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

NTRA TASK FORCES RECONVENE TO FINALIZE BUSINESS PLANS

The pace of the planning process for the NTRA quickened this week when four of the five recently appointed Task Forces reconvened in Lexington, Ky., to finalize individual business plans in the areas of Joint Purchasing, Cooperative Advertising, Merchandising and Sponsorship. The group charged with preparing a plan for Customer Service and Customer Retention is scheduled to meet in Dallas next week. Also in Lexington this week was a representative of Ernst & Young, to assist with drafting individual business plans. The Big Six accounting and business management firm has been retained to write the overall final NTRA Business Plan. NTRA interim president and CEO D.G. Van Clief Jr. said that the meetings had been stimulating and productive and praised TRA executive vice president, Chris Scherf, for his working in coordinating the sessions.

The Joint Purchasing Task Force had the benefit of additional input from representatives of three corporations specializing in the area. They heard presentations from Miles Lee of Unistar; John Deweese of Professional's Purchasing; and Geof Knight of Corporate Express.

NEW DERBY DRAW APPROVED

The Kentucky Racing Commission approved a request by Churchill Downs to change the manner in which post positions are drawn for the Kentucky Derby. While the change is not guaranteed to happen, it could be implemented as early as next year. In the past, a horse's name was selected and a 'pill' containing a post position would be randomly drawn. Under the new format, a horse's name would be randomly selected and the trainer or owner would pick their own post position from those remaining.

'The draw for post positions in the Kentucky Derby is one of the most dramatic moments of Derby Week and this experiment could make the event even more exciting,' said Thomas Meeker, president and CEO of Churchill Downs. 'Other sports have embraced changes in tradition in recent years and have benefited from their decisions.'

The Derby post position draw is televised by ESPN and Meeker feels the new format would add to the telecast. He added that Churchill Downs would be seeking input from both horsemen and fans on the concept.

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.

Oct. 21, 1961: Eddie Arcaro won the Jockey Club Gold Cup for a record 10th time. His mount, Kelso, won the Gold Cup five straight years, 1960-64, setting the mark for most consecutive victories in a stakes race.

Oct. 22, 1945: El Lobo and Featherfoot became the first Thoroughbreds to be transported by airplane. They were flown from Los Angeles to San Mateo in a twin-engine Budd transport plane piloted by Maj. William Hoelle of the Flying Tiger Line, who landed the plane in the parking area at Bay Meadows. On Oct. 27, El Lobo won the Burlingame Handicap at Bay Meadows, proving that horses could fly (and win).

Oct. 22, 1955: A rare triple dead-heat for first took place at Mexico's Caliente in the eighth race. Stormsorno, Chance Speed and Beaufair were the three winners.

Oct. 22, 1964: Jockey Bill Shoemaker won the 5,000th race of his career aboard Slapstick at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Oct. 22, 1973: Secretariat was flown to Woodbine Racecourse, where he would compete in his final career race, the Canadian International Championship Stakes.

Oct. 24, 1877: Congress adjourned to see a race between Parole, Ten Broek and Tom Ochiltree, which was held at Pimlico.

Oct. 24, 1953: Tom Fool won the Pimlico Special Stakes by eight lengths, capping a perfect four-year-old campaign with 10 stakes wins in as many starts. The Special was his fourth consecutive race run as a non-betting exhibition. Tom Fool was voted Horse of the Year for 1953, acing out Native Dancer, who lost only one of his 10 stakes races that year, the Kentucky Derby.

Oct. 25, 1870: Pimlico, the nation's second-oldest Thoroughbred racetrack, began its inaugural meet.

Oct. 15, Racehorse Digest, 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN
Oct. 16, Racehorse Digest, 3:30-4:00 a.m., ESPN
Oct. 18, Racehorse Digest, 5:30-6:00 a.m., ESPN
Oct. 18, 2Day at the Races, 11:00-11:30 p.m., ESPN2
Oct. 19, 2Day at the Races, 7:00-7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Oct. 22, Racehorse Digest, 3:30-4:00 p.m., ESPN
Oct. 23, Racehorse Digest, 3:30-4:00 a.m., ESPN
Oct. 25, Racehorse Digest, 5:30-6:00 a.m., ESPN

Jockey Club Gold Cup, 3&up;, $1,000,000, 1 1/4 Miles, Grade I, Belmont Park
Jerry Bailey replaces Shane Sellers aboard Skip Away, who is likely making his last start of the year as he is not nominated for the Breeders' Cup. Skip Away will face Siphon (BRZ), winner of the Grade I Santa Anita Handicap on March 2 and runner-up in the Grade I Pacific Classic, Sept. 9 at Del Mar; and Coup D'Argent, third in the Grade III Kentucky Cup Classic, Sept. 13 at Turfway Park. Others entered are Golden Larch, Instant Friendship, Prepo (ARG) and Wagon Limit.

Turf Classic Invitational, 3&up;, $500,000, 1 1/2 Miles Turf, Grade I, Belmont Park
Awad, second in last year's Turf Classic, meets a small field in his 67th career start. Val's Prince, runner-up in the Man o' War Stakes, Sept. 21 at Belmont, and multiple graded stakes winners Ops Smile and the entry of Flag Down and Dowty round out the field.

Moet Champagne Stakes, 2yo, $400,000, 1 1/16 Miles, Grade I, Belmont Park
Grand Slam, an easy winner of the Grade I Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park, Sept. 21, gets his final race before taking on division leader Favorite Trick in the Nov. 8 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Lining up to take on Grand Slam are Halory Hunter, co-owned by Boston Celtics' coach Rick Pitino, and Teddy Boy, both recent winners of allowance races. Devil's Pride, third in the Futurity, Buddha's Delight, Caution Flag, Lil's Lad and Middlesex Drive make up the remainder of the eight-horse field.

Kelso Handicap, 3&up;, $200,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade II
No strong favorite has emerged for this prep for the Breeders' Cup Mile. Defending champion Same Old Wish returns; he was third in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile. In last year's race, six horses finished within two lengths with runner-up Da Hoss going on to win the Breeders' Cup Mile. Dixie Bayou and Joker, who finished first and third, respectively, in the Grade III Cliff Hanger Handicap, Sept. 26 at The Meadowlands; Belmont Breeders' Cup Handicap winner Fortitude and Boyce, who was third in the Belmont Breeders' Cup.

Lane's End Breeders' Futurity, 2yo, $400,000, 1 1/16 Miles, Grade II, Keeneland
Undefeated Favorite Trick gets his last tuneup before the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the 1 1/16-mile distance is the furthest he has attempted. Trainers Nick Zito and D. Wayne Lukas will send out Laydown and Time Limit, respectively. Laydown defeated Time Limit in the Sept. 13 Grade III Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes at Turfway Park. Excellent Luck, winner of the In Reality Stakes at Calder Racecourse, Oct. 4, is also expected to contend.

Carmel Handicap, 3yo fillies, $100,000g, 1 1/8 Miles Turf, Bay Meadows

Maryland Million Day, 11 races worth a total of $1 million at Laurel Park

Michigan Sire Stakes Day, four $200,000 races at Ladbroke DRC

Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile, 3&up;, $200,000, 1 Mile Turf, Grade III, Santa Anita

Oak Leaf Stakes, 2yo fillies, $200,000, 7 Furlongs, Grade I, Santa Anita

Princess Elizabeth Stakes, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 1 1/16 Miles, Woodbine

Beldame Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $400,000, 1 1/8 Miles, Grade I, Belmont Park
A strong field is expected for the Beldame, including Hidden Lake, winner of three straight graded stakes races, and Jewel Princess, winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff. They will face strong challenges from Coaching Club American Oaks winner Ajina, Ruffian Handicap victor Tomisue's Delight, Mil Kilates and Royal Indy.

Frizette Stakes, 2yo fillies, $400,000, 1 1/16 Miles, Grade I, Belmont Park
Silver Maiden, undefeated after four starts and the winner of the Grade II Arlington Washington Lassie Stakes. Sept. 27, heads the field. Her main competiton is expected to come from Diamond on the Run and Carrielle, second and third, respectively, in the Grade I Matron Stakes at Belmont, Sept. 21. Other possible startes include Fasahah, Joustabout, Raemali K. and Well Chosen.

Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup, 3&up; (f&m;), $125,000, 1 1/16 Miles, Grade II, Santa Anita
Three-year-old Sharp Cat returns to the races after a 3 1/2-month layoff. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee last ran in the Grade II Hollywood Oaks, July 6, winning by three lengths. She'll face six-year-old Twice the Vice, who has two stakes wins in three attempts this year, unbeaten three-year-old filly Relaxing Rhythm and graded stakes winner Real Connection.

Norfolk Stakes, 2yo, $200,000g, 1 Mile, Grade II, Santa Anita
Souvenir Copy and Old Topper, who were separated by a nose in the Grade II Del Mar Futurity, Sept. 10, will meet again in the Norfolk Stakes. Souvenir Copy has won 2-of-3 career starts while Old Topper has been first or second in 5-of-6 lifetime races, winning the Grade III Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar. Double Honor, fourth in the Del Mar Futurity and winner of the Grade III Sapling Stakes, is also expected.

Canadian International Handicap, 3&up;, $1,000,000, 1 1/2 Miles Turf, Grade I, Woodbine
Sam-Son Farms entry of Chief Bearhart and Desert Waves, both multiple stakes winners, are the 9-5 favorites Canadian International. Chief Bearhart won the Sky Classic Stakes at Woodbine, Sept. 28. Desert Waves is expected to be out front while Chief Bearhart, considered the stronger half of the entry, will be running late. Romanov, third in the Epsom Derby, and Group I winner Strategic Choice, represent Europe. Strategic Choice has raced in England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan and Turkey in his four seasons on the track, and was a champion in England and Ireland in 1995 and Italy in 1996. He was third in last year's Japan Cup, beaten 1 1-4 lengths by Singspiel (IRE). Also expected are Down the Aisle, and Crown Attorney.

E. P. Taylor Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $300,000, 1 1/4 Miles Turf, Grade II, Woodbine

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

Forest Hills Handicap, 3&up;, $200,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade II, Belmont Park

Frank Arsenault Memorial Handicap, 2yo, $100,000,1 Mile Turf, Grade II, Hawthorne

Jamaica Handicap, 3yo, $150,000, 1 1/8 Miles Turf, Grade II, Belmont Park

Phoenix Breeders' Cup, 3&up;, $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Keeneland