OSCAR SCHINDLER HEADS TO PARIS

The movie 'Schindler's List' moved many people around the world, including Oliver Lehane, an Irish horse owner. 'He saw the film,' said Lehane's trainer, Kevin Prendergast, 'and liked it and the name. ' So much so that Lehane went through a great deal of trouble to get the name Oscar Schindler approved for a son of Breeders' Cup Mile winner Royal Academy. 'He (Lehane) got in touch with Mrs. Schindler, ' said Prendergast. 'She lives somewhere in the Argentine now.'

Oscar Schindler, the horse, won his most recent start, the Sept. 21 Irish St. Leger. He is on schedule for one of the most difficult doubles racing has to offer: win Sunday's 1 1-2-mile Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the two-mile Melbourne Cup on Nov. 5, the biggest races in Europe and Australia.

It has been raining in France and the course at Longchamp is becoming softer by the minute. 'The soft ground is not in our favor, ' said Prendergast. If Oscar gives a good account of himself, the $2. 2 (AUS) Melbourne Cup may be next. No Arc winner has even attempted the grueling Melbourne Cup, so why would Oscar give it a go. Besides being one of the world's premier distance horses, Predergast explained it this way, 'It's worth an awful lot of money.'

The Arc will be simulcast to Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights. Post time is 8:40 a.m. (CDT). There will be large field, possibly as many as 20, in the Arc, which is considered one of the world's most demanding races. European trainers point to it all year long so Oscar will be facing the best horses in training. Still, overcoming long odds is what his namesake was all about.

GALL WINS NUMBER 7,000, BREAKS ANKLE

Jockey Dave Gall joined Bill Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay Jr. and Angel Cordero Jr. as the only four riders with 7,000 wins when he won the fourth race at Fairmount Park in Collinsvile, Ill., Sept. 28, aboard A.J. Ornay. The very next day, the 54-year-old Gall fractured his left ankle when his mount reared in the starting gate. He is expected to be sidelined for two months.

CIGAR TO APPEAR AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN NOV. 2

Cigar, favored to win the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park this Saturday, as well as the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Toronto's Woodbine Racecourse on Oct. 26, will have one additional public appearance this year: the 113th National Horse Show, Saturday, Nov. 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The appearance benefits the Ronald McDonald House of New York City.

The champion, who is shooting for back-to-back wins in the Breeders' Cup Classic -- a first -- as well as double honors as Horse of the Year, has been accorded celebrity status and will receive a police escort from New York's finest while en route between the Garden and Belmont Park, where he is stabled.

A winner of 16 consecutive races, a feat that matched a record set by Citation, Cigar has won 19 of his 31 career starts, with three seconds and four thirds to earn $9,319,815. Only one horse, Japan's Narita Brian at $9.8 million, tops Cigar in earnings.

'We are thrilled to have Cigar appear at the National Horse Show -- so many people will have the opportunity to see him,' said Madeleine Paulson, whose husband, Allen Paulson, owns Cigar. 'This horse show is a wonderful family event and is the sport's most revered competition. In this year that it returns to Madison Square Garden, we thought it was most appropriate that our champion be a part of this historic moment.'

Madeleine Paulson's daughter, Dominique Richter, will also be competing in the National's Rolex Maclay National Finals for the ASPCA Horsemanship classes, a championship event for junior riders up to age 18.

RETAMA PARK POSTS WAGERING INCREASE

A large jump in off-track handle helped Retama Park, in San Antonio, Texas, post a 23 percent increase in handle, to $824,235 per day. The track is approximately $150,000 in the black for its recently concluded Thoroughbred meet. Retama Park also announced it had been granted $1.3 million in funding from its new bond holder group, Call Now, Inc., which will fund operations for the remainder of the current fiscal year, which ends March 31, 1997.

LEO'S GYPSY DANCER HAS A SWEET SEVENTEEN

A two-year-old filly named Leo's Gypsy Dancer is headed to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies -- followed by 17 owners. The filly is owned by the Purse Strings Stable, made up of 17 professional women from Louisville, Ky. The syndicate started as an idea at a Monday evening dinner and movie group. Ginger Ray, who already raced Thoroughbreds, was always telling her friends about the fun of owning a horse. They asked her if they could get involved and the stable became a reality.

Bought for $20,000 at Keeneland's Horses of Racing Age sale in April, Leo's Gypsy Dancer has run four times with two wins and two seconds. She captured the Ellis Park Debutante Stakes Aug. 31 and was second in her most recent race, the Grade II Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes at Arlington International, Sept. 29.

HASTINGS PARK TAKING WAGERS VIA THE 'NET

Races at Hastings Park, in Vancouver, B.C., will shortly be available for wagering from outside North America via the internet. Starnet International will receive Hastings' racecalls, odds, payoffs and all other wagering information at a site in the Dominican Republic. They will take bets via the internet, do all the necessary currency conversions, and send the information back to Hastings to be included in their mutuel pools. Hastings will get five percent of the offshore handle with no costs to itself.

'I'd recommend this to all racetracks,' said Hastings' general manager Bill Taylor. 'There's no real downside.'

Since every internet account has what is known as an 'IP address,' which are determined by location, Starnet will be able to block those in North America. This type of wager is illegal in Canada and 'probably is' in the U.S., according to Taylor. Another reason for blocking the site is that Taylor 'doesn't want to cannibalize [Hastings] live gate or [that of] any other racetrack.'

The deal is subject to government approval.

CHURCHILL OFFICIALS WILL MEET YOU AT THE GATE

Churchill Downs wants to hear from its fans and the management team will do just that when the 30-day fall meeting opens, Sunday, Oct. 27. Track officials, from vice presidents up to president and CEO Tom Meeker, will greet fans for an hour before the first race at each of the track's three admission gates every day during the meet.

'There is no better way to receive patron feedback than to actually meet and talk with the customers,' said Meeker. 'Customer service has always been a key to our success and communicating with our fans will provide the input needed to better serve our patrons.'

Churchill Downs officials decided to institute the program after experimenting with it during a fan appreciation promotion on the final day of the spring meeting.

PHILLY PARK SUPPORTS SLOT LEGISLATION

Bob Green, president and CEO of Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Pa., announced his support for a bill that would allow the four Pennsylvania racetracks (Philadelphia Park, Penn National, The Meadows and Pocono Downs) to install slot machines. Philadelphia Park officials estimate that 12 percent of their business has been lost to Delaware, where slot machines at Delaware Park and Dover Downs have enabled the two tracks to raise purses.

'Horse racing is one of this state's most important industries,' said Green, 'but as a result of what is happening around us, our business and our investment in the Philadelphia region is under serious threat.'

Video lottery terminals in West Virginia are also drawing away customers from Pittsburgh and the western part of the state. With Maryland and New York considering slots, Pennsylvania senator Robert Tomlinson introduced his bill. A recent study shows that Pennsylvania's racing industry employs 40,000 people, generating $576 million in personal income with a total economic impact of $752 million plus another $1 billion in related commercial activities.

RACING ON THE AIR

RACING TO HISTORY

Oct. 3, 1942: With a victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Whirlaway, ridden by George Woolf, became the first Thoroughbred to amass more than $500,000 in lifetime earnings.

Oct. 4, 1762: Nineteen members of England's Jockey Club announced an agreement at Newmarket to register their racing colors for purposes of distinguishing runners among a field of horses. The Duke of Devonshire chose 'straw,' and the color, still registered for the family, is the oldest continuously-used color in racing.

Oct. 4, 1970: Nijinsky II's 11-race winning streak came to an end when he ran second to Sassafras in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Oct. 4, 1980: Less than an hour before post time, Spectacular Bid was scratched from the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the race that was to have been his last. Trainer Bud Delp claimed that 'Bid' had a slight leg injury, but refused to allow a veterinarian to examine the horse and insisted he be retired. Despite this ignoble end to his career, Spectacular Bid's 1980 racing season was perfect: he won each of his nine starts, all of them stakes, and was subsequently voted Horse of the Year.

Oct. 4, 1989: Secretariat, 1973 Triple Crown champion, was euthanized at Claiborne Farm, Paris, Ky., after suffering a severe case of laminitis. He was 19.

Oct. 5, 1933: Jockey Gordon Richards concluded a 12-race winning streak that had begun on Oct. 3 when he won the last race at Nottingham, followed by a six-for-six day at Chepstow on Oct. 4 and five wins at Chepstow on Oct. 5.

Oct. 5, 1973: In his final workout for his first grass race, the Man o' War Stakes, Secretariat went five furlongs on the turf in :56 4-5 at Belmont Park.

Oct. 5, 1983: Jockey Jorge Velasquez won his 5,000th career race, riding Banquet Scene to victory in the fourth race at Belmont Park.

Oct. 6, 1949: Col. Matt J. Winn, generally credited with making the Kentucky Derby the greatest horse race in America, died at the age of 88. He witnessed all of the first 75 Derbies.

Oct. 6, 1979: In their only race together, champions Affirmed and Spectacular Bid met in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Odds-on favorite Affirmed, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., won by 3-4 lengths and became the first horse ever to earn more than $1 million in a single racing season. Affirmed was later voted Horse of the Year off this convincing victory over Spectacular Bid, who was named champion three- year-old.

Oct. 6, 1989: Parimutuel racing returned to Texas with a meet held at G. Rollie White Downs. Racing had been banned in the state since 1937.

Oct. 7, 1956: In his final start of his career, four-year-old Ribot won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for the second consecutive year and retired a perfect 16-for-16.

Oct. 8, 1973: Secretariat made his grass-racing debut in the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park, winning the 1 1-2-mile race by five lengths in a time of 2:24 4-5. He overran the finish line by another furlong, running 1 5-8 miles in a world-record-equalling time of 2:37 4-5.

Oct. 10, 1974: With female riders still a novelty, Lincoln Downs staged a $5,000 match race between jockeys Denise Boudrot and Mike Lapensee. The race, dubbed the 'contest of the sexes,' was won by Boudrot. In a rematch one week later, in which the riders switched their mounts from their previous encounter, Boudrot again prevailed.

Oct. 12, 1920: In the final race of his career, three-year-old Man o' War defeated 1919 Triple Crown winner Sir Barton in a match race, the Kenilworth Park Gold Cup, at Kenilworth Park. Sent off at odds of 1-20, Man o' War won by seven lengths in his 14th consecutive victory.

Oct. 12, 1966: Damascus, owned by Edith W. Bancroft, broke his maiden at Aqueduct Racetrack, winning by eight lengths.

Oct. 12, 1991: Morley Street (IRE) won the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase for the second consecutive year, becoming the third horse to win two Breeders' Cup Championship races.

Oct. 13, 1956: At age four, 1955 Horse of the Year Nashua won his last race, the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Belmont Park.

Oct. 13, 1984: At age nine, odds-on favorite John Henry won his last race, the Ballantine's Scotch Classic at The Meadowlands, to earn the richest purse of his career, $740,000, which included a $500,000 bonus for winning both the Turf Classic, run at Belmont Park on Sept. 22, and the Meadowlands' race. John Henry retired as America's then- richest horse with earnings of $6,597,947.

Oct. 13, 1988: In the track's first riding fatality, jockey Mike Venezia, age 43, was killed at Belmont Park after he was thrown from his mount, Mr. Walter K., which had broken its leg and was later euthanized. Track officials canceled the remainder of the day's races.

Breeders' Cup prep races abound in the last major weekend before racing's biggest day, the Oct. 26 Breeders' Cup at Woodbine in Toronto.

Meadowlands Cup, 3&up;, $750,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Meadowlands
The Meadowlands Cup is a prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic. Geri won the Grade I Oaklawn Handicap this year and has not raced since finishing second in the Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup in June. Dramatic Gold won the Grade II Del Mar Breeders' Cup Handicap in his last start. Devil's Honor and Formal Gold ran one-two in the Grade III Pennsylvania Derby. Victory Speech won the Grade II Swaps Stakes in July. Stephanotis finished third in the Grade I Molson Million after winning the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. Eltish finished second in the Grade I Iselin Handicap in August at Monmouth but hasn't won since 1994.

Moet Champagne Stakes, 2yo, $400,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade I, Belmont
The Champagne is an important prep for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Traitor drew away to win the Grade I Futurity Stakes at Belmont. Ordway finished second in the Grade I Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. Gold Tribute just missed in the Grade II Del Mar Futurity. Shammy Davis beat Traitor in an allowance at Saratoga. Acceptable was impressive in taking an allowance at Woodbine.

Turf Classic, 3&up;, $500,000, 1 1-2 Miles Turf, Grade I, Belmont
The Turf Classic is a prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf. Diplomatic won a pair of Grade I stakes over the Belmont turf, the Early Times Manhattan Handicap and the Man o' War Stakes. Awad is looking for his first win since last year's Grade I Arlington Million. Flitch won the Grade III Seneca Handicap at Saratoga. Turkpasser is the race's defending champion. Marlin won the Grade I Secretariat Stakes. Definite Article and Posidonas are grouped stakes winners in Europe. Montjoy and Bad Bertrich Again are trying to improve on disappointing American debuts.

Jockey Club Gold Cup, 3&up;, $1,000,000, 1 1-4 Miles, Grade I, Belmont
Horse of the Year Cigar, winner of 17 of his last 18 starts, will try and demonstrate his dominance over a new generation as he meets a trio of talented three-year-olds. Cigar, last year's Gold Cup winner, won the Grade I Woodward Stakes to maintain his perfect record over the Belmont main track. Skip Away is the leader of the three-year- old division after an impressive victory in the Grade I Woodbine Million. Editor's Note won this year's Belmont Stakes and returned to the winner's circle with a late rally to win the Louisiana Super Derby. Louis Quatorze beat Skip Away in the Preakness and has been one of the most consistant three-year-olds. Mahogany Hall won the Grade I Whitney Handicap at Saratoga.

Goodwood Handicap, 3&up;, $300,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Santa Anita
The Goodwood features the return of Dare and Go, who snapped Cigar's 16-race winning streak in the Grade I Pacific Classic. Alphabet Soup won the Grade II San Antonio Handicap in February at Santa Anita. Savinio won the Grade III San Diego Handicap.

Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, 3yo fillies, $400,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade I, Keeneland
The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is America's premier turf race for three-year-old fillies. Antespend won the Grade I Del Mar Oaks on grass. True Flare has won graded turf stakes on both coasts. Memories of Silver won the Grade III Nijana Stakes at Saratoga. Careless Heiress won the Grade III Boiling Springs Handicap. Shake the Yoke won the Group I Coronation Stakes at Ascot. Sensation is a Group II stakes winner in England. Housa Dancer is a stakes winner in France.

Durham Cup Handicap, 3&up;, $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade IIC, Woodbine

Kelso Handicap, 3&up;, $175,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Belmont

Oak Leaf Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade I, Santa Anita

Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile Handicap, 3&up;, $175,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade II, Santa Anita

Beldame Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $400,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Belmont
The Beldame is a major prep for the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Serena's Song is has been running well against males this summer and was just edged in her last start, the Grade I Ruffian Handicap at Belmont. My Flag has won a pair of Grade I stakes at Belmont this year, the Coaching Club American Oaks and the Gazelle Handicap, and was third against males in the Belmont Stakes.

Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $175,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Santa Anita
The Lady's Secret features the return of Jewel Princess, one of the top older fillies in the country. She won the Grade I Vanity Handicap at Hollywood in July in her last start and is headed for the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Oak Tree Turf Championship, 3&up;, $300,000, 1 1-4 Miles Turf, Grade I
The Oak Tree Turf Championship is a prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf. Celtic Arms returns to racing after winning his last start, the Grade II Pan American Handicap at Gulfstream, in March. The French filly Admise is undefeated in America after winning two stakes at Del Mar. Time Star won the Grade II Golden Gate Handicap.

Three Chimneys Spinster Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $500,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Keeneland
The Spinster has been the definitive prep race for the Breeders' Cup Distaff with seven fillies coming out of the Spinster to win the Distaff. Different (ARG), a champion in her native Argentina, is undefeated in this country with a victory last time out in the Grade I Chula Vista Handicap at Del Mar. Golden Attraction, 1995's Two- Year-Old champion, won the Grade II Turfway Breeders' Cup Stakes wire to wire. Urbane won the Grade I John A. Morris Handicap at Saratoga. Top Secret wired the field in the Grade II Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks.

Alberta Derby, 3yo, $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade IIC, Stampede

Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicap, 3&up;, $150,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade III, Santa Anita

Arlington-Washington Futurity, 2yo, $200,000, 1 Mile, Grade II, Arlington

B.C. Premier's Championship, 3&up;, $100,000, 1 3-8 Miles, Hastings

Boojum Stakes, 3&up;, $175,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade II, Belmont

Frizette Stakes, 2yo fillies, $400,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade I, Belmont

Grey Breeders' Cup Stakes, 2yo, $175,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Woodbine

Highlander Handicap, 3&up;, $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade IC, Woodbine

Jamaica Handicap, 3yo, $125,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade II, Belmont

Mazarine Breeders' Cup Stakes, 2yo fillies, $175,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade IC, Woodbine

Norfolk Stakes, 2yo, $200,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Santa Anita

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