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News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Inc. (TRC) (212.371.5911..)  SPECIAL EDITIONNEWS, NAMES AND NOTES WHATS IN A NAME? FEATURES SPEAK UP FOR RACING PLUS ADVISORIES:The Meadowlands will host the post position draw and a media teleconference previewing Saturdays $1 million Buick Pegasus Handicap on Thursday, Sept. 18. The connections of Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold, Anet, Frisk Me Now and Behrens will be available to answer questions. The teleconference will begin at noon. Members of the media may call (800) 829-0786 to participate in the call. Additional information about the post position draw and/or the teleconference can be obtained by calling (201) 460-4050. The New York Racing Association will provide satellite newsfeeds before and after Saturdays $500,000 Woodward Stakes. On Thursday, the newsfeed will include interviews and B-roll from trainers and jockeys. It will be available on Gal-axy 6, Transponder 21 from 2:30-3:00 p.m. EDT. On Saturday, the newsfeed will feature post-race interviews and will be available from 6:00-6:30 p.m. EDT. Additional information about the newsfeeds may be obtained by contacting John Lee, NYRA Broadcast Services, at (718) 641-4700, Ext. 4464. NEWS, NAMES AND NOTES MARK WILSON TO SERVE AS INTERIM CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER FOR NTRA The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced on Sept. 10 the appointment of R. D. Hubbard Enter-prises president Mark Wilson, a former Churchill Downs vice president, as interim chief planning officer. Wilson joins interim chief operating officer Nick Nicholson and NTRA interim president D. G. Van Clief Jr. "Clearly, weve reached the stage where some areas need more than part-time attention," Van Clief said. "Nowhere is this truer than in the complex and intensive process of developing the business plan. I can think of no better person to help us through this critical stage than Mark, and I am grateful to Dee Hubbard and his organization for making him available." Van Clief said additional announcements concerning the planning process should be expected soon. Wilson, chairman of the NTRA Legislative Task Force, is charged with working closely with the American Horse Council on federal issues and preparing an analysis of all relevant legislative matters on a state-by-state basis, as a service to the industry at large. He is also a serving member of the NTRA technology working group. "In my view, the substance and timing of the NTRA initiative is a perfect fit to put racing back among the leaders in professional sports," he said. "Our challenge is to quantify short-term and mid-term benefits for all segments of the indus-try. These are what make the process both justified and necessary. And I am willing to work very hard to see if we, as an industry, can produce them." Hubbard Enterprises is a diversified racing, gaming, and real estate company with interests which include New Mex-icos Ruidoso Downs racetrack and Oregons Multnomah Kennel Club. Wilson is responsible for the companys public policy, operations, and developmental activities. The native Kentuckian has been involved in racing and gaming industry for 14 years. Formerly vice president and counsel to Churchill Downs, he maintains a practice with the Louisville, Ky., law firm of Brown, Toddand Heyburn, and played a major role in securing favorable racing legislation in New Mexico and Oregon. TOBA PLEASED WITH FINAL "AMERICAS DAY" NUMBERS The final attendance and handle figures for the first Americas Day at the Races have been collected and they prove that the Labor Day promotion was a success. Twelve of the 17 tracks comparing Labor Day attendance between 1996 and 1997 saw increases in 97 while 10 of the 18 reporting handle figures for both years saw increases on Americas Day. Charles Town Races (149 percent), Rockingham Park (47 percent) and Louisiana Downs (21 percent) were among those showing the most dramatic gains in attendance, while Calder Racecourse (70 percent), Ruidoso Downs (34 percent) and Penn National (24 percent) showed the most dramatic handle increases. "We are pleased with the results of the inaugural Americas Day promotion," said TOBA president Drew Couto. "It was a privilege to work with the tracks, horsemen and other supporting groups who helped us launch Americas Day at the Races and we look forward to creating an even better event in 1998 with their continued cooperation." MARYLAND WRITERS TO HONOR HICKEY, CAPUANO AND PRADO The Maryland Racing Writers will honor three Maryland racing personalities and kick off festivities for the 12th Maryland Million when the organization holds its annual Crab Feast Friday, Sept. 26 in the clubhouse at Pimlico Race-course in Baltimore. The honorees are longtime racing publicist and farm manager Joe Hickey; trainer Gary Capuano, who sent Captain Bodgit to second- and third-place finishes, respectively, in this years Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes; and jockey Edgar Prado, who leads the nation in races-won this year with more than 360 victories. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the Backstretch Scholarship Fund. The 12th running of the Maryland Million will be Saturday, Oct. 18 at Laurel Park. SECRETARIAT FINISHES TWELFTH IN THIS POLL Nobody Beats The Wiz, the New York metropolitan area music and electronics retailer, recently sponsored "New Yorks Top 100 Sports Moments," which culminated with a dinner at The Theatre in Madison Square Garden on Sept. 11, where the Top 20 events were announced. The number one event was the New York Jets 16-7 victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Secretariats 31-length triumph in the 1973 Belmont Stakes, making him the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, was rated as the 12th top moment by the 100,000 voters. SIMULCASTING AWARD PRESENTED TO CHURCHILL DOWNS Churchill Downs was honored with the National Simulcast Award, presented at the National Simulcast Conference held Sept. 8-10 in San Antonio, Texas. The conference was co-sponsored by Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Harness Tracks of America and American Quarter Horse Racetrack Association. The Churchill Downs simulcast presentation was chosen from among 16 entries representing horse and greyhound racing. Entries featured pre-race segments, including odds and probable pay-offs; handicapping commentaries; the race itself; and results and post-race features. "This award reflects the quality of our simulcast coverage as well as the strength of the Churchill Downs racing prod-uct," said Thomas H. Meeker, president and chief executive officer of Churchill Downs. "Our success in simulcasting is closely linked to the quality of live racing, which is a team effort between the track and horsemen. We all share in this honor." NOTES: The American Bus Association has named the Kentucky Sampler, a festival of crafts, food, music and horses that is held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., as one of its Top 100 Events in North America for 1998. The Sam-pler, scheduled for June 6-7, is the only event in Kentucky to be chosen for next years roster of "must-dos."John Campo Jr., who served apprenticeships under his father, trainer Johnny Campo, as well as Billy Badgett and Barclay Tagg over the past 13 years, has opened a public stable. The elder Campo, who earned the national limelight in 1981 with his bold but correct predictions that Pleasant Colony would win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, has been battling health problems in recent years. John Jr., 30, said that his father "is doing a lot better" and he hopes that he will be a fre-quent visitor to the barnFormer jockey and trainer Heliodoro Gustines, who won the 1968 Belmont Stakes aboard Stage Door Johnny and rode Forego for most of the geldings career, is scheduled to open a new restaurant in the Glendale sec-tion of Queens, N.Y., this week. The restaurants name is Belmont SteakMiguel Figueroa, a 33-year-old apprentice jockey from Derry, N.H., died Saturday Sept. 13 at the Berkshire Medical Center from injuries suffered in a racing accident the day before at the Great Barrington (Mass.) FairgroundsBritish-based jockey Pat Eddery won his 4,000th career race aboard Silver Patriarch (IRE) in the Pertemps St. Leger Stakes, Saturday, Sept. 13. He joins only two other British riders, Sir Gordon Richards and Lester Piggott, in the 4,000-wins classWalter Swinburn, the jockey of last years Breeders Cup Turf winner Pilsudski (IRE), temporarily gave up his riding career in the wake of weight problems and erratic personal conduct, but now says hes ready to return to race-riding next spring. "If I had continued my old lifestyle, it would have killed me," he said. "I just hit a brick wall." PERSONNEL: Breeders Cup Ltd. has announced that Dan Metzger, formerly the companys director of communica-tions, will now hold the title of director of marketing services and licensing. Jamie Miller, formerly a ticketing assistant, has assumed the title of ticketing operations manager. WHATS IN A NAME? FRIENDS LET IT RIDE AND GAIN A WEALTH OF PLEASURE FROM RACING Let It Ride, a 1989 film starring Richard Dreyfuss as a frenetic, fanatical horseplayer whose personal life always places behind a winning day at the track, gave inspiration to five Thoroughbred owners a few years ago when they needed a nom de course for a racing stable they planned to form. Let It Ride Stable began as a simple shorthand for the names of Barry Abrams and his brother David Abrams, who were partners with Victor Johnson, Jack Makkashian and Tom Roberts in the venture, but now the zany, unpredictable (and ultimately happy) turns of fate experienced by the Dreyfuss character seem more and more to reflect the groups experiences in Thoroughbred ownership. Let It Ride Stables first purchase last year was a relatively modest one, $40,000 for a then-two-year-old filly named Famous Digger, purchased by Barry Abrams, who is also the horses trainer. Famous Digger was 0-for-6 before breaking her maiden, but the partners had a simple goal: buy a horse, enjoy the sensation of ownership, then sell out at the end of the year, using the money from the sale to purchase a new horse and experience a new round of excitement. But those who let it ride know that sometimes, fortune is very kind. Famous Digger, once a claimer, moved up steadily, winning the $75,000 Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita in April, the Grade III Honeymoon Handicap at Hollywood Park in May, the $70,000 Variety Queen Handicap in June, the Grade II San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar in July and the Grade I Del Mar Oaks in August. In 15 starts, Famous Digger has a 6-0-3 record and earnings of $410,665. After the Oaks win, the partners were offered $1 million for the filly, but they didnt sell. "We wanted to have fun and thats what were having," said Abrams. "All the money you use to buy a horse doesnt promise a winner." FEATURES CLASS O LAD, A VICTIM OF NASAL SPONGING, ON HIS WAY TO RECOVERY Class O Lad will never race again. The six-year-old Thoroughbred geldings racing career came to an abrupt end when sponges that were stuffed up both of his nostrils some time prior to his last race, June 14 at Churchill Downs, pre-vented the valiant claiming horse from even crossing the finish line. Class O Lads newest challenge wont be met on the racetrack, but on a farm in Goshen, Ky., where he has been fighting for his life after suffering from numerous health prob-lems, including laminitis, as a result of the sponging, which has drawn the attention of Kentucky racing officials, the Ken-tucky Attorney Generals office and investigators from the FBI. Class O Lad, a victim of mankind at its worst, is bringing out the very best in a dedicated group of caretakers and well-wishers. Since early July, Class O Lad has resided at Flying Cross Farm and has been cared for by Mary Lowry and a team of attendants. The gelding is showing signs of improvement. Lowrys farm specializes not only in training event horses and retraining Thoroughbreds for second careers, but also in equine rehabilitation. She took on Class O Lad not only because it is her specialty but because she saw his case as a challenge and felt a responsibility to the horse. "We owe him a chance," she said. "As long as he indicates he wants to be here and can tolerate the pain and remains in good spirits, well keep try-ing with him." Fate also played a role in Class O Lads residence at Flying Cross. "I know one of the people who claimed him on the day of the sponging incident, Mr. Brenzel. He has a filly at my farm and knows the type of care we provide. I knew of this horse because one of my clients, Whitney Davis, had seen [Class O Lad] run and thought hed make a great event horse. She came to me before all this happened and said, Oh Mary, we have to claim this horse. So I was familiar with him. Mr. Brenzel was approached after the incident by several people who offered to take the gelding off his hands and care for him." However, when the laminitis worsened, few were able to treat him. Brenzel had only three options: give the gelding to Lowry; donate him to the University of Kentucky; or have him euthanized. Under Lowrys care, Class O Lad now resides in an airy stall and has special paddock Lowry built just for him off the barn. Lowrys hope is to get the horse well enough that he can be a childs pleasure-riding horse. The next six months, she says, are critical. In the meantime, the popular claimer, who posted 15 wins in 46 starts during his five-year career and earned $186,320, is well remembered by his fans, horse lovers and by members of the equine community, who are con-cerned over Class O Lads welfare. Since an article appeared in the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal newspaper last month, according to Lowry, more than $3,500 has been donated to help save Class O Lad. "Weve been very fortunate to get all kinds of donations, including vet-erinary services, hay, straw, farrier work-its wonderful," she said. Class O Lad also has an equine masseuse and acupunc-turist working on him. And he has plenty of visitors. "Hes turned into quite a ham," Lowry said. "We put chairs outside his stall so people can visit with him." Class O Lad has also received more than 250 cards and letters, which Lowry laminated and hung outside his stall. Lowry and her team are in the process of sending thank you notes to Class O Lads many well-wishers, who come from all age groups. "One child sent drawings. The first showed a big red barn with a gray horse grazing in a big green pasture. The second drawing shows a police officer with gun drawn and a man in a black and white pin-stripe prison uniform wearing handcuffs [ostensibly the sponger getting his/her just rewards]." Lowrys favorite reads, "Dear Mary and Crew, I am a 90-year-old man. When I was younger I had a Quarter Horse named Bob. I know youll understand this [enclosed] $5 is from Bob." Whenever the extraordinary effort of caring for Class O Lad gets the crew "a little down," says Lowry, "we read that letter and it really encourages us. "Many of the letters say how surprised people are to learn that we take such good care of our horses," she added. "I think its important that the public sees how much we care for each horse as an individual; that they arent disposable." Lowry has set up a bank account for Class O Lad because so many people have asked how they can contribute to his care. Donations can be sent to Mary Lowry/FBO Class O Lad, 2114 Liberty Lane, Goshen, Ky., 40026. The prognosis for Class O Lad is guarded, but the geldings health continues to improve. An infection in his right front foot has cleared up; however, he still is suffering from laminitis, an inflammation of the hoof that causes the sensitive lami-nae (which line the inside of the hoof wall and contain blood vessels and nerves) to separate from the coffin bone, which is encased by the hoof. In serious cases, the coffin bone rotates downward into the sole of the horses foot, resulting in extreme pain. The disease progresses rapidly and is often fatal. In Class O Lads case, the right hoof is more serious than the left. The coffin bone rotated 10 degrees in the right hoof and six degrees in the left. But "he seems much better and now stands for half the day," Lowry reported. Lowry is hopeful that she and the team working on Class O Lad can help other horses, based on this experience. And, she says, "I really hope that whoever is responsible for the sponging incident will feel guilty and confess." She is also touched that people recognize the valiance of Class O Lad. "This horse went out to the racetrack every day of his life and ran his heart out. He deserves the best we can give him." For now, that includes the very best medical care, as well as all of the peppermints, fruit, vegetables and yes, pizza, that the horse whom Lowry calls "spoiled rotten," wants. HAWTHORNE AND LOCAL COLLEGE TEAM TO OFFER COURSE ON RACING Hawthorne Racecourse and Morton College are joining forces to offer a continuing education class for the horse rac-ing enthusiast, called Introduction to Thoroughbred Racing. The class is offered by Morton College, in Cicero, Ill., and will be taught evenings at Hawthorne by the tracks television handicapper, Joe Kristufek. The class will meet Tuesday nights at Hawthorne from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. beginning Oct. 7, and will run through Nov. 4. Guests, such as leading trainers, the state veterinarian and steward, the racing secretary and several local riders, will speak weekly in the class. A full-day trip to the track on Nov. 15 is also scheduled to give students a tour of the stable area, racing office, stewards stand and placing judges stand. They will also handicap the days card. "Were trying to educate people about horse racing beyond the handicapping factor," explained Kristufek. "By offering this course, I believe we are doing just that. Id like to have as many younger people involved in this class to help expose the next generation to racing. We need to open new options to those who want to learn about the sport. What I want to do is teach people about the entire game, training, jockeys, the rules, how the racing office operates and how the whole game is put together from top to bottom." The class will be limited to 30 students. If it is deemed a success, a second course may be offered later in the year. In-terested students can register at Morton College, 3801 S. Central in Cicero. Cost is $40. For more information contact Joe Kristufek in the Hawthorne Press Box at (708) 780-3671. SPEAK UP FOR RACINGJack Engelhard Occupation: Novelist TRC: How did you first get interested in Thoroughbred racing? JE: When we moved to Cherry Hill, N.J., Id pass by Garden State Park and wonder what went on behind those gates. One day, my former brother-in-law asked me to go and make a bet for him. I went through those gates and it was like a flash of lightning to me. I saw all these gorgeous horses and dazzling jockeys and I said to myself, "Oh my God, what is this?" Eventually, I started going around barn to barn introducing myself to horsemen. Most of them were very friendly. I was fascinated to meet some of the grooms and see how they treated the horses more like pets than racehorses. . . . It was also interesting to see and hear the jockeys talking to trainers in the morning [trying to line up mounts]. You hear them say, Yes, sir and No, sir in this gentlemanly manner. Its like old-time America in the best sense. The intrigue and romance of the sport has never left me and its as strong now as it was in 1965. I still like going out to watch the morning exercises. My wife and kids love it too and they come with me. TRC: What are some of the aspects of the sport that appeal to you? JE: Theres just no sport more thrilling than horse racing and no athletes more courageous than jockeys. Jockeys share the same locker room even though they are competing against each other and if youve been in one of those locker rooms, you realize the respect they have for each others lives because they know how dangerous their profession is. TRC: How did The Horsemen come about? JE: Well, at that time, [jockey] Walter Blum was approaching his 4,000th win and my wife suggested I do a story or a book on him. So it started out as a biography of him, but the more people I met at the track, the more I wanted to include in the book. I used Walter Blum as the hook and tried to describe the racing world in an entertaining fash-ion. It wasnt a bestseller, but it got a terrific response within the racing industry. John Forsythe said it was the best book about horse racing that hed ever read. It had just gone to press when Secretariat won the Triple Crown, so I had to add another chapter. I still remember [trainer] Jimmy Croll and [the horse] Mr. Prospector that year. Croll told me once that if Mr. Prospector didnt have leg problems, we never would have heard of Secretariat. TRC: Do you read many racing-related novels yourself? JE: Of course, theres Dick Francis, but I havent read too many others. A friend of mine recently gave me The Geta-way Blues [by William Murray] and Im enjoying that. TRC: Do you look at a visit to the racetrack as an escape from the pressures of writing or are you looking for ideas there as well? JE: Im always looking for ideas. Going to the track is an escape, but that seems to diminish it somehow. I find a de-gree of fulfillment at the track and theres a certain camaraderie at the track. You can make friends whether youre hanging out in the clubhouse, standing at the rail in the grandstand or sitting up in the dining room, so I consider it part of my social life. Many of our friends are racing people. TRC: Have you been to many other racetracks around the country? JE: Not as many as I should have. Mostly, its been Garden State, Monmouth Park, Atlantic City Racecourse [all in New Jersey] and the New York tracks. I did something on [Hall of Fame jockey] Steve Cauthen at the height of his career and spent some time at Belmont Park. TRC: Have you had a favorite horse through the years? JE: Forego was my favorite and that race [the 1976 Marlboro] when he beat Honest Pleasure was the greatest race I ever saw in my life. If Secretariat had run as a four-year-old, I dont think he would have dominated the handicap division with Forego around. I also liked Dr. Fager and Run the Gauntlet. I liked a horse who used to win going wire-to-wire. His name was Mr. Correlation and he was trained by Danny Perlsweig. . . . And Secretariat has to be included too. Even now when I see that old, grainy black-and-white footage of him romping home in the Belmont Stakes, it does something to me. TRC: What could racing do to attract more fans? JE: If you look at old attendance statistics, youll find that in the 70s, Garden State would have 25,000-30,000 people there every weekend and at least 10,000 on weekdays. You know what the [on-track] attendance looks like these days. What are the casinos doing right that the tracks are doing wrong? All their giveaways and hospitality are geared to one thing: getting people into the casino. I often hear the argument that racing is losing bettors to the ca-sinos, but I see it conversely. Back in the 70s, you might have had hundreds of thousands of people who gambled regularly. But the gambling market has expanded 10,000-fold and now you have millions of people who gamble. The sport is losing a whole generation and those people are missing out on a great sport. The sports pages are hos-tile toward racing and youre always fighting for [column] inches. The only way to get around that is to advertise. What seems to work right now is that big names bring people out. At Saratoga [Racecourse], you have top jockeys, top trainers and top horses and people come out to the races. RACING TO HISTORY Sept. 17, 1973: Penny Chenery announced that Secretariat would make his inaugural start on the turf in the Oct. 8 Man o War Stakes at Belmont Park. Sept. 18, 1920: Carrying the top weight of his career, 138 pounds, three-year-old Man o War won the Potomac Handicap, conceding 24 pounds to his nearest rival, Paul Jones, and 30 pounds to the second-place finisher, Wildair. Sept. 18, 1943: The U.S. Army occupied the grounds of Hollywood Park as part of the war effort. Sept. 19, 1943: Rider Eddie Arcaro returned to racing after a 12-month suspension that resulted from his attempt to injure a fellow rider in the Cowdin Stakes the previous year. Sept. 19, 1942: Alsab, runner-up in the 1942 Kentucky Derby, beat 3-10 favorite Whirlaway, the 1941 Triple Crown champion, by a nose in a $25,000 match race at Narragansett Park. The match was arranged after Alsab was scratched from the Narragansett Special, a race won by Whirlaway one week earlier. Narragansetts president, James Dooley, offered to contribute the tracks share of the mutuel handle, plus breakage, to the Army and Navy Relief Funds, making attendance at the race a patriotic gesture. Alsab and Whirlaway met twice more that year, with Whirlaway winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 3, and Alsab besting him in the New York Handicap on Oct. 10. Sept. 20, 1965: Jockey Jorge Velasquez made his American racing debut, riding for owner Fred W. Hooper, at Atlan-tic City Racecourse. He won with his first mount, aboard Keypoint, in the sixth race, at 8-1 odds. Sept. 20,1976: Two-year-old Seattle Slew made his racing debut, winning a six furlong maiden race by five lengths at Belmont Park. His zesty workouts prior to the race made Seattle Slew the 2-1 favorite and he was the publics choice in both his subsequent races that year. After only three starts (including the Champagne Stakes) in the space of 27 days, Seattle Slew was voted champion two-year-old colt for 1976. Sept. 20, 1980: Before a crowd of 23,000 spectators, four-year-old Spectacular Bid won the Woodward Stakes in the worlds richest walkover. To the surprise of trainer Bud Delp and owners Harry, Teresa and Tom Meyerhoff, "Bid" was awarded only $73,300, which was half of the winners share of the purse, but all that was allowable under the tracks rules. There had not been a walkover in a major U.S. stakes race since Coaltown won the Edward Burke Handicap on April 23, 1949. Sept. 21, 1938: A hurricane disrupted racing at Rockingham Park, which ended the days program after the sixth race. Thirteen barns were destroyed during the storm. Sept. 21, 1940: For the first time in the history of photo finishes a triple dead heat for first place was recorded, at Wil-lows Park, Victoria, British Columbia. Sept. 21, 1973: Secretariat had his first workout on a turf course, going a half-mile in 48 3/5 at Belmont Park. Sept. 22, 1988: Stuart Symington Janney Jr., owner of Ruffian, died at age 81. Sept. 22, 1996: Larry Ross trained the top four finishers in a seven-horse field for the Washington HBPA Stakes at Emerald Downs. Sept. 24, 1943: The Jockey Club announced the creation of The Jockey Club Foundation, which was established to aid indigent members of the racing community. Sept. 25, 1866: Jerome Park, named for its founder, Leonard W. Jerome, opened in the Bronx, N.Y. The track was a magnet for New Yorks fashionable society, and the first to attract women in large numbers. Even the racehorses were fashionable, with ribbons of their owners colors braided into their manes and tails. Jerome, seeking to emulate the British racing system, also established the American Jockey Club, precursor to the present Jockey Club, formed in 1894. Sept. 25, 1948: Fans at Atlantic City Racecourse filed onto the track after the 3-2 favorite in the fourth race, Even Break, dwelt in the starting gate as the race went off. A total of $71,414 was refunded to the angry crowd of bettors. Sept. 26, 1942: The Jockey Club stewards revoked Eddie Arcaros license for one year after his display of "rough rid-ing" aboard odds-on favorite Occupation in the Cowdin Stakes on Sept. 19. In the Cowdin, Arcaro deliberately drove his horse into another, Breezing Home, knocking his jockey, Vincent Nodarse, into the infield. Nodarse and his mount had crowded Arcaro at the start of the race, almost causing him to be unseated. Sept. 27, 1894: Aqueduct Racetrack opened its doors. The building was torn down in 1955 and the new Aqueduct was reopened on Sept. 14, 1959. Sept. 27, 1924: In the second his three specially staged International races, the French colt Epinard was again de-feated, this time by a nose to Ladkin, at Aqueduct. A crowd of 40,000 witnessed the race. Sept. 27, 1947: Armed, then the worlds leading money-winning Thoroughbred, met 1946 Kentucky Derby winner As-sault in the first $100,000 winner-take-all match race, held at Belmont Park. Armed earned an easy victory over Assault, who was not in peak racing condition. BIRTHDAYS: Jockey Eddie Delaoussaye turns 46 on Sept. 21; ABC sportscaster and Thoroughbred owner Jim McKay will be 76 on Sept. 24. RACING ON THE AIR THOROUGHBRED WORLD IN SEPTEMBER Thoroughbred World is produced by PHoenix Communications in association with Thoroughbred Racing Communications and is available on many regional sports cable networks. During the month of September on Thoroughbred World: A Hall of Fame day for jockey Gary Stevens; making on-line connections with the Virtual Owners Partnership; fans learn their lessons at handicapping school; speaking up for the NTRA; and Caton Bredar hosts the "The Equibasics of Racing" segment. The following are the cable networks and their air times for SeptemberALL TIMES EASTERN. The PRIME Network feed of Thoroughbred World can be seen by those who own satellite dishes on SATCOM C3, Transponder 11, on the following dates (all times Eastern): Sept. 2, 2:30 p.m.; Sept. 11, 2:30 a.m.; Sept. 12, 8:30 p.m.; Sept. 19, 6 p.m.; Sept. 26, 2 p.m. Empire Sports Network: Sept. 2, 2:30 p.m.; Sept. 26, 2 p.m. UPCOMING NATIONALLY TELEVISED RACING (All times Eastern) Sept. 17 Eddie Arcaros Derbies 5:30-6:00 a.m. ESPN Week 29 of the 1997 TRC NATIONAL THOROUGHBRED POLL, based on the votes of sports and Thoroughbred racing media. The Top Ten are listed in the following expanded chart each week in TRC Media Update. (Statistics courtesy of The Jockey Club Information Systems Equine Line.) POLL 1997 RECORD HORSE Pts,1st Owner Sts-1-2-3 LAST START (Finish, Field size) Pedigree Last Week Trainer Earnings (Date, Distance, Track) 1-GENTLEMEN (ARG) 209,20 Andrea E. Stable & R.D. Hubbard 5-4-0-1 Pacific Classic (1st, 5) 5H by Robin des Bois-Elegant Glance 1st Richard Mandella $2,110,300 (8/9, 1 < M, Dmr) 2-TOUCH GOLD 181,0 Frank Stronach & Stonerside Farm 5-4-0-0 Haskell Invitational (1st, 5) 3C by Deputy Minister-Passing Mood 2nd David Hofmans $1,462,313 (8/3, 1 1/8 M, Mth) 3-SILVER CHARM 137,1 Bob & Beverly Lewis 6-3-3-0 Belmont S. (2nd, 7) 3C by Silver Buck-Bonnies Poker 3rd Bob Baffert $1,598,750 (6/7, 1 = M, Bel) 4-MARLIN 126,0 Michael Tabor 9-4-0-2 Arlington Million (1st, 8) 4C by Sword Dance (IRE)-Syrian Summer 4th D. Wayne Lukas $1,503,600 (8/24, 1 < MT, AP) 5-SIPHON (BRZ) 117,0 Rio Claro Thoroughbreds 5-2-3-0 Pacific Classic (2nd, 5) 6H by Itajara (BRZ)-Ebrea (BRZ) 5th Richard Mandella $1,961,000 (8/9, 1 < M, Dmr) 6-FORMAL GOLD 97,0 John Murphy Sr. 8-3-2-1 Philip H. Iselin H. (1st, 4) 4C by Black Tie Affair (IRE)-Ingoldsby 6th William Perry $898,500 (8/23, 1 1/16 M, Mth) 7-FREE HOUSE 67,0 Trudy McCaffery & John Toffan 9-3-2-3 Haskell Invitational (3rd, 5) 3C by Smokester-Fountain Lake 7th Paco Gonzalez $1,336,910 (8/3, 1 1/8 M, Mth) 8-WILLS WAY 60,0 Rudlein Stable 4-2-1-1 Whitney H. (1st, 6) 4C by Easy Goer-Willamae 8th H. James Bond $336,400 (8/2, 1 1/8 M, Sar) 9-SKIP AWAY 35,0 Carolyn Hine 8-2-4-2 Philip H. Iselin H. (2nd, 4) 4C by Skip Trial-Ingot Way 9th Sonny Hine $1,101,000 (8/23, 1 1/16 M, Mth) 10-HIDDEN LAKE 34,0 Robert Clay 7-3-1-1 Go for Wand S. (1st, 7) 4F by Quiet American-Friendly Circle 10th John Kimmel $457,600 (7/27, 1 1/8 M, Sar) OTHER HORSES RECEIVING VOTES Favorite Trick-25, Sandpit (BRZ)-16, Twice the Vice-11, Smoke Glacken-9, Memories of Silver-8, Blushing K.D.-5, Honor Glide-4, Tale of the Cat-4, Windsharp-4, Countess Diana-3, Deputy Commander-2, Anet-1, RACETRACK ABBREVIATION KEY APArlington International Racecourse; BelBelmont Park; DmrDel Mar; MthMonmouth Park; SarSaratoga Racecourse |
