ASHFORD STUD: CIGAR FANS WELCOME, BUT THEY SHOULD CALL FIRST

There's good news for Cigar fans. He's adjusted well to his new home at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., and a farm spokesman says that his legions of fans are welcome to visit him.

'He's settled in very easily,' said Dr. Barry Simon, the farm manager. 'Bill Mott was kind enough to let Juan Campuzano, Cigar's groom, stay here at the farm for a few days, so that's helped. Cigar is very relaxed and things are going well so far.'

Simon said that Cigar, who arrived at the farm Nov. 10, will not officially begin his breeding career until Feb. 10, at the earliest, when the breeding shed opens. As for fans who want to visit Cigar, Dr. Simon said, 'Everyone's welcome, but we recommend they call first for an appointment.' The phone number at Ashford Stud is (606) 873-7088.

'CIGAR AFICIONADO' LOOKS AT, WHO ELSE, CIGAR

Cigar is profiled in the current issue of 'Cigar Aficionado' magazine as, not only a champion, but a high-profile athlete, media machine and box-office bonanza for the track able to lure him. Those who knew Cigar best, owner Allen Paulson, trainer Bill Mott, jockey Jerry Bailey and New York Racing Association and Breeders' Cup race-caller Tom Durkin, are interviewed by writer John Lee. Cigar, last year's Horse of the year after a 10-for-10 season, is almost certain to become the first back-to-back winner since Affirmed in 1978-79.

OHIO STATE TO OPEN GALBREATH EQUINE TRAUMA CENTER

Thanks to $2.8 million in private gifts, including a large donation from the Galbreath family, the Daniel M. Galbreath Equine Trauma, Intensive Care and Research Center is due to open at The Ohio State University on Dec. 6. The center is connected to the existing veterinary hospital, which treats about 2,500 horses each year.

'This represents a tremendous step forward for equine science and the College of Veterinary Medicine,' said Glen Hoffsis, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. 'This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to work more effectively with our growing number of clients worldwide, while also providing our faculty and students with the additional facilities needed to maintain and enhance our advances in research and teaching.'

The center contains two surgery rooms, 14 intensive care stalls and 19 stalls for use in teaching and research. Ohio State's equine veterinary staff includes specialists in orthopedics, soft-tissue surgery, exercise physiology, neurology, anesthesia, radiology and internal medicine. There are also graduate and residency programs. Research funding is provided through the Ohio Racing Commission, industry foundations and federal agencies.

JACINTO VASQUEZ WINS FIRST RACE AS TRAINER

Jacinto Vasquez, a two-time winner of the Kentucky Derby who is best known as the regular rider of the champion filly Ruffian, won his first race as a trainer in his first start when Kris' Pine Sticks won the sixth race at Calder on Sunday, Nov. 24. A winner of 5,231 races as a jockey, Vasquez won two Kentucky Derbies, with Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and the filly Genuine Risk in 1980.

FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST IS IN THE RACING PICTURE

FOX Sports Southwest and the Thoroughbred associations of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, have joined forces to create the Mid-South Championship, which will match horses from the four states. The inaugural race, a $40,000, 1 1-16-mile event for four-year-olds and up, will be held at the New Orleans Fair Grounds, Jan. 11.

'We view horse racing as an important part of our programming mix,' said FOX Sports Southwest general manager Jon Heidtke. 'We are pleased to be able to showcase some of the top talent in horse racing, specifically from this region of the country.'

The Mid-South Championship will rotate between tracks in the four states and will be made available by FOX Sports Southwest to all other FOX Sports Net affiliates across the country.

CHURCHILL DOWNS BOOSTS PURSES

Due to record simulcast wagering, all overnight purses at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Ky., have been raised 12 percent for the final five days of the current meet, which concludes Saturday, Nov. 30.

'Our racing is at an all-time high,' said Vice President of Racing Don Richardson. 'Quality racing has enabled Churchill Downs to further develop its simulcast network and in turn reward the horsemen for their efforts.'

MEDIA ECLIPSE AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE DEC. 1

Members of the media are reminded that the deadline for submitting entries for Eclipse Award consideration is Dec. 1, 1996. The categories are: newspaper writing, magazine writing, local television, national television, radio and photography. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Conrad Sobkowiak at the Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) at (410) 392-9200.

RACING ON THE AIR

Nov. 28 'Racehorse Digest' 1:30-2:00 a.m. ESPN
Nov. 30 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m. ESPN
Dec. 1 Hollywood Derby, Matriarch Stakes, Hollywood Park 6:00-7:00 p.m. ESPN
Dec. 6 'Racehorse Digest' 1:30-2:00 a.m. ESPN
Dec. 7 'Racehorse Digest' 6:00-6:30 a.m. ESPN

RACING TO HISTORY

Nov. 28, 1982: The brilliant Landaluce, who won her five lifetime starts by a total of 46 1-2 lengths, died of a viral infection. She was buried in the infield at Hollywood Park, where she had won her first two races. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Landaluce was later voted champion two-year-old filly of 1982 over another undefeated filly, Princess Rooney.

Nov. 30, 1989: Jockey Kent Desormeaux surpassed Chris McCarron's 15-year record for most number of victories in a single season when he rode his 547th winner for the year, at Laurel.

Dec. 1, 1962: Ten thousand fans attended a ceremony at Tropical Park in honor of Carry Back's retirement. By Saggy out of Joppy, Carry Back was known as 'the people's horse.' He retired after 55 starts and earnings of more than $1 million.

Dec. 1, 1982: In the first race to feature mother and daughter jockeys, Patti Barton rode against her daughter, Leah, at Latonia. Patti finished fifth aboard Tam's Angel while Leah was tenth on Diane's Ms. Lolly.

Dec. 2, 1936: Fair Grounds, New Orleans, La., licensed its first female trainer, Miss Meryl Eckhardt of Flint, Mich.

Dec. 7, 1957: A two-year-old colt named Silky Sullivan won the one-mile Golden Gate Futurity after making up 27 lengths, establishing a running style that became legendary. Horsemen still invoke the name of Silky Sullivan when referring to a horse that runs from far off the pace.

Dec. 8, 1989: Power to Geaux paid a record $2,922 for a $2 wager made at AKsarben on the simulcast of the 11th race from Fair Grounds. The previous record for a payoff on a $2 wager was set June 17, 1912, when Wishing Ring paid $1,885.50.

Top Flight Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $150,000, 1 Mile, Grade I, Aqueduct
The Top Flight features Yanks Music, who will most likely be named Eclipse champion three-year-old filly. She has four Grade I victories this year, all in New York. Multiple graded stakes winner Lottsa Talc will challenge, as will Thunder Achiever and Miss Golden Circle, one-two in the Grade II First Flight Handicap at Aqueduct, Nov. 9. Flat Fleet Feet won the Bessarabian Handicap on the Breeders' Cup undercard while Shoop won a minor stakes race at Aqueduct.

Miesque Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Hollywood
The Miesque is the richest race for two-year-old fillies on the turf in the country. Montecito won the Jim Hill Stakes on the turf at Hollywood. Critical Factor was a fast closing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Clever Pilot and Wealthy ran two-three in the Grade I Oak Leaf Stakes. Rexy Sexy won the California Cup Juvenile Fillies on dirt. Pun (GB) makes her American debut after winning one of four races in England.

NYRA Mile, 3&up;, $250,000, 1 Mile, Grade I, Aqueduct
The NYRA Mile is always a wide-open race since both sprinters and distance horses compete. Honour and Glory was game in victory in the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap at a mile at Belmont and has been close in almost every start. Appealing Skier won the Grade II Withers Stakes at Belmont at a mile. Atticus won the Grade III Kentucky Cup Classic. Poor But Honest wired the field in the Grade III Paterson Handicap at Aqueduct. Gold Fever rallied to take the Grade III Discovery Handicap at Aqueduct. Valid Expectations and Diligence ran one-two in the Grade III Sport Page Handicap at Aqueduct last time out against older horses.

Citation Handicap, 3&up;, $300,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade II, Hollywood
The Citation is an important race for middle distance grass runners. Gentlemen (ARG) won the Grade III Bay Meadows Handicap. Helmsman is a Grade I winner on dirt who tries turf again. Silver Wizard won last year Grade II American Handicap at Hollywood. Beau Jingles and Via Lombardia (IRE) ran one-two in the Steinlen Stakes at Hollywood. Eltish has been a disappointment on dirt in America but was a stakes winner on grass back in Europe.

Generous Stakes, 2yo, $250,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Hollywood
The Generous is the richest race for two-year-old colts on the turf in the country. Falkenham (GB) was a stakes winner on turf in England and finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on dirt. Daylight in Dubai was a Group 3 stakes winner in Ireland. Demolition Man (GB) came over from Europe to finish third in the Precisionist Stakes at Hollywood. Churchland (GB) and Hello (IRE) have not been able to keep up with some of the better European horses. Divine Insight is graded stakes placed on the turf in Canada. Zippersup ran second in the Grade II Norfolk Stakes. Bagshot ran third in the California Cup Juvenile.

Tropical Turf Handicap, 3&up;, $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade III, Calder
The Tropical Turf Handicap features Mecke as he tries to strengthen his claim for the Eclipse Turf Male championship. This year Mecke has Grade I victories in the Arlington Million and the Early Times Turf Classic. Rough Opening is a grade III stakes winner on the turf. Dagda won the Canadian Maturity Stakes.

Kentucky Jockey Club, 2yo, $150,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Churchill
The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes gives horses a chance to run over the Churchill track with hopes of returning there for the Kentucky Derby. Night in Reno won the Grade II Arlington-Washington Futurity. Global View won the Grade III Iroquois Stakes at Churchill. Thesaurus has been impressive in winning stakes races on the grass. Carmen's Baby won the California Cup Juvenile.

Annapolis Stakes, 3&up;, $75,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Laurel

Demoiselle Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Aqueduct

Golden Rod Stakes, 2yo fillies, $150,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Churchill

Ontario Lassie Stakes, 2yo fillies, $75,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade IIIC, Woodbine

Matriarch Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $700,000, 1 1-4 Miles Turf, Grade I, Hollywood
One of the year's top races, the Matriarch winner most likely will win the Eclipse Award for Best Turf Female. Timarida (IRE) came over from England to win the Grade I Beverly D Stakes at Arlington and has beaten males in the Group I Irish Champion Stakes. Windsharp beat males in the Grade I San Luis Rey Stakes earlier this year and has been running with the top male grass horses all year. She finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Turf. Admise (FR) was awarded the victory via disqualification against males in the Grade I Oak Tree Turf Championship Stakes. Memories of Silver set a course record at Keeneland in winning the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup against a top international field of fillies. She suffered her only turf defeat when she ran fifth in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Hollywood Dream (GER) has won Group I races in Germany and Italy this year. Duda is the race's defending champion. Alpride (IRE), Auriette (IRE), Bail Out Becky and Wandesta (GB) all are Grade I stakes winners and can win the Matriarch with their best effort. De Puntillas (GB) and Olimpia Dukakis (ITY) are top Italian fillies.

Remsen Stakes, 2yo, $200,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade II, Aqueduct
The Remsen Stakes, in recent years, has been a top indicator of Kentucky Derby success, with two of the last three Remsen winners going on to win 'The Run For The Roses.' George Steinbrenner's Acceptable finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Jules is an emerging superstar who won the Grade III Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct. Accelerator rallied to take the Grade III Pilgrim Stakes when it was taken off the turf.

Crown Royal Hollywood Derby, 3yo, $500,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Grade I, Hollywood
The Hollywood Derby brings together a top international field of three-year-olds. Marlin won the Grade I Secretariat Stakes at Arlington. Le Triton won the Group I Prix Jean Prat in France and romped in his American debut at Churchill. Rainbow Blues won the Grade II Del Mar Derby. Trail City won the Grade II American Derby at Arlington. The filly True Flare is a graded stakes winner on both coasts. Mystic Knight (GB) won a Group 3 stakes in England. Devil's Cup finished second in the Grade III Knickerbocker Handicap against older horses. Ok by Me won the Sky Classic Stakes at Woodbine against older horses. Astor Place (IRE) and New York New York (FR) both were stakes placed in France.

Carousel Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $75,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade III, Laurel

Maple Leaf Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-4 Miles, Grade IIIC, Woodbine

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