SANTA ANITA RECEIVES NEW BID

A takeover bid from the California-based real estate developer Donald M. Koll and New York-based Apollo Real Estate Investment Fund for Santa Anita Companies boosted Santa Anita's stock by two points to a two-week high. The proposal would offer shareholders $190 million in dividends or $14 per share and $19 per outstanding share through Koll Arcadia Investments, LLC. The offer comes just two months after Santa Anita reached an agreement to sell 45 percent of the company to Colony Capital, a Los Angeles-based real estate company. Koll, which already owns five percent of the stock in the company, said that its offer was made as an alternative to the Colony Capital investment plan, which was criticized by some leading shareholders. Santa Anita Stock closed at 20 1-2 on Oct. 9.

CAR ACCIDENT CAUSES POWER FAILURE, $3 MILLION IN LOSSES AT PHILADELPHIA PARK

An auto accident on US Route 1 in Bucks County, Penn., caused the cancellation of live racing at Philadelphia Park on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Chief Operating Officer Bill Hogwood estimated the track suffered losses totaling more than $3 million in wagers due to the shutdown. The car crashed into a utility pole causing a power outage. A backup power system subsequently burned out, preventing the track from having enough power to operate fully. Power was lost at 11:15 a.m. as patrons were arriving for the day's racing action.

'Tuesday is one of our best days of the week,' said Hogwood. 'It is the day we face the least amount of competition. The cancellation caused the loss of about $2.8 million in wagers on our lives races and at least another $250,000 on simulcasting of other tracks.'

Simulcasting resumed when power returned at 3:30 p.m.

OAK TREE RACING TO PURCHASE NEW EQUINE AMBULANCES

The Oak Tree Racing Association, which conducts Thoroughbred racing at Santa Anita Park in the fall, has approved funding of $150,000 to purchase two new equine ambulances and $13,000 to refurbish the ambulances presently used at Southern California tracks. One of the new ambulances will be used at tracks in Northern California.

KENTUCKY VETERINARIAN FINDS A BETTER 'WEIGH' FOR RACING

Dr. Phil Shrimpton, a Kentucky equine veterinarian who once worked for the Kentucky Racing Commission, believes ill-fitting weight bars can be detrimental to a racehorse. He designed a new, flexible, saddle-shaped weight pad to replace the traditional weight bars horses are assigned to carry when they race. His new design was unveiled at Keeneland Racecourse on opening day Oct. 5.

Keeneland is the first track to offer trainers and jockeys the option of using the new pads instead of lead bars. The Lexington, Ky. , racetrack ordered 46 of the pads which come in varying weights beginning at one pound. Constructed of felt, closed-cell foam and vulcanized rubber, Dr. Shrimpton feels his pad is more comfortable for the horse and unlike traditional lead weights, won't squeeze shoulder and back muscles when the girth is tightened. According to Jim Williams, publicity director at Keeneland, the pads are popular, 'especially among the more lightweight riders, as the pads allow for better distribution of weight across the horse's back.'

Dr. Shrimpton's pads, named Best Pad Race Weights, were worn by Grindstone when he won the Kentucky Derby and by champion Cigar in several races.

NEW ENGLAND TURF WRITERS HONOR TEAM CIGAR

Cigar, owner Allen Paulson, trainer Bill Mott and jockey Jerry Bailey were voted the recipients of the Lou Smith Award by the New England Turf Writers for the second consecutive year for outstanding contribution to New England racing in 1996. Cigar won the Massachusetts Handicap in 1995 and 1996, with his appearances attracting record crowds. Cigar and his connections will be honored at a dinner on Nov. 25.

D. WAYNE LUKAS TO VISIT AND SPEAK AT TEXAS TRACK

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas will visit Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Texas on Thursday, Oct. 17, to tour the facility and be the guest of honor at a media-VIP breakfast. Thoroughbred racing's all-time leading trainer will also sign autographs and answer questions posed by the track's patrons from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

CALDER BOOSTS PURSES 15 PERCENT

Calder Racecourse, in Miami, Fla., has announced a 15 percent increase in purses, the third increase of the current meet. The rise in purses is attributable to the success of live racing and full-card simulcasting.

RACING ON THE AIR

Oct. 10 'Racehorse Digest' 1:30-2:00 a.m. ESPN
Oct. 13 Las Palmas Handicap, Santa Anita, 6:30-7:00 p.m. Prime Sports
Oct. 19 2-Day at the Races 5:30-6:00 p.m. ESPN2

RACING TO HISTORY

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.

Oct. 14, 1952: Jockey Bill Hartack rode his first career winner, at Waterford Park.

Oct. 14, 1953: After a 21-year hiatus as a professional jockey, Earl Sande, 54, won his first race in a comeback, with Miss Weesie, at Jamaica. Sande's comeback began on Oct. 5 and ended with his win at Jamaica, where he received an ovation from a crowd of 18,184.

Oct. 14, 1968: Sandy Hawley won his first race aboard a two-year-old gelding named Fly Alone, riding at Woodbine Racecourse.

Oct. 14, 1972: After finishing first in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park, Secretariat was disqualified and placed second, after bearing in on Stop the Music, who was declared the official winner.

Oct. 15, 1977: In the fifth of their 10 meetings, Alydar won his second victory over Affirmed in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park.

Oct. 17, 1970: Nijinsky II ended his career finishing second in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket. In 13 races he won 11 times and finished second twice.

Oct. 17, 1986: Kent Desormeaux made his Maryland debut, in the fourth race, at Laurel Racecourse, Laurel, Md., aboard Shonda's Shickels. He finished second, but was disqualified for interference and placed fourth.

Oct. 17, 1991: Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. rode his 7, 000th victory aboard Dont Cross the Law [sic] at Belmont Park.

Oct. 18, 1956: Nashua, ridden by Eddie Arcaro, was paraded at Keeneland in his last appearance at a racetrack.

Oct. 18, 1973: The owners of Secretariat announced that his last race would be the Canadian International Championship Stakes at Woodbine Racecourse.

Oct. 18, 1976: MacK Miller swept the top three spots in the Long Island Handicap with his trainees Javamine, Nijana and Fun Forever.

Oct. 18, 1978: Jockey Dave Gall became the first rider to win eight races during a single program. He rode 10 consecutive races for the day at Cahokia Downs, finishing second and fifth in his two losing efforts.

Oct. 20, 1923: Zev, winner of the 1923 Kentucky Derby, defeated England's hero Papyrus, winner of the 1923 Epsom Derby, in a $100,000 match race at Belmont Park. The race, the International Special, marked the first time an English champion had been sent to the U.S. to race. For his victory, Zev was awarded $80,000 and a gold cup valued at $5,000. Public interest in the race was so great that it was broadcast on the radio-a first. Within two days, films of the race were distributed at movie theaters in New York City and, eventually, across the nation.

Oct. 20, 1954: Bill Shoemaker rode his 2,000th winner, Florence House, at Tanforan.

Flower Bowl Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $350,000, 1 1-4 Miles Turf, Grade I, Belmont
The Flower Bowl is one of the most prestigious races for fillies and mares on the turf. Electric Society (IRE) won the Grade II Diana Handicap at Saratoga. Power Bowl won the Grade II Matchmaker Stakes at Atlantic City. Chelsey Flower won the Grade II Sheepshead Bay Handicap at Belmont. Ampulla won the Waya Stakes at Saratoga. Interim won last year's Grade II La Prevoynte Handicap.

Maryland Million Day at Laurel
Nine races for Maryland-breds.

Henry P. Russell Handicap, 3&up;, $75,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Santa Anita

Illinois Breeders' Debutante Stakes, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 1 Mile, Arlington

Keeneland Breeders' Cup Mile, 3&up;, $200,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Keeneland

Spirit of Fighter Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 5 Furlongs Turf, Calder

Stampede Futurity, 2yo, $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade IIIC, Stampede

Las Palmas Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $125,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade II, Santa Anita
The Las Palmas is a battle between former Grade I stakes winners trying to return to winning form. Alpride (IRE) won the Grade I Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita last year. Wandesta (GB) won the Santa barbara and Santa Ana Stakes. Wheatley Special won the Marie P. DeBartolo Oaks Handicap at Louisiana Downs in her last start.

Phoenix Breeders' Cup Stakes, 3&up;, $150,000, 6 Furlongs, Keeneland
The Phoenix Breeders' Cup Stakes is a prep for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Forest Wildcat has used his speed to win a pair of Grade III stakes, the Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap (equalling the track record at Pimlico) and the Finger Lakes Breeders' Cup Stakes. Kayrawan rallied to victory in the Grade II Tom Fool Handicap at Belmont. Distorted Humor won the Screen King Stakes at Saratoga and tries older horses in the Phoenix.

Gallant Bloom Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $75,000, 6 1-2 Furlongs, Belmont

Illinois Breeders' Futurity, 2yo (c&g;), $100,000, 1 Mile, Arlington

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