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

SALUTE TO JOCKEY JERRY BAILEY AT SUFFOLK DOWNS NEXT FRIDAY
Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, winner of this years's Kentucky Derby, will be honored Friday, May 31, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Mass. Bailey, who will be aboard Horse of the Year Cigar the following afternoon in the Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk, will sign autographs and ride on the day's twilight card. The track will have commemorative photos of Bailey and Cigar available to the public for a donation to the Jockey's Guild's Disabled Jockeys Fund. The 38-year-old Bailey began his riding career in New Mexico in 1974 and relocated to New York in 1982. He has won the Kentucky Derby twice, in 1993 aboard Sea Hero and this year on Grindstone. He has also won the $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic four times, including the last three with Arcangues, Concern and Cigar.

HOCKEY PLAYOFFS SPARKS RACETRACK RIVALRY
When racing fans at Philadelphia Park turned to the track's monitors to watch a simulcast from Hialeah Park in South Florida, last Tuesday, they were treated to a Florida Panther's logo on the screen in anticipation of game six of the Panthers' series with the Philadelphia Flyers. Not to be outdone, Philadelphia Park's video patrol flashed 'Go Flyers' when it sent its signal back to Florida. Hialeah 'won' the battle later that night as the Panthers defeated the Flyers, 4-1, to take their Stanley Cup series.

LUKAS TO RECEIVE PIMLICO'S AWARD OF MERIT ON PREAKNESS EVE
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas will become the first horseman to receive the Special Award of Merit from Pimlico Racecourse, Friday, May 17. Initiated in 1989 to recognize outstanding achievements related to Thoroughbred racing, the Special Award of Merit has been presented to the likes of Jim McKay of ABC Sports, Joe Hirsch of 'Daily Racing Form' and Maryland State Senator Thomas V. Miller. 'Wayne's accomplishments in the Triple Crown races speak volumes,' noted Pimlico President and CEO Joseph De Francis on the selection of Lukas for the honor. The award will be presented to Lukas as part of the traditional Alibi Breakfast which will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Pimlico Dining Room. Also to be honored at the breakfast will be George Michael of WRC-TV in Washington, DC, as well as the nationally syndicated George Michael Sports Machine television show; and turf writer Dan Farley of the 'Racing Post,' each of whom will receive Old Hilltop Awards for excellence and distinction in covering Thoroughbred racing. New York Daily News turf writer Bill Finley will receive the David F. Woods Memorial Award, presented annually for the best Preakness story from the previous year, for his piece entitled 'Cool Hand Lukas.'

JOCKEY SAITO RIDES TO HELP LESS FORTUNATE
Jockey Scott Saito has pioneered a new program to support charities. Saito, who rides at Thistledown Racetrack in North Randall, Ohio, has pledged to donate $5 from every winning mount to the 'Make a Wish Foundation' and to the 'Western Pennsylvania Therapeutic Riding' program. Saito hopes his actions inspire others to do likewise. He is currently looking for individuals and corporations to match his generosity. Several Thistledown employees have already matched his pledges. The 32-year-old Saito was born in Tachikawa, Japan and moved to Seattle, Wash., at the age of four. His parents instilled in him a belief in giving something back to the community. Anyone wishing to donate to Saito's chosen causes or to match funds are encouraged to call Sheena Dee at (216) 662-8600, ext. 283.

CALDER TO UNDERWRITE 'FRONTLINE' and 'LEHRER NEWSHOUR' ON PBS
Beginning in July and continuing for the remainder of the year, Calder Race Course, Miami, Fla., will underwrite a number of programs on WPBT, the Miami PBS affiliate and WLRN, the Miami National Public Radio station. On a weekly basis, Calder will underwrite WPBT mainstays 'The Lehrer Newshour,' 'Frontline' and 'The McLaughlin Group.' On WLRN, Calder will fund 'Morning Edition' and 'All Things Considered' on a daily basis. 'With the ever-increasing consolidation of broadcast properties by mega-corporations, public radio and television have become an even more important source of independent journalism,' said Calder Marketing Director Mike Cronin. 'We at Calder are proud to support this uniquely American tradition.

KENTUCKY THOROUGHBLADES BECOME AHL FRANCHISE TEAM
Representatives of the San Jose Sharks announced the Kentucky Thoroughblades will be the team's minor league affiliate. The announcement was made May 16 in Lexington's Rupp Arena, where the Thoroughblades will play 40 home games beginning with the 1996-1997 season. The name Thoroughblades was culled from the more than 5,000 entries in the 'Name the Team' contest held in Central Kentucky Aug. 14 through Sept. 13. Sporting colors of blue spruce, plum and silver, the Thoroughblades logo features a powerful-looking Thoroughbred in a swift skating motion clutching a hockey stick.

FORMER JOCKEY MARY RUSS SELECTED 'WOMAN OF THE YEAR'
The Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women have selected former jockey Mary Russ as the group's 'Woman of the Year.' The 46-year-old Russ, a mother of three, will receive the group's Glass Ceiling Award on Saturday, June 8 at the Westin Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Former recipients of the award include Gwen Margolis, the first woman president of the Florida Senate, Rosemary Barkett, the first woman Florida Supreme Court Justice, and Attorney General Janet Reno. Russ, a Tampa, Fla., native, was the first woman jockey to win a Grade I race when she piloted Lord Darnley to victory in the Widener Handicap at Hialeah in 1982. Tickets to the event are $40 in advance and $55 at the door. For more information, call Jeanne Kolarik at (305) 434-9073 or Heidi Root at (305) 923-3402.

HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT FIRST PREAKNESS-WINNING JOCKEY
George Barbee, the jockey who was aboard the winner of the inaugural Preakness Stakes, Survivor in 1873, has been selected for induction into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Barbee, chosen by the Hall of Fame's Historical Review Committee, will be honored during the Aug. 5 ceremonies at the Museum along with current jockey Don Brumfield, trainer James P. Conway and horses Sunday Silence, Go for Wand and Sun Beau. Barbee won three Preakness Stakes in his career. He also won the Belmont Stakes and two Travers Stakes. Barbee's 10-length win aboard Survivor remains the largest margin of victory ever in the 120 runnings of the Preakness.

JOCKEY CLUB'S 1996 FACT BOOK RELEASED
The Jockey Club has released the 1996 edition of its annual statistical guide to the Thoroughbred industry, entitled, 'The Jockey Club Fact Book.' Summarizing current breeding, racing and public auction trends throughout the previous decade, the booklet is designed as a reference source for writers, publicists and speech- makers both within and outside the Thoroughbred industry. A reference section also lists locations and telephone numbers for all leading national and regional Thoroughbred-related organizations. Although the format of the 1996 Fact Book has been kept largely the same as in previous years, some information has been expanded and new statistics introduced. As before, facts and figures have been gathered from a number of sources, as well as from The Jockey Club's own data base of pedigree and racing information.

DERBY GLASS COLLECTION BRINGS $17,600
One of the most complete and extensive collections of Kentucky Derby glasses was sold for a record $17,600 as part of the Harry M. Stevens live auction held by Leland's Collectibles in Manhattan on May 11. The auction also included an extensive collection of horse racing artifacts, including a set of framed 1930's photographs from Pimlico and Hialeah which sold for $2,475 and a 1920's Saratoga Race Course seat molded in cast iron in the style of a sulky which brought $1,540. Ninety percent of the Harry M. Stevens collections sold for a total of $1.4 million.

RACING ON THE AIR

May 16 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 a.m., ESPN
May 18 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m., ESPN
May 18 Preakness Stakes, Pimlico 4:30-6:00 p.m., ABC
May 22 'Racehorse Digest' 4:40-5:00 p.m., ESPN
May 23 'Racehorse Digest' 2:30-3:00 a.m., ESPN
June 1 Massachusetts Handicap, Suffolk Downs, 4:00-5:00 p.m., ESPN

RACING TO HISTORY

May 16, 1882: Apollo was guided to victory by African American Babe Hurd in the eighth running of the Kentucky Derby, overtaking favored Runnymede in the final strides.

May 16, 1884: Buchanan became the first maiden to win the Kentucky Derby. Only two other maiden horses have gone on to win the Run For The Roses: Sir Barton in 1919, and Brokers Tip in 1933.

May 16, 1884: African American Isaac Murphy, considered one of the greatest race riders in American history won the first of his three Kentucky Derbies when he guided Buchanan to victory. The horse was trained by African American William Bird.

May 16, 1925: The first network radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby aired from WHAS in Louisville.

May 16, 1979: Gary Stevens rode his first career winner, named Lil Star, trained by his father, Ron Stevens, at Les Bois Park.

May 17, 1875: Aristides, a chestnut colt, won the inaugural Kentucky Derby, run at Churchill Downs on its opening day before an estimated 10,000 spectators. Aristides was ridden and trained by an African Americans, Oliver Lewis and Ansel Williamson, respectively.

May 17, 1881: James Rowe Sr., then age 24, became the youngest trainer to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner after Hindoo took the 7th Derby for his owners, brothers Phil and Mike Dwyer, both notorious gamblers. Hindoo, regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of his era, retired in 1882 with 30 wins, three seconds and two thirds in 35 starts.

May 17, 1930: Two-year-old Equipoise gave owner C.V. Whitney his first stakes victory when he captured the Keene Memorial Stakes at Belmont Park at odds of 3-5.

May 17, 1947: Seabiscuit, owned by Charles S. Howard, succumbed to a heart attack at Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, Calif. He was 14.

May 17, 1976: Sixteen-year-old Steve Cauthen rode his first winner, Thomas Bischoff-trained Red Pipe, in the eighth race at River Downs. By the end of his first year of apprenticeship, Cauthen had won 240 races from 1,170 mounts and $1.2 million in purses.

May 18, 1880: African American jockey George Jarret Lewis rode Fonso to victory in the sixth running of the Kentucky Derby.

May 18, 1931: Fifteen-year-old Eddie Arcaro rode his first race, finishing sixth, at Bainbridge Park, Ohio. At year's end, he remained winless after 36 tries.

May 18, 1985: Patricia Cooksey became the first female jockey to compete in the Preakness Stakes. Her mount, Tajawa, finished sixth in a field of 11.

May 18, 1991: Fourstars Allstar became the first American-bred horse to win an European classic, the Irish 2,000 Guineas, since 1881 when Iroquois won the Epsom Derby.

May 19, 1961: Jockey Bill Shoemaker notched his 4,000th career win aboard Guaranteeya at Hollywood Park.

May 19, 1964: Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. won his first race, aboard Huelen, riding at Presidente Remon in Panama.

May 19, 1973: Secretariat's winning performance in the Preakness Stakes was marred by a controversy over the timing of the race. The original teletimer time was 1:55 for the 1 3-16-mile race; Pimlico amended it to 1:54 2-5 two days later.

May 20, 1941: Seventeen days after his Kentucky Derby win and 10 days after his Preakness victory, Whirlaway raced against older horses for the first time. Carrying 108 pounds, Whirlaway defeated his four rivals in the Henry of Navarre Purse at Belmont Park.

May 20, 1916: In an unprecedented sweep, Mandarin, Gala Water and Gala Day finished first, second and third, respectively, in the King's Plate at Woodbine for their owner, distiller Joseph Emm Seagram. Three days later, Mandarin and Gala Water again finished one-two, this time in the Breeders' Stakes.

May 20, 1954: At odds of 13-1, Rex Ellsworth's two-year-old colt Swaps won his maiden race by three lengths at Hollywood Park.

May 20, 1973: Having won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Secretariat shipped from Pimlico to New York in preparation for the Belmont Stakes, final jewel in the Triple Crown.

May 20, 1977: Two-year-old John Henry won his first start ever, a 4- furlong maiden race at Jefferson Downs, by a nose. When he was retired in 1984, the gelding had 39 wins, 15 seconds and nine thirds from 83 starts, seven Eclipse Awards and earnings of $6,597,947, making him the second-leading money earner of all time.

May 21, 1978: John Henry made his first start for Dotsam Stable, winning a $25,000 claiming race at Aqueduct.

May 21, 1992: Jockey Gary Stevens hit his 3,000th winner in the fifth race at Hollywood Park, aboard Sharp Event.

May 22, 1877: African Americans Ed Brown, trainer, and jockey William Walker, teamed up to win the third running of the Kentucky Derby with Baden-Baden. After a 20-year career in the saddle, Walker retired to become a trainer and was considered an expert in Thoroughbred breeding and bloodlines.

May 22, 1974: Locust Hill Farm's Ruffian won her first start, a maiden race for two-year-old fillies, by 15 lengths at Belmont Park. Sent off at odds of 4-1, Ruffian completed the 5 1-2 furlongs in 1:03. She went on to tally nine additional consecutive wins before breaking down in a match race with Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure in the following year.

May 23, 1936: Rushaway, ridden by John Longden, won his second derby in as many days, taking the 1 1-4-mile Latonia Derby at Latonia. Rushaway had won the 1 1-8-mile Illinois Derby the previous day.

May 23, 1992: Jacinto Vasquez had his 5,000th career winner, aboard Susan Pixum, at Calder Racecourse.

May 23, 1992: Angel Cordero Jr. made his first start as a trainer, with Puchinito, who finished fifth in the fifth race at Belmont.

May 24, 1977: At odds of 13-1, Louis and Patrice Wolfson's two-year- old colt Affirmed won his maiden race by 4 1-2 lengths at Belmont Park, ridden by jockey Bernie Gonzalez.

May 25, 1853: England's first triple crown winner, West Australian, won the second jewel of the trio, the Epsom Derby.

May 26, 1991: Jockey Steve Cauthen won his fourth European derby, the Derby Italiano, with Hailsham, trained by Clive Brittain. Cauthen has also won the Epsom Derby twice, the Irish Derby and the French Derby, in addition to his Kentucky Derby win with Affirmed.

May 27, 1873: A bay colt, Survivor, won the first Preakness Stakes by 10 lengths, the largest margin in the race's history.

May 27, 1979: Jockey Chris McCarron, 24, won his 2,000th career race, aboard Stembok, in the second race at Hollywood Park.

May 27, 1981: Bill Shoemaker became the first jockey in racing history to win 8,000 races when he rode War Allied to victory in the first race at Hollywood Park.

May 27, 1985: Under strong urging from jockey Laffit Pincay Jr., odds-on favorite Spend a Buck defeated Creme Fraiche by a neck to win the Jersey Derby and earn $2.6 million, the largest single purse in American racing history. Two million dollars of the purse came from a bonus to Spend a Buck for winning the Cherry Hill Mile, the Garden State Stakes, the Kentucky Derby and the Jersey Derby. Angel Cordero Jr., the regular rider of Spend a Buck, was committed to ride Track Barron in the Metropolitan Handicap in New York on the same day and was persuaded to give up his mount in the Jersey Derby. Track Barron finished third in the Metropolitan, earning $40,620.

William Donald Schaefer Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 1/8M, Pimlico

Maryland Budweiser Breeders' Cup, 3&up, $200,000, 6F, Grade III, Pimlico

Pimlico Distaff Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $200,000, 1 1/8M, Grade III, Pimlico

Early Times Dixie Handicap, 3&up, $200,000, 1 1/8M (T), Grade II, Pimlico

Preakness Stakes, 3yo, $500,000, 1 3/16M, Grade I, Pimlico

Acorn Stakes, 3yo fillies, $150,000, 1M, Grade I, Belmont

Fury Stakes, 3yo fillies, $75,000, 7F, Grade IIC,

Woodbine Mint Julep Stakes, 4&up (f&m), $75,000, 1 1/16M (T), Churchill

Wilshire Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $125,000, 1 1/16M (T), Grade II, Hollywood

Yerba Buena Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, 1 3/8M (T), Grade III, Golden Gate

Jaipur Stakes, 3&up, $75,000, 7F (T), Grade III, Belmont

Queenston Stakes, 3yo, $75,000, 7F, Grade IIC, Woodbine

Thirty Slews Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 5 1/2F (T), Hollywood

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