News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Inc. (TRC) (212.371.5911..)
MORE THAN $390 MILLION WAGERED ON JAPAN CUP
A record crowd of 180,760 fans wagered a staggering $390 million on
Sunday's 15th running of the Japan Cup. The handle eclipsed last
year's handle of $58 million. Comparatively, a crowd of 144,110 fans
wagered $7,245,612 on this year's Kentucky Derby, the second-largest
attendance and handle in the Derby's history. The race, currently
the world's richest with a purse of $3.2 million, was won by the
German horse Lando, ending a three-year Japanese domination in the
race.
BAILEY BREAKS EARNINGS RECORD
With a win aboard Duda in the $700,000 Matriarch Stakes, jockey
Jerry Bailey broke the single-year earnings record for a jockey.
Through Sunday, Bailey has posted earnings of $16,156,711, according
to Equibase statistics. The previous single-year earnings record was
set in 1994 by Mike Smith when he won $15,979,820.
'I realize the record won't last very long, but it's nice to savor the moment,' said Bailey. 'Maybe this will be the thing that helps me get the Eclipse Award.'
TOP MARES BOOK TO DERBY WINNER THUNDER GULCH
Thunder Gulch, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes
and Travers Stakes, among others, will be bred to some outstanding
broodmares in 1996. Among the American-based mares who are booked to
stallion are 1986 Horse of the Year Lady's Secret; Gana Facil, the
dam of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled; and 1994 Broodmare of
the Year Fall Aspen, whose offspring include Timber Country. Thunder
Gulch is also booked to two European Champions, Lyric Fantasy and
Lemon Souffle. Thunder Gulch will stand the 1996 breeding season at
Ashford Stud, Versailles, Ky.
INDIANA RACING COMMISSION ALLOTS MORE 1996 THOROUGHBRED DATES
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission decreased the number of racing
dates for Standardbreds and increased the number of dates for
Thoroughbred racing at Hoosier Park, the state's only parimutuel
racetrack. Despite the objections from Standardbred interests, the
Commission approved a 24-day decrease in the number of harness racing
dates and increased the Thoroughbred meet to 53 days, up from 42 in
1995. Purses at the track for both breeds will be increased next
year.
KENTUCKY HORSE PARK AGLOW WITH SOUTHERN LIGHTS
The new and improved Southern Lights, a holiday lights show at the
Kentucky Horse Park, has added the state's largest outdoor laser show
to the event. Included in the festival are scenes which depict
Kentucky's rich Thoroughbred tradition. Visitors to the Horse Park
will see a new exhibit featuring Keeneland's starting gate, as well
as a replica in lights of the Churchill Downs' grandstand, complete
with Twin Spires, an animated field of Thoroughbreds racing for the
finish line and a cheering crowd. The lights in the display are on a
timed sequence to create a "moving" image. There will also be scenes
with a mare and foal, jockeys on horseback with trumpets, a groom
caring for a Thoroughbred, a jumping horse and polo players.
Visitors will also view traditional holiday scenes, such as a Southern belle greeting her holiday guests, an elves' workshop, a gingerbread house, toy soldiers, and a boulevard lined with silhouette candles and poinsettia blooms, and of course, jolly old St. Nick.
In addition to the more than one million lights which comprise the light show, visitors can also see displays of miniature trains, the famed Calumet Farm trophy collection and holiday crafts at the Park's Visitor Information Center. More than 120,000 people saw Southern Lights last year and even more are anticipated at this year's event.
Southern Lights opened Friday, Nov. 24 and runs nightly from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. through Dec. 31. Tickets are $10 per personal vehicle and may be purchased at the gate or at any Fayette County National City Bank location.
COURT RULES CALDER CAN GET HEARING ON FULL-CARD SIMULCASTING
The Third District Court in Miami ruled Wednesday, Nov. 29, that the
Florida Division of Parimutuel Wagering must grant Calder Race Course
the administrative hearing it requested to resolve the on-going
dispute concerning full-card simulcasting. When Calder first applied
for full-card simulcasting in June, the state agency denied the
request. Calder then applied for an administrative hearing from the
state, which was also denied. In October, the state granted a 90-day
simulcasting experiment, which is due to expire on Dec. 29. The
court ruled the state could not deny Calder's request for an
administrative hearing, even though it later allowed the track to
simulcast. The court's written decision stated 'We reverse and
remand instructing the Division to hold a formal administrative
hearing in order to ensure the generation of a proper record, as well
as responsible agency decision making and policy making.'
SUFFOLK DOWNS ADDS DAYS TO FALL MEET
Pending the approval of the Massachusetts State Racing Commission,
Suffolk Downs, East Boston, Mass., will extend its fall meet by four
days to bring the total number of racing days for 1995 to 159. The
track will race on Sunday, Dec. 17, Monday, Dec. 18, Wednesday, Dec.
20 and Saturday, Dec. 23. The track had originally planned a break
from December 16 to 27. The additional four days of racing will mean
an extra $320,000 in purses.
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.
HOMEISTER HONORED BY MARCH OF DIMES
Jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr. was honored by the New Jersey March of
Dimes as the organization's Horse Racing Jockey of the Year.
Homeister was honored at the organization's annual Robert E. Harris
March of Dimes Sports Award Banquet on Monday, Nov. 27.
RACING ON THE AIR
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
Dec. 6 'Racehorse Digest' 5:00-5:30 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 8 'Racehorse Digest' 1:30-2:00 a.m., ESPN
Dec. 9 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m., ESPN
Dec. 10 Hollywood Turf Cup, Hollywood, TBA, Philadelphia Park,
Winning Colors Stakes, Turfway, 6:30-7:00 p.m., ESPN2
RACING TO HISTORY
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.
Dec. 10, 1977: In his second year of riding, Steve Cauthen became the first jockey to win $6 million in a single season when he rode a three-year-old filly, Little Happiness, to victory in the sixth race at Aqueduct. Cauthen was dubbed 'The Six Million Dollar Man,' and 'Stevie Wonder' by his admirers and was named 1977 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, the Associated Press and The Sporting News. He also received three Eclipse Awards, being voted an award of merit in addition to earning top honors as both a journeyman and apprentice jockey.
Dec. 11, 1983: John Henry became the first racehorse to surpass $4 million in career earnings when he won the Hollywood Turf Cup with jockey Chris McCarron at Hollywood Park.
WEEKEND STAKES
SATURDAY
My Charmer Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles (Turf), Calder
Alice Springs, who hasn't won since May 6, heads a field of 13. The
five-year-old has been racing with the best, with four races of her
five-race losing streak being the Grade I Caesars International
(third), The Grade I Beverly D Stakes (second), the Grade II E.P.
Taylor Stakes (fourth) and the Grade I Breeders' Cup Turf (seventh).
She won three straight in Florida earlier this year, all at Hialeah
Park. Trainer Christophe Clement will send out a pair of runners, Cox
Orange and Danish (IRE). Cox Orange alos was successful in the
spring in Florida, winning her last race April 2. Danish (IRE) had
run second five straight times before a 10th in the E.P. Taylor.
Rounding out the field are: Majestic Dy, winner of the Francis A.
Genter Breeders' Cup Handicap; Mia's Hope; Irving's Girl;
Putthepowdertoit; Romy; Tambien Me Voy, an allowance winner of her
last start; Liberada; Tee Kay; Due Bill; and Narhen C.
SUNDAY
Bayakoa Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Hollywood
Urbane, who has never been worse than third in eight career starts,
will be a big favorite. The three-year-old won the Grade I Ashland
Stakes at Keeneland, April 22, and then ran second in the Kentucky
Oaks on May 5. She took time off due to an injury, coming back with
an eight-length triumph in the Oct. 14 Maryland Million Oaks. She'll
probably face Klassy Kim, winner of the California Cup Distaff, Twice
the Vice, Pirate's Revenge and Ashtabula.
The Running Horse (https://www.webcom.com/~alauck/)