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

RUSSELL BAZE HITS 6,000-WIN MARK

Jockey Russell Baze became the 12th rider in history to reach the 6,000-win plateau when he rode Clover Hunter to a 12-length victory in the fourth race at Golden Gate Fields, in Albany, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 3. Baze joins Bill Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay Jr., David Gall, Pat Day, Angel Cordero Jr., Jorge Velasquez, Chris McCarron, Sandy Hawley, Larry Snyder, Carl Gambardella and John Longden in the exclusive 600-victory club.

PAT BYRNE NAMED UTTA TRAINER OF THE YEAR

Patrick Byrne, who won two Breeders' Cup races with probable champions Favorite Trick and Countess Diana, was named 1997 Trainer of the Year by the United Thoroughbred Trainers of America. Byrne has 50 wins from 136 starts through Nov. 30 for a 38 percent winning ratio, and his stable had won 17 stakes race (13 graded) from 39 starts. The UTTA awards dinner is scheduled for Feb. 3, 1998 at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La.

DANCE DESIGN BRINGS RECORD $4.4 MILLION AT AUCTION

Just four days after paying a record 2.5 million guineas ($4.42 million) for a weanling at the Tattersalls December sale in Newmarket, England, Satish Sanan's Padua Stables bought Irish champion filly Dance Design for the same price during Wednesday's session. The four-year-old won seven of 16 career starts and was last in the Breeders' Cup Turf just six days after running seventh in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes.

The previous record price for a filly or mare sold in Europe was 1.7 million guineas for Luna Wells at the same sale last year.

CHURCHILL DOWNS SETS UP NEW BUSINESSES

Churchill Downs announced the formation of two business ventures: Tracknet, which will focus on consolidating telecommunications services the simulcast wagering business; and EquiSource, which will provide expertise in group purchasing and supply chain management.

Tracknet, which was formed in May when Churchill joined with CEDCO, a Kentucky-based telecommunications company, has contracts to provide services to seven tracks, which include an audit of a company's telecommunications needs, implementation and oversight of the recommendations and the use of a sophisticated delivery system for data and long-distance services.

EquiSource, a pairing of Churchill and the group purchasing company UniStar, will assist the equine industry in analysis of procurement, materials management assessment, supplier research, logistics support and information systems strategy.

Churchill is a 40 percent partner in both companies. The track has formed Churchill Downs Investment Company, which will oversee investments in which the company participates as an equity investor and in which neither the company nor any of its subsidiaries actively manage the operations, including Tracknet and EquiSource.

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, in Omaha, Neb., on the simulcast of the 11th race from the Fair Grounds. The previous record for a payoff on a $2 wager was set June 17, 1912, when Wishing Ring paid $1,885.50.

Dec. 10, 1977: In his second year of riding, Steve Cauthen became the first jockey to win $6 million in a single season when he rode a three-year-old filly, Little Happiness, to victory in the sixth race at Aqueduct. Cauthen was dubbed 'The Six Million Dollar Man' and 'Stevie Wonder' by his admirers and was named 1977 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, the Associated Press, ABC's 'Wide World of Sports' and The Sporting News. He also received three Eclipse Awards, being voted an award of merit in addition to earning top honors as both a journeyman and apprentice jockey.

Dec. 11, 1983: John Henry became the first racehorse to surpass $4 million in career earnings when he won the Hollywood Turf Cup with jockey Chris McCarron at Hollywood Park.

Garland of Roses Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $50,000, 6 Furlongs, Aqueduct

My Charmer Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-8 Miles Turf, Calder

Vernon O. Underwood Stakes, 3&up;, $100,000, 6 Furlongs, Grade III, Hollywood

Star of Texas Stakes, 3&up;, $75,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Sam Houston

Martanza Handicap, 3&up;, $75,000, 1 Mile, Sam Houston

Kingarvie Stakes, 2yo, $75,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Woodbine

Bayakoa Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-16 Miles, Grade II, Hollywood