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

HORSE OF THE YEAR CIGAR TO MISS GOLD CUP
Cigar will not be smoking in the Hollywood Gold Cup it was announced Tuesday. A bruise on Cigar's right front hoof will preclude the champion from defending his 1995 title in the $1 million race. Cigar has not resumed training following his win in the Massachusetts Handicap June 1. Cigar had been scheduled to attempt to tie Citation's modern-day North American record of 16 consecutive wins in the Gold Cup.

According to trainer Bill Mott, 'We're running out of time now. He haven't had him back on the track. It's nine days now. We feel he's doing better but he's progressing slower than we hoped. He will be back. It's one of those things, he'll be fine. But you're delaying your training schedule and you can't have too many delays when you're going for this type of race, For every day you lose, it takes two days to make it up. We don't mind time between races but you've got to be training in between.'

BREEDERS' CUP CHAMPIONSHIP DAY TO REMAIN AT WOODBINE FOR '96
On June 10, after several days of negotiations, the previously announced relocation of the Breeders' Cup Championship Day of racing, scheduled for Oct. 26 at Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto, Canada, was rescinded. The event will remain in Canada, now that Breeders' Cup officials have received written assurances from various governmental, labor and racing organizations that the championship day will not by disrupted by strikes, which had been planned by the Ontario Federation of Labour for Oct. 25-26 in Toronto, or by a protracted labor dispute between the Ontario Jockey Club, which operates Woodbine, and its mutuel clerks.

'We have now received letters of assurance from the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Labour, Service Employees International Union (Local 528) and the Ontario Jockey Club, verifying that the dispute between the OJC and the parimutuel clerks has been settled,' said James E. Bassett III, president of Breeders' Cup Ltd. 'Furthermore, we have promises from all parties that neither the Breeders' Cup, nor any of the venues, locations, or services related to it, will be targeted for labor action during the time the Championship is scheduled. Therefore, we are delighted to announce that the 1996 Breeders' Cup Championship will be run at Woodbine as planned.

'We want to thank those who were involved during the past few days in working out the settlement necessary to ensure that we could proceed,' Bassett continued. 'We also wish to take this opportunity to thank the management of those racetracks which readily and enthusiastically offered assistance should a move have been necessary. Those tracks were Arlington International, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Laurel, The Meadowlands, Monmouth Park and Oak Tree at Santa Anita, as well as Keeneland, which graciously offered to give up the final Saturday of its fall meeting to accommodate a move to Kentucky.'

According to George Hendrie, chairman of the Ontario Jockey Club, 'the OJC is overjoyed that the Breeders' Cup have seen fit to reinstate the 1996 championship at Woodbine Racetrack.'

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER LOOKS AT 'HORSE POWER'
Boyd Matson, the host of 'National Geographic Explorer,' was at Churchill Downs to film the introduction to a new show for the series. Entitled 'Horse Power,' the show will feature three horse-related stories. The first segment will be a feature on the wild horses of Southern Africa, followed by a story on jockey-turned-mystery-writer Dick Francis. The show will conclude with a piece on zebras.

'Horse Power' will air Sunday, July 14 at 9:00 p.m. EDT on the TBS network.

DELAWARE PARK'S SUCCESS SUBJECT OF CNN BUSINESS SEGMENT
The recent success of Delaware Park's slots casino will be the subject of a profile on CNN's 'Moneyline,' to be aired Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. (EDT). CNN Business correspondent Allan Dodds Frank will examine the impact slot machines have had on business at the Wilmington, Del., racetrack.

Delaware Park opened the slots casino last Dec. 29 following legislation to save the financially troubled racetrack. The legislation was created to give Delaware Park and two local harness racetracks the opportunity to compete on a level playing field with neighboring states. Since the addition of the slot machines, the track has seen its business grow by leaps and bounds.

INCOME TAX DEDUCTION RESTORED FOR HORSE OWNERS
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell announced Wednesday, June 12 that the Senate Finance Committee had approved his request to preserve the federal income tax expense deduction for horses. Earlier this year the House of Representative passed a tax bill, the Small Business Job Protection Act, which repealed the expense deduction for horses, although similar write-offs remained available to other types of livestock. McConnell and several key senators petitioned the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Bill Roth, to protect the horse industry from the house repeal. Roth preserved the horse deduction in his 'chairman's mark,' and the provision survived Wednesday's markup in the Finance Committee.

HORSE OWNER MAKES OFFER ON NEBRASKA RACETRACK
Local fast-food restaurateur and Thoroughbred owner Don Everett has offered to buy AKsarben Racetrack in Omaha, Neb., for $30 million in order to restore live racing. The proposal, submitted to the Douglas County Board, which owns the track, would leave nearly 68 acres of the property for a high-tech, industry education complex that would be developed with First Data Resources of Omaha and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Since Nebraska law prohibits the private ownership of racetracks, a non-profit group of owners and breeders would seek a license from the Nebraska Racing Commission to operate the track for Everett.

First Data, the world's largest processor of credit card transactions for banks and other lenders, had proposed a plan for using the county-owned land at AKsarben, which did not include the continuation of live racing. First Data maintains that Everett's offer does not allow enough space for an education center.

SURGERY FOR JOCKEY STEVENS
The nation's second-leading jockey, Gary Stevens, underwent surgery on June 12 at Centinela Hospital to repair an injury to his left shoulder. The two-hour operation was deemed 'very successful' by a spokesman for Hollywood Park, the racetrack at which Stevens would normally be riding. Stevens was scheduled to be released Thursday, June 13. His recuperation is expected to take between three to six months.

According to Dr. James Tibone of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Stevens was suffering from a subluxing-dislocating left shoulder, which impaired his ability to raise his arm.

STEVEN SEGAL MOVIE TO BE SHOT AT CHURCHILL
Film crews will take to the track on June 22, when establishing scenes for an upcoming movie starring Steven Segal movie are shot at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky. Although filming will be held throughout the day, Segal will not be on hand. He is expected to be on location at the historic track when filming continues in September. Although no extras will be needed for this preliminary filming, casting directors will be on the grounds to scout for potential extras for the September shoot.

EMERALD DOWNS SET TO OPEN JUNE 20
June 20 will mark the grand opening of Emerald Downs in Auburn, just south of Seattle, Wash. The inaugural live meeting will consist of 100 race days, with closing day Nov. 4. The grand opening signals the return of live racing to western Washington after the closing of Longacres on Sept. 21, 1992. Emerald is located eight miles away from Longacres, which opened in 1933.

To showcase its new facility, Emerald has planned a wide array of opening-day events. Equine artist Fred Stone will be present to sign posters of his work, 'The Inaugural Running,' created especially for the occasion. Jay Cohen, bugler at Santa Anita Park, will call the horses onto the track and Ann Wilson of the rock group Heart, will sing the National Anthem.

The opening will give fans their first chance to hear race calls from Emerald's track announcer, Robert Geller, a native of England who calls races in English in Hong Kong at Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racecourses.

Jockeys Gary Stevens and Russell Baze, both of whom are former Longacres riders, are expected to be in attendance on opening day. The track expects 'a crowd of around 25,000,' according to Matt Massey, head of media relations at Emerald. The racing community was eager for a return of live racing; tickets for opening day are sold out.

CONTENTS OF MIAMI TIME CAPSULE TO INCLUDE RACING MEMORABILIA
To make certain that future generations of Floridians remember Cigar's importance to the sports world, a pair of the champion's silks and other mementos will be placed in a time capsule and buried in Miami's Bicentennial Park on July 28. The red, white and blue silks, with a distinct Americana theme, were donated by Cigar's owner, Allen Paulson, and will be on display during the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's Conference at Turnberry Resort and Country Club, June 14-16. Among the items to be placed in the capsule are photos of Cigar's victories at Gulfstream Park, an official Gulfstream Park program from the 1996 Donn Handicap, a Gulfstream media guide, a Florida Derby program and a commemorative saddlecloth.

The time capsule, part of Miami's 100th birthday celebration, will be buried near the (Space Shuttle) Challenger Memorial. It is slated to be unearthed in the year 2096.

RACING ON THE AIR

RACING TO HISTORY

June 13, 1874: English-bred Saxon became the first foreign bred horse to win the Belmont Stakes.

June 13, 1961: Ben A. Jones, who trained a record six Kentucky Derby winners, died.

June 13, 1992: Angel Cordero Jr. won his first race in two tries as a trainer, with Puchinito, in the fourth race at Belmont Park.

June 14, 1880: The first post parade of horses in any American race took place prior to the running of the Belmont Stakes. Horses had previously gone directly from paddock to post.

June 14, 1967: Jockey Craig Perret, age 16, won his first career race at Arlington Park. Despite starting well into the season, Perret finished the year third among the nation's apprentice riders in races won (with 114) and led all apprentices in the earnings category, with $610,003.

June 14, 1978: D. Wayne Lukas established his reputation as a trainer of two-year-old fillies when he sent Terlingua to victory in her first race ever, the Nursery Stakes at Hollywood Park. Owned by Texans Barry Beal and Lloyd French Jr., Terlingua subsequently won three additional consecutive races.

June 15, 1963: Five weeks prior to his 89th birthday, Hall of Fame trainer 'Sunny Jim' Fitzsimmons announced his retirement. 'Mr. Fitz, ' as he was also known, trained such outstanding runners as Nashua, Bold Ruler, Johnstown and Triple Crown winners Gallant Fox and his son Omaha.

June 15, 1972: In preparation for his July 4 debut, Secretariat worked five furlongs from the starting gate in 1:00 1-5.

June 15, 1977: Future rivals Affirmed and Alydar met for the first time, in the Youthful Stakes at Belmont Park. Affirmed triumphed over Alydar, who finished fifth, and went on to win four of their six races together in 1977.

June 17, 1967: Buckpasser's 15-race winning streak ended when he finished third to stablemate Poker in the Bowling Green Handicap at Aqueduct, his only attempt at turf racing. Buckpasser carried 135 pounds while Poker was assigned 112.

June 19, 1867: The inaugural Belmont Stakes was run at Jerome Park in the Bronx and was won by a filly, Ruthless, who defeated colts to earn $1,850 for her victory. Ruthless was one of a group of fillies known as the "Barbarous Battalion," daughters of the mare Barbarity, owned by Francis Morris of New York. The other 'battalion' members-- all full sisters--were Remorseless, Relentless, Regardless and Merciless.

June 18, 1936: Omaha, the 1935 Triple Crown winner owned by New York banker William Woodward, lost the 2 1-2-mile Ascot Gold Cup by a head to filly Quashed at Ascot, England. A crowd of 200,000 was said to be present for the race, for which Omaha was the 11-8 favorite. Omaha had shipped to England aboard the Aquitania on Jan. 8, 1936 and won the May 30 Queens Plate at Kempton Park, England.

June 19, 1942: Count Fleet won his first race, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

June 19, 1973: Officials of Arlington Park invited Secretariat to compete in a specially created race, the $125,000 Arlington Invitational Stakes.

June 19, 1992: Charlie Whittingham became the second trainer in history, behind D. Wayne Lukas, to top $100 million in purse earnings when he sent Little by Little to a second-place finish in the sixth race at Hollywood Park.

June 20, 1908: With his final victory in the Tidal Stakes at Sheepshead Bay, Colin retired undefeated after 15 starts. No major American racehorse approached this record until 1988, when Personal Ensign retired with a perfect 13-for-13 career.

June 21, 1924: Exterminator, winner of the 1918 Kentucky Derby, concluded his seven-year racing career. Exterminator raced until he was nine, winning 50 of his 100 starts. He seldom carried less than 130 pounds in handicap races. Like other geldings Kelso, Forego, and John Henry, Exterminator improved with age, enjoying his greatest success when he was seven.

June 21, 1947: Assault won the Brooklyn Handicap and dethroned Whirlaway as the then money-winning champion of the world. The victory boosted his earnings to $576,670.

June 22, 1935: Seabiscuit won his first race, at Narragansett Park.

June 23, 1985: With a victory aboard Greinton in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Laffit Pincay Jr. became the second jockey in history to surpass $100 million in purse earnings.

Brooklyn Handicap, 3&up;, $300,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Belmont Wekiva Springs should be favored to get back on the winning track in the Brooklyn after running second and fourth in the Grade I Oaklawn and Pimlico Special Handicaps. Trained by Bill Mott, the gray horse has a victory in the Grade I Gulfstream Park Handicap to his credit this year. In February, Wekiva Springs chased his super stablemate Cigar home in the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream.

Eatontown Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $75,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade III, Monmouth

Estrapade Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-2 Miles Turf, Hollywood

Stephen Foster Stakes, 3&up;, $150,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Churchill

Shoemaker Breeder's Cup Mile, 3&up;, $700,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade II, Hollywood
Fastness (IRE) has lived up to his name in California over the past year, setting the course record for 1 1-8 miles on the turf at Hollywood winning the Grade II Citation Handicap last November. His other California triumphs have included the Grade I Eddie Read Handicap and the Grade III Inglewood Handicap. Fastness (IRE) is headed back to the Breeders' Cup Mile, a race in which he was beaten last year by Ridgewood Pearl (GB) over the soft turf at Belmont. Fastness (IRE) will face a challenge from a well rested Romarin (BRZ), winner of last year's Grade II Early Times Turf Classic. He has been out since March 3 recovering from surgery to correct a throat ulcer.

Dogwood Stakes, 3yo fillies, $75,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Churchill

Golden Gate Handicap, 3&up;, $200,000, 1 3-8 Miles Turf, Grade II, Golden Gate

Hill Prince Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade III, Belmont

New Hampshire Sweepstakes, 3&up;, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade III, Rockingham

Princess Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Hollywood

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