehorse Digest' 5:00-5:30 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 1 'Racehorse Digest' 1:30-2:00 a.m., ESPN
Dec. 2 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m., ESPN
Dec. 2 My Charmer Handicap, Calder, On Trust Handicap, Hollywood, Heavenly Cause Stakes, Laurel 5:50-6:00 p.m., ESPN2

RACING TO HISTORY
Nov. 22, 1990: Jockey Pat Day marked his 5,000th career winner when he rode Screen Prospect to victory in the Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs. Day was the twelfth rider in history to hit 5,000.

Nov. 24, 1906: Hall of Fame trainer H.A. 'Jimmy' Jones, was born in Parnell, Mo. Jones is best-known as the conditioner of such great racehorses as Citation, Iron Leige and Tim Tam.

Nov. 26, 1946: American Air Lines transported six horses from Shannon Airport, Eire, Ireland, to Newark, N.J., completing the first trans-Atlantic flight for Thoroughbreds. The plane arrived in the U. S. on Nov. 27.

Nov. 26, 1992: Sandy Hawley became the ninth North American rider to win 6,000 races. His record victory came aboard Summer Commander in the second race at Greenwood Racecourse.

Nov. 28, 1982: The brilliant Landaluce, who won her five lifetime starts by a total of 46 1-2 lengths, died of a viral infection. She was buried in the infield at Hollywood Park, where she had won her first two races. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Landaluce was later voted champion two-year-old filly of 1982 over another undefeated filly, Princess Rooney.

Nov. 30, 1989: Jockey Kent Desormeaux surpassed Chris McCarron's 15- year record for most number of victories in a single season when he rode his 547th winner for the year at Laurel Racecourse.

Dec. 1, 1962: Ten thousand fans attended a ceremony at Tropical Park in honor of Carry Back's retirement. By Saggy out of Joppy, Carry Back was known as 'the people's horse.' He retired after 55 starts and earnings of more than $1 million.

Dec. 1, 1982: In the first race to feature mother and daughter jockeys, Patti Barton rode against her daughter, Leah, at Latonia. Patti finished fifth aboard Tam's Angel while Leah was tenth on Diane's Ms. Lolly.

Dec. 2, 1936: The Fair Grounds, New Orleans, La., licensed its first female trainer, Miss Meryl Eckhardt of Flint, Mich.

Dec. 7, 1957: A two-year-old colt named Silky Sullivan won the one- mile Golden Gate Futurity after making up 27 lengths, establishing a running style that became legendary. Horsemen still invoke the name of Silky Sullivan when referring to a horse that runs from far off the pace.

Dec. 7, 1991: Jockey Pat Day set the record for most number of stakes wins in a single season, 60, when he rode Blissful Union to victory in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds.

WEEKEND STAKES
The holiday weekend features HolidayFest at Aqueduct on Saturday while Hollywood Park offers six major turf races as part of schedule of 14 graded races throughout North America.

FRIDAY
Anne Arundel Stakes, 3yo fillies, $75,000, 1 1/8M, Laurel
Clark Stakes, 3&up;, $200,000, 1 1/8M, Grade III, Churchill
Hollywood Turf Express, 3&up;, $200,000, 5 1/2F (T), Grade III, Hollywood
Miesque Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 1M (T), Grade III, Hollywood
Top Flight Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $150,000, 1M, Grade I, Aqueduct

SATURDAY
Demoiselle Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 1 1/8M, Grade II, Aqueduct
Remsen Stakes, 2yo, $200,000, 1 1/8M, Grade II, Aqueduct
NYRA Mile, 3&up;, $250,000, 1M, Grade I, Aqueduct
Annapolis Stakes, 3yo, $75,000, 1 1/8M, Laurel
Citation Handicap, 3&up;, $300,000, 1 1/8M (T), Grade II, Hollywood
Generous Stakes, 2yo, $250,000, 1M (T), Grade III, Hollywood
Golden Rod Stakes, 2yo, $150,000, 1 1/16M, Grade III, Churchill
Jammed Lovely Stakes, 3yo fillies, $75,000, 7F, Grade IIIC, Woodbine
Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, 2yo, $150,000, 1 1/16M, Grade III, Churchill
Tropical Turf Handicap, 3&up;, $100,000, 1 1/8M (T), Grade III, Calder

SUNDAY
Hollywood Derby, 3yo, $400,000, 1 1/8M (T), Grade I, Hollywood
Matriarch Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $700,000, 1 1/4M (T), Grade I, Hollywood
Ontario Lassie Stakes, 2yo fillies, $75,000, 1 1/16M, Grade IIIC, Woodbine

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