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

REUNION OF NFL CHAMPIONS RAMS ON SATURDAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK
A reunion of at least 50 former NFL players, including many members of the Los Angeles Rams' 1951 NFL Championship team, will be staged Saturday, June 22 in the Ascot Room at Hollywood Park, Inglewood, Calif. Among those who will be on hand at the races that day are Deacon Dan Fowler, Tank Younger and Dick Hoerner, who comprised the Rams' famed Bull Elephant Backfield. Other former Rams who will be in attendance include Jon Arnett, Dick Bass, Woodley Lewis, George Strugar and Del Shofner.

ARLINGTON LETS ALL FANS BE AN 'OWNER FOR THE DAY'
Arlington International Racecourse will let every racing fan experience the thrill of owning a Thoroughbred racehorse on Saturday, June 29 at the Arlington Heights, Ill., racetrack. Arlington, in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) is presenting 'Owner for a Day.' Everyone attending the races on June 29 will receive a card that identifies one of the horses running at Arlington that day. The 'Owners' of the winning horse will receive a special prize from the track.

This fantasy ownership promotion is part of a larger program designed to promote the sport and introduce people to the thrill of horse ownership. ''Owner for a Day' is a way to introduce people to the excitement of Thoroughbred racing, and the rewards of owning a horse,' said Arlington CEO Scott Mordell. 'With the support of TOBA and ITHA, we have developed a comprehensive promotional program that will entertain and educate, and we believe it will allow people to see, learn and enjoy what the other side of horse racing, ownership, is all about.'

Owner for a Day begins at 7:30 a.m. with a special breakfast program hosted by track announcer Michael Wrona and Christine Miller. At 8:30 a live interview with local horse owners will take place, followed by a question and answer period. TOBA will present a special seminar on horse ownership from 10:00 a.m. to noon. There will also be booths set up in the grandstand featuring industry representatives to answer questions. For additional information, contact Arlington at (847) 255-4300, extension 7792.

CALDER TO ASSIST HORSE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA
Calder Race Course has donated $5,000 to the Horse Protection Association of Florida. An article in the June 18 edition of the Miami Herald revealed that the organization, the only one that cares for abandoned and lost horses in Dade County, is now out of money. Association President Morgan Silver confirmed his group is 'totally out of money.'

'I was unaware that this organization existed until I read the article in the paper,' said Ken Dunn, president of Calder Race Course. 'This is something that is very close to our business and I felt that we should help out.'

Donations to the Horse Protection Association of Florida can be sent to 4510 SW 62nd Ave., Miami, FL 33155

HALF-MILLION DOLLARS-PLUS TO FUND EQUINE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Fifteen research projects conducted at 10 universities have been selected by the board of directors of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation to be funded in the fiscal year 1996-1997. Total cost of the projects is $572,541, marking the third consecutive year that the Foundation has funded more than a half-million dollars in research. In addition, the board has earmarked additional funding during the fiscal year specifically for research on Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, a debilitating disease that attacks the horse's central nervous system.

'This year's slate of projects again addresses a variety of problems and scientific challenges,' said Edward Bowen, president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. 'There are several projects specifically involved with racetrack safety and treating injury, plus projects continuing the long battle against laminitis, as well as work aimed at furthering immunology. Most of this work can benefit horses of any breed or activity.'

The 15 projects were chosen from among 70 applications. A committee of 25 veterinarians in university research and private practice evaluated the requests for grants. The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Board, chaired by John Hettinger and Henry White, gave final approval to the 15 projects.

The Grayson-Jockey Club is the world's largest private funder of equine medical research.

CHURCHILL'S JULIAN 'BUCK' WHEAT TO RECEIVE T.E.A.M. AWARD
Churchill Downs' Director of Horsemen's Relations, Julian 'Buck' Wheat, was recently named a recipient of the 1996 Tourism Excellence Awards of Merit (T.E.A.M. Award) from the Louisville and Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The award annually honors exceptional front-line employees in the travel and tourism industry. Wheat will be honored in a special awards dinner scheduled for Sept. 19.

Wheat, who brings more than 40 years of Thoroughbred racing experience to his job, serves as an invaluable link between racing fans and horsemen. Nicknamed 'The Mayor of the Backside,' Wheat has provided tours of Churchill Downs to groups ranging from the Russian Ambassador to the United States to local school children.

RACING ON THE AIR

RACING TO HISTORY

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.

June 24, 1952: Jockey Eddie Arcaro rode his 3,000th career winner at Arlington Park.

June 24, 1972: In the fastest workout of the day for six furlongs, Secretariat went the distance in 1:12 4-5 at Belmont over a sloppy track. He would make his debut 10 days later, in a July 4 race for maiden runners at Aqueduct.

June 24, 1973: Charlie Whittingham swept the top three spots in the Hollywood Gold Cup Invitational Handicap when his trainees Kennedy Road, Quack and Cougar II finished first, second and third, respectively.

June 24, 1977: Alydar, at odds of 2.10-1, broke his maiden by 6 3-4 lengths at Belmont Park.

June 24, 1979: Affirmed, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., became the first horse to top $2 million in earnings after he won the Hollywood Gold Cup.

June 24, 1990: Criminal Type became the first horse to win consecutive $1 million races after capturing the Hollywood Gold Cup. He had previously won the $1 million Pimlico Special on May 12.

June 25, 1980: The 11 African American jockeys who rode a total of 15 Kentucky Derbies between 1875 and 1902, were honored by the NAACP and the Lincoln Foundation. A plaque commemorating the occasion is now in the Kentucky Derby Museum's collection.

June 26, 1938: Nearco ended his career a perfect 14-for-14 by winning the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

June 26, 1986: Jockey Sandy Hawley won his 5,000th career race, aboard Mighty Massa, at Canterbury Downs.

June 26, 1992: Jockey Dave Gall became the eighth rider in history to ride 6,000 winners when he rode Nana's Nice Boy to victory at Fairmount Park.

June 27, 1932: Calumet Farm recorded its first victory in a Thoroughbred race with two-year-old Warren Jr., who won by a nose at Arlington Park to earn $850.

June 27, 1986: Jockey Kent Desormeaux rode in his first race ever, finishing third aboard a $2,500 claimer named Ducknest Coal Mine, at odds of 35-1, in the second race at Evangeline Downs.

June 28, 1977: Steve Cauthen, on his first day as a journeyman jockey, won with his first three mounts at Belmont Park.

June 28, 1989: Arlington International Racecourse opened in Arlington Heights, Ill. It had been rebuilt after a fire destroyed the old facility, July 31, 1985.

June 29, 1968: Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye won his first race, at Evangeline Downs, aboard Brown Shill.

June 29, 1968: Gamely, Princessnesian and Desert Law -- all owned by William Haggin Perry and trained by Jim Maloney -- finished 1, 1A and 1B, respectively, in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park.

June 29, 1969: Jockey Ray Sibille won his first career race, at Evangeline Downs.

June 29, 1983: Jockey Angel Cordero Jr. won his 5,000th career race, aboard Another Rodger, in the ninth race at Belmont Park. He was the fourth rider in history, behind John Longden, Bill Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay Jr., to hit that mark.

June 30, 1973: Three weeks after he won the Triple Crown, Secretariat scored another victory, a nine-length win in the Arlington Invitational Stakes at Arlington Park, where he was sent off at the shortest odds in his career, 1-20. With no place or show wagering on the four-horse race, which was run with a three-horse field against Secretariat, the track had a minus win pool of $17,941. More than 40,000 spectators turned out for the event.

June 30, 1978: Spectacular Bid won his first race, at Pimlico, by 3 1-4 lengths.

June 30, 1990: Retired jockey Bill Shoemaker won his first race as a trainer, sending two-year-old filly Tempest Cloud to her maiden victory at Hollywood Park.

June 30, 1991: One year after his first victory as a trainer, Bill Shoemaker recorded his first Grade I win, with Alcando in the Beverly Hills Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Caesars International Handicap, 3&up;, $500,000, 1 3-16 Miles Turf, Grade I, Atlantic City
Eclipse Award winner Northern Spur (IRE) looks to dethrone defending champion Sandpit (BRZ) in the Caesar's International. The two have traded decisions since October with Northern Spur (IRE) beating Sandpit (BRZ) in the Oak Tree Invitational and Sandpit taking the Hollywood Turf Handicap. Their strongest rival may be Diplomatic Jet, coming back off a two week rest after scoring in the Early Times Manhattan Handicap at Belmont.

Mother Goose Stakes, 3yo fillies, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Belmont
Leading trainer Bill Mott sends out Escena after her impressive victory in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park and narrow defeat in the Kentucky Oaks. Mesabi Maiden comes back for Shug McGaughey off her victory in the Black Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico while D. Wayne Lukas will be represented by the speedy filly Cara Rafaela, who is winless this year but was nosed out at the wire in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last year at Belmont.

Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $175,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade I, Hollywood
Twice the Vice heads a deep field of older fillies and mares, looking for her third straight after taking the Santa Margarita Handicap in March at Santa Anita and the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn in April. Borodislew looks to challenge for the division lead after rallying to win the Hawthorne Handicap last out at Hollywood. Jewel Princess lost the photo to Borodislew but beat the absent Serena's Song at Churchill. Urbane also was in that photo, showing signs she is returning to the good form she showed at age three before being sidelined.

Ohio Derby, 3yo, $300,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Thistledown
The Ohio Derby does not usually attract horses who ran in all three Triple Crown races but Sonny Hine has decided to run Skip Away, owned by his wife, in Thistledown's premier race. Skip Away warmed up for the Triple Crown by setting a track record in winning Keeneland's the Blue Grass Stakes. He disappointed in the Kentucky Derby but ran well to be second in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Victory Speech is another Triple Crown veteran, finishing up the track in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and will try and add the Ohio Derby to the lengthy list of D. Wayne Lukas' accomplishments. The top horse in the field not to run in the Triple Crown is Storm Creek, winner of the Sheridan Stakes at Arlington.

Aristides Stakes, 3&up;, $100,000, 6 1-2 Furlongs, Churchill

Chicago Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $150,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade III, Arlington

Emerald Dunes Handicap, 3&up;, $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Calder

Princess Rooney Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Calder

Locust Grove Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Churchill

Prioress Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade II, Belmont

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