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

NO CLONED CIGAR

Don't expect to see cloned versions of Cigar running at a track near you anytime soon, despite published reports in Thursday's New York Post. Section V, Paragraph 1.D. of The Jockey Club's 'Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book,' states that 'Any foal that is the product of either Artificial Insemination or Embryo Transfer is not eligible for registration.' It continues, 'To be eligible for registration, a foal must be the result of a stallion's natural service with a broodmare (which is the physical mounting of a broodmare by a stallion), and a natural gestation must take place in, and delivery must be made from, the body of the same broodmare in which the foal was conceived.'

While cloned Cigars are still science fiction, the two-time Horse of the Year's fertility problems are still very real. According to a spokesperson at Ashford Stud, which bought three quarters of the horse for a reported $25 million, 'Cigar is continuously being examined and a decision on his future will be made.' Cigar has failed to impregnate any of the 16 mares he has been bred to.

PULPIT'S TWO-YEAR-OLD INJURY EXPLAINED

Undefeated Pulpit, the current Kentucky Derby favorite, did not run at age two due to a minor stress fracture in his left front leg, according to Dr. Larry Bramlage, the veterinarian who originally made the diagnosis. During a Thoroughbred Racing Communications teleconference, Tuesday, March 11, Bramlage said the injury was likely the result of the horse's skeletal system not developing quickly enough to keep up with his training schedule. Tiny cracks in leg bones of growing horses are the norm, Bramlage explained. They heal stronger than before the crack and that is the process by which bones grow. Bramlage felt that Pulpit's extreme ability caused the cracks to occur faster than they could heal.

Trainer Frank Brothers said Pulpit was injured early last year in South Carolina, and was sidelined for three months. 'He was given stall care for 30 days, walked for two weeks then was put out on the farm for two to four weeks.'

Dr. Tom Brokken, who is caring for Pulpit in Florida, said, 'He's been perfect in every aspect. I've watched him jog, watched him work, and watched him run. This horse is doing well and training well. He has no infirmities at this time.'

JOCKEYS GO ON-LINE

Three of America's top riders, Pat Day, Shane Sellers and Corey Nakatani, will be featured on America Online's 'Athlete Direct,' which allows AOL subscribers to interact with world-class athletes such as boxing's Evander Holyfield, football's Troy Aikman and baseball's Matt Williams, among others. The jockeys will keep on-line journals, answer e-mail and participate in live chat sessions.

TRACKS COME TO AID OF DISASTER VICTIMS

Keeneland, in Lexington, Ky., donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross on March 11 to aid the organization's flood relief efforts. Many Kentucky towns were inundated by record flooding and the Red Cross established many shelters in the area. 'We wanted to do something to help the many people who are suffering as a result of this disaster,' said Keeneland president Bill Greely. 'We'd like to encourage other more fortunate individuals and businesses to do what they can to assist with this effort.'

Oaklawn Park, in Hot Springs, Ark., donated the use of one of its ambulances to help people in Saline, Ark., which was devastated by a tornado, March 1.

MUSEUM ANNOUNCES EVENTS, EXHIBITS FOR DERBY SEASON

The Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Ky., has scheduled several major events and exhibits for 1997. A photo exhibit, featuring 25 years of 'Derby Images' by Louisville Magazine photographer John Nation, opened Feb. 13 and will run through June 29. The annual Derby Fashion Show and luncheon, will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 27. The show is titled, 'The Art of Style.' Noted sports artist LeRoy Neiman will exhibit 30 of his works at the Museum from April 6 through June 29. The Museum's Gala, 'April in Paris,' will be held Saturday, April 26. William T. Young, the principal of Overbrook Farm and owner of last year's Derby winner Grindstone, is the honorary chairman. Neiman will be the Gala's special guest.

The Museum's site on the World Wide Web, which premiered Feb. 15, includes a Derby section with Derby party ideas, Derby history and historical Derby postcards. The Museum section highlights some of the exhibits and gives information on admissions, memberships, group tours and rentals. The site also highlights the Museum's educational programs and offers a children's section where activities can be printed out for home use. The Museum's site will be updated frequently to offer the latest in Derby events and new exhibits. The on-line catalog features over 20 of the gift shop's most popular Derby items, including Derby 123 glasses, T-shirts and party supplies. The Museum's web site can be viewed at www.derbymuseum.org

IT'S ALL ABOUT EDUCATION AT LONE STAR PARK

Most sports fans enjoy their game more if they know what they're watching and Thoroughbred racing is no exception. The soon-to-be-opened Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, near Dallas, Texas, is reaching out to tutor its fans before its April 17 opening. 'We're trying to educate people, give them some knowledge on how to read a program,' said Eugene O'Neill, assistant director of media relations at Lone Star. 'The track could be intimidating. We're trying to get people less phobic about racing.'

To ease its potential audience into racing, Lone Star hit the road, holding seven seminars in Dallas-area hotels, attended by about 1,800 people. The track printed a Basic Player's Guide, which explains in simple terms such racing basics as how to wager (and how to collect a winning wager), items to consider when wagering and a short glossary of racing terms.

The track's Post Pavilion simulcast facility opened May 3, 1996 and it has attracted more than 500,000 fans since, averaging 2,000 per day wagering about $500,000.

RACING TO HISTORY

March 14, 1976: Bill Shoemaker won his 7,000th career victory, aboard Charlie Whittingham-trained Royal Derby II, in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park.

March 14, 1987: Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. became the first rider in the history of Santa Anita Park to win seven races in a single afternoon. In his only loss of the day, Pincay finished third aboard Bob Back in the eighth race.

March 17, 1973: In his three-year-old debut, Secretariat won the Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct by 4 1-2 lengths.

March 19, 1942: The Thoroughbred Racing Associations of the United States was formed, with John C. Clark as president.

March 19, 1949: Jockey Bill Shoemaker rode his first career race at Golden Gate Fields. He finished fifth, aboard Waxahachie, in an eight-horse field.

March 20, 1932: Phar Lap, legendary champion racehorse of Australia, won his only start in North America, the Agua Caliente Handicap at Agua Caliente Racecourse in Mexico. His time for the 1 1-4-mile race was 2:02 4-5, a track record. The six-year-old Phar Lap died one month later and the cause of his death remains a mystery. During his four years of racing in Australia, Phar Lap won 36 of 50 starts.

March 20, 1969: Less than two months after she became the first woman to ride in a parimutuel race in America, Diane Crump rode her first winner at Gulfstream Park.

RACING ON THE AIR

March 15, Racehorse Digest, 5:00-5:30 a.m., ESPN
March 15, Florida Derby, Gulfstream, 4:30-6:00 p.m., ABC
March 16, Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, 5:00-6:00 p.m., ESPN2
March 17, Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, 12:00-1:00 a.m., ESPN
March 19, Racehorse Digest, 4:30-5:00 p.m., ESPN
March 20, Racehorse Digest, 3:30-4:00 a.m., ESPN

Creme Fraiche Handicap, 3&up;, $75,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Gulfstream Park

Swale Stakes, 3yo, $75,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade III, Gulfstream Park

Buckram Oak Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade III, Gulfstream Park

Fort Lauderdale Handicap, 3&up;, $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles Turf, Grade III, Gulfstream Park

Florida Derby, 3yo, $500,000, 1 1-8 Miles, Grade I, Gulfstream Park
Early Kentucky Derby favorite Pulpit, undefeated after three career starts, is the odds-on choice to prevail against seven rivals. Pulpit will meet five of the horses he defeated in the Feb. 22 Fountain of Youth Stakes as well as two new faces. Captain Bodgit (3rd in the Fountain of Youth), Jack Flash (5th), Acceptable (6th), Frisk Me Know (7th) and Wrightwood (8th) will all take another shot at Pulpit with longshots Michelle'sallhands and Hurry the Dance trying the budding superstar for the first time.

Baldwin Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 6 1-2 Furlongs Turf, Grade III, Santa Anita

Distaff Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade II, Aqueduct

Fair Grounds Oaks, 3yo fillies, $175,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Fair Grounds

Phoenix Gold Cup, 3&up;, $125,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade III, Turf Paradise

Razorback Handicap, 4&up;, $150,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Oaklawn

Louisiana Derby, 3yo, $400,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade III, Fair Grounds
Smoke Glacken, undefeated in 1997 after three starts, meets the D. Wayne Lukas-trained duo of Open Forum and Trafalger. The speedy Smoke Glacken was thought be a sprinter but won the Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, March 1, by eight lengths at one mile. Open Forum took the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds Feb. 23, while Trafalger chased Smoke Glacken in the Southwest.

Orchid Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $200,000, 1 1-2 Miles Turf, Grade II, Gulfstream

San Felipe Stakes, 3yo, $250,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Santa Anita

Toboggan Handicap, 3&up;, $75,000, 7 Furlongs, Aqueduct

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