ADVISORY: Though an extended agreement with teleconference sponsor VISA, Thoroughbred Racing Communications will host teleconference calls on May 14 and May 26, previewing the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

The May 14 call, featuring Stuart Janney III and Shug McGaughey, owner and trainer, respectively, of Preakness hopeful Coronado’s Quest, begins at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern) and can accessed by calling (913) 981-5549.

The May 26 call begins at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern) and can be accessed at (913) 981-5508. For information or to request a replay of a teleconference tape, contact TRC at (212) 371-5910.

TRC will provide Preakness Stakes-related radio feeds to networks and stations, starting the evening of Wednesday, May 13 after the post position draw and continuing through the post-race press conference Saturday, May 16. The TRC phone number at Pimlico Racecourse is (410) 542-5703. To request a feed call TRC at Pimlico or at (212) 371-5910.

TRC’s twice-weekly releases are available on the following web sites. Some post Thursday’s TRC Thoroughbred Notebook, others have Tuesday’s TRC Media Update and some have both.

Equibase Company: (www.equibase.com/home.html) under "Media and Press Information"

The Blood-Horse: (www.bloodhorse.com/news/index.html)

CBS Sportsline: (www.sportsline.com) under "More Sports," "Horse Racing," then via any news story

ESPN Sportszone: (espnet.sportszone.com/horse/)

The Running Horse, with a complete archive of Notebooks: (www.isd1.com/)

All TRC releases can be e-mailed for immediate delivery. In addition, Media Update can be formatted for most PC-based word processors (as well as Word for Macintosh). Contact Howard Bass at TRC, (212) 371-5913, or at Damascus@worldnet.att.net, with your name and affiliation to receive your newsletters via e-mail.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Commissioner Tim Smith, in delivering the keynote speech at the 64th annual convention of the Racing Commissioners International (RCI) in Palm Springs, Calif., Monday, May 11, called for a cooperative approach among racing regulators and other leaders to grow the sport and the huge American agribusiness it affects. Smith’s address to the RCI members—racing commissioners from throughout North America and the Caribbean—was his first before a major racing-based organization since his appointment as NTRA Commissioner on April 21.

Headlining a convention speakers lineup that also included Jay Hickey of the American Horse Council, standout trainers Richard Mandella and D. Wayne Lukas, as well as NTRA board member R.D. Hubbard, Smith highlighted the potential of the NTRA in working proactively and cooperatively on vital regulatory and legislative measures.

"A few natural areas for special cooperation suggest themselves, "Smith said. "License fee reduction seems plainly necessary in a number of states if Thoroughbred racing and other parimutuels are to withstand the onslaught of new, less-costly gaming alternatives."

Commissioner Smith continued: "Greater cooperation in legal simulcast distribution across state lines, via both traditional and new media delivery systems is another potential mutual goal."

A third area drew special attention from the commissioner: "Certain things in any sport are bedrock: Competitive integrity is one of those things. As the only national sport with legal wagering, you as regulators, we at the NTRA, and everyone else associated in any way with the Thoroughbred business arguably have an even greater interest than other sports in this core value."

"This particular area is not just about fairness and ‘protecting the field,’ as we used to talk about in golf. It is about doing what is necessary and smart for business and doing what is required to protect the current $20 plus million per year that the industry is investing in marketing itself to a new generation of fans," Smith added.

Beyond issues such as license fee reduction, simulcast distribution and competitive integrity, Commissioner Smith drew a bigger picture of the NTRA’s potential. He said, "The test of whether the NTRA should be involved in a substantive area should turn on the answer to a relatively simple question: is this an area where the NTRA is best positioned due to its national structure and make-up to do something or to take some action that will make things better for the industry as a whole? If the answer yes, then, within reasonable budget and time constraints, the NTRA should be proactively involved, wherever possible as a leader and always as a catalyst for positive change. If we can contribute to results that serve the best interests of the industry as a whole, we stand ready to work with you [RCI] on issues of enforcement, testing or any similar such area."

"Churchill Downs Proudly Supports The National Thoroughbred Racing Association."

Those nine words—along with the NTRA logo and "Go Baby Go" slogan—appeared in a half-page ad in the Kentucky Derby Day program, but that proclamation may have been the understatement of the year when one considers the effort Churchill Downs put forth to maximize visibility for Thoroughbred racing’s new league office and the NTRA "brand" during the course of Kentucky Derby Week.

Churchill Downs donated to the NTRA two 15-second commercial spots that it would normally use in the 90-minute ABC Sports broadcast. The broadcast was seen by an estimated 20 million people in more than six million homes in the U.S. as well as an international audience.

The track also donated the "track message" segment of ESPN’s extensive pre-Derby coverage Friday and Saturday to the NTRA.

In Louisville and throughout Churchill Downs, the NTRA logo was ubiquitous.

It was on 35 billboards scattered throughout the city.

It was on the sleeves of Kentucky Derby jackets issued to owners and trainers who had Derby horses.

It was on the cover—as well as many inside pages—of the Official Souvenir Magazine of the Kentucky Derby.

A massive NTRA flag waved high above the masses on an infield flagpole, clearly visible not only to those in attendance but also to the millions watching on local, cable and network broadcasts emanating from the track.

The most visible objects at any racetrack are the infield tote boards and Churchill Downs had NTRA signage above them as well.

Churchill Downs made 100 NTRA lapel pins for staff and special guests and even thought to include the NTRA logo on the uniforms of its maintenance staff.

When NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith arrived in Louisville, the Churchill Downs Communications Department made special accommodations for him to meet the media in an early morning briefing at the track’s backstretch press center.

In short, the track did everything it could to promote Thoroughbred racing’s new "brand" and when you draw more than 90,000 fans one day and more than 143,000 the next—as Churchill Downs did for Oaks Day May 1 and Derby Day May 2—the "exposures" are incalculable.

"The Kentucky Derby is Thoroughbred racing’s premier event of the year and Churchill Downs’ management went above and beyond the call of duty in helping us expose the NTRA brand to longtime fans and prospective customers everywhere," explained Tim Smith, the commissioner and chief executive officer of the NTRA. "All of us at the NTRA are deeply grateful for the exposure provided by Churchill Downs."

Tom Meeker, the president and chief executive officer of Churchill Downs and a member of the NTRA board of directors, said that "Churchill Downs is committed to the future of Thoroughbred racing and the success of the NTRA is vital to that future."

No one appreciated the Churchill Downs commitment to the NTRA and the "Go Baby Go" slogan more than Steve Bowen, the director of business development for Merkley Newman Harty, the New York City ad agency that created the slogan.

"The track did a terrific job and provided terrific exposure for the NTRA," he said. "We’re beginning to feel the birthing of a brand and it feels very natural. There’s a new sense of excitement."

Bowen and NTRA officials also noticed that the "Go Baby Go" slogan seems to be gaining momentum.

ABC Sports cameras caught Bob Baffert yelling it as he watched Real Quiet cruise to victory in the Derby and jockey Kent Desormeaux used the phrase as he bantered with fans while he was making his way back to the jockeys’ room after the Derby.

And when Mike Pegram, the owner of Real Quiet, was introduced at the winner’s reception at the Kentucky Derby Museum about one hour after the race, he brought his five-year-old grandson Jacob to the podium and asked him to say a few words.

The boy leaned into the microphone and said "Go Baby Go" and the crowd erupted in applause.

Bowen, who attended the Derby with colleagues from the ad agency, was tickled to hear the slogan on national television, but says "the most important place I heard it was from people in the stands. They were screaming ‘Go Baby Go’ and even quoting lines from one of the commercials when actress Lori Petty says, ‘Pay the lady, pay the lady, pay the lady.’ The campaign is definitely catching people’s imagination."

NTRA officials are confident the Baltimore–Washington market and the New York metropolitan area will both get a healthy dose of the NTRA branding effort when the second and third legs of the Triple Crown—the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore Saturday, May 16 and the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., June 6—are contested.

"We’re building momentum for the NTRA and it’s important that we take advantage of the tremendous visibility the Triple Crown provides," Smith said.

Final wagering statistics on the Kentucky Derby show that Churchill Downs handled a record $88,941,006 on the Derby Day card, an increase of 8.1 percent. The on-track total provided the largest gain, up 8.63 percent to $18,467,859. Attendance at Churchill Downs was 143,215—third highest in Derby history. In 1997, Derby Day wagering totaled $82,194,391 for all sources, with $17,000,634 wagered on track.

Total wagering on the Derby itself was $55,240,673, up 7.25 percent over last year’s $51,537,408. On-track handle on the race was $8,343,844, an increase of 6.81 percent over 1997’s $7,811,619. A total of 1,057 simulcast sites offered betting on the race. Two-thirds (708) were domestic and one-third (349) were international.

The final A.C. Nielsen ratings for ABC Sports’ 90-minute telecast of the May 2 Kentucky Derby were a 6.1 rating and a 18 share, compared to last year’s overnight ratings of 7.1 and a 19 share. Nielsen ratings do not take into account people watching at simulcast centers. A record 1,057 off-track outlets took the Derby simulcast. The Derby outdrew other programming in its time slot, with the deciding game of the Minnesota-Seattle NBA playoff series on NBC receiving a 5.3 rating. The Shell Houston Open Golf drew a 2.2-6, PBA Bowling received a 1.4-4 while the LPGA Title Holders Championship drew a 1.1-3.

Among all sports for the week April 27-May 3, the final 63 minutes of the Derby telecast ranked second, behind the May 3 NBA playoff that featured the Chicago Bulls and the Charlotte Hornets. That game earned an 8.8 rating and a 19 share. A rating point equals 980,00 homes and represents the estimated percent of all TV households of persons tuned to a specific program. Share is the estimated percent of all households using television sets at that time, which are tuned to a specific program.

Parimutuel handle on Thoroughbred racing in North America jumped 6.1 percent in 1997 to $13.3 billion, according to The Jockey Club, which just released the statistics in its annual compilation, The Jockey Club Fact Book. This is the fourth consecutive year that parimutuel handle has risen. According to Jim Peden, a spokesperson for The Jockey Club, the handle statistics were gathered manually by TJC staffers, who called racetracks and requested figures for all-sources handle on each track’s races only. That definition of handle would eliminate double-counting, which arises when money wagered on a simulcast race is counted by the host track as well as the non-host site where the patron actually wagered. Off-track betting accounted for 78 percent of total handle, up from 74.7 percent in 1996.

The Fact Book also includes information on Thoroughbred foal crops, import/export trends for Thoroughbreds, races run, gross purses, distribution of races by purses and distances, field size and starts per horse, races for two-year-olds, auction results and yearling prices, background on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the economic impact of the equine industry, international racing, and a state-by-state directory of racing organizations.

Below is the expanded NTRA 2Day at the Races programming schedule. The list includes openings for a total of 17 programs, which will be pared to 15 as scheduling conflicts are resolved. All times are Eastern.

May 23 NTRA 2Day at the Races 7:30-8:00 p.m. ESPN2

Grand Prairie Gold Cup, Lone Star

National Jockey Club Handicap, Sportsman’s

Honeymoon Handicap, Hollywood

May 25 NTRA 2Day at the Races 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

Dallas Turf Cup, Lone Star

Kentucky Breeders’ Cup, Churchill

Soviet Problem Breeders’ Cup, Golden Gate

Metropolitan Handicap, Belmont

May 30 NTRA 2Day at the Races 5:30-6:00 p.m. ESPN2

Louisville Handicap, Churchill

Sheepshead Bay, Belmont

Azalea Breeders’ Cup, Calder

Massachusetts Handicap, Suffolk

June 7 NTRA 2Day at the Races 7:00-7:30 p.m. ESPN2

Mesquite Mile Breeders’ Cup Stakes, Lone Star

Gamely Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Hollywood

Acorn Stakes, Belmont

June 13 NTRA 2Day at the Races 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

Stephen Foster Handicap, Churchill

Brooklyn Handicap, Belmont

The Baltimore Breeders’ Cup, Pimlico

June 20 NTRA 2Day at the Races 6:00-6:30 p.m. ESPN2

Hempstead Handicap, Belmont

Matchmaker Stakes, Monmouth

Finger Lakes Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Finger Lakes

July 4 NTRA 2Day at the Races 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

USA Stakes, Lone Star

Lone Star Handicap, Lone Star

Cornhusker Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Prairie Meadows

Independence Breeders’ Cup, Louisiana Downs

Molly Pitcher Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Monmouth

July 12 NTRA 2Day at the Races 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

Dwyer Stakes, Belmont

Penn National Distaff Handicap, Penn National

July 18 NTRA 2Day at the Races 4:30-5:00 p.m. ESPN2

River Downs Breeders’ Cup Handicap, River Downs

New York Handicap, Belmont

Oceanport Handicap, Monmouth

Aug. 1 NTRA 2Day at the Races 5:00-5:30 p.m. ESPN2

Test Stakes, Saratoga

Salvator Mile Handicap, Monmouth

Budweiser Emerald Handicap, Emerald Downs

Aug. 2 NTRA 2Day at the Races 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

Go for Wand Stakes, Saratoga

Philadelphia Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Philadelphia Park

Eddie Read Handicap, Del Mar

Aug. 9 NTRA 2Day at the Races 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

Jim Dandy Stakes, Saratoga

Thistledown Breeders’ Cup, Thistledown

Jock LaBelle Memorial Stakes, Delaware Park

Sept. 26 NTRA 2Day at the Races 4:00-4:30 p.m. ESPN2

Vosburgh Stakes, Belmont

Louisiana Downs Handicap, Louisiana Downs

Turfway Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Turfway Park

Oct. 3 NTRA 2Day at the Races 5:00-5:30 p.m. ESPN2

Flower Bowl Invitational Handicap, Belmont

Oct. 4 NTRA 2Day at the Races 5:30-6:00 p.m. ESPN2

Montpelier Stakes, Colonial Downs

All Along Stakes, Colonial Downs

Paterson Stakes, Meadowlands

Mario Benito Memorial Handicap, Penn National

Brandywine Handicap, Delaware Park

Oct. 17 NTRA 2Day at the Races 6:30-7:00 p.m. ESPN2

Princess Rooney Handicap, Calder

Forest Hills Handicap, Belmont

Oct. 18 NTRA 2Day at the Races 7:00-7:30 p.m. ESPN2

Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Derby, Bay Meadows

Canadian International, Woodbine

TBA, Santa Anita

On Thursday, April 30, Jennie Klebsch of Omaha, Neb., winner of the United Thoroughbred Fan Club’s (UTFC) online Kentucky Derby trip contest, arrived in Louisville with her father, Roger, and UTFC Coordinator Dayna Davis. Jennie’s name was chosen in a random drawing held on April 10 at Santa Anita Park. Her name was chosen by eventual Derby-winning jockey, Kent Desormeaux. (See TRC Media Update, v.11, no.8, April 22, 1998).

"The trip was beyond words," said Davis, who was able to coordinate the trip for Jennie because of the generosity of many people in the Thoroughbred industry. "We have such wonderful people in this industry. So many people pulled together to help make this truly ‘a dream come true’ for Jennie. I have so many thank you’s to go out."

According to Jennie, who posted an account of her trip on America Online’s horse racing message boards, being at the Derby was the thrill of a lifetime. The 16-year-old described her visit to Louisville this way:

"There were 121 names in the hat, mine came out, and the rest is history. It was my first time meeting Captain [Bodgit] (I’m president of his fan club), going to the Derby, going to Kentucky period. Prior to this, the furthest east I’d been from Nebraska was Iowa. I’ve got a huge scrapbook of things to help me remember, though it would be very, very hard to forget! We took about 190 pictures, and they turned out really well. Now I have to get them scanned.

"Our box seats for Derby day were right on the rail a dozen yards from the finish line. It was so awesome! More about that later though. Here’s a list of some of the many horses we met in Kentucky:

"Captain Bodgit—totally beautiful and acted like a real gentleman! Barry and Becky Irwin [of Team Valor, the syndicate that raced Captain Bodgit] took us out to Margaux Farm from the airport and a news crew met us at the barn and did a piece on my trip and meeting Captain. He’s even more gorgeous up close! Got tons of pictures of me with Captain.

"Devil His Due—I’ve loved this horse for a long time! He’s at Margaux too and they led him out of his stall so I could pet him for a few minutes. Pictures there too! He’s a great looking horse, and very polite, a little shorter than I thought, though.

"Marquetry—Artax’s sire, and he’s one of the biggest horses I’ve seen! He’s a gorgeous looking horse, has a cute white patch on his knee and was very calm while we visited with him.

"Dare And Go—I didn’t used to like Dare And Go because he snapped Cigar’s [winning] streak, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with him at first sight! He’s a bit feisty, but beautiful and for the most part was very sweet while we petted him.

"Strike the Gold—one of the sweetest horses I met on the whole trip! Strikey was in his stall when we got there, but we went up to the stall to pet him through the bars till the groom got back to bring him out. We petted him on the nose, then he stuck it up in the air and ‘laughed.’ He did that a number of times, he’s so sweet! Then the groom pulled him out and we got to pet him for a while. He’s very kind, and loves people. Beautiful, too!

"Real Quiet—he was ‘real quiet’ when we saw him, seemed very polite and he’s really good-looking too. We went to the Baffert barn Friday and Sunday. ‘Fish’ [as Real Quiet is known] is stabled next to Silver Charm, then Indian Charlie is in the stall next to Charm. We saw Fish gallop Friday morning after Charlie, and he posed for a long time before they finally got him through the gap and onto the track. I think he knew he was [going to] run big in the Derby!

"Indian Charlie—totally gorgeous! We got to see him gallop Friday morning. When he came out to the gap he stopped and stood for a minute, posing for everyone. Then he went out about his work. On Sunday, though [after his third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby], we saw him in his stall and the poor guy! Charlie was just standing at the front of his stall, hanging his head down as far as it would go over the webbing, looking every inch the depressed horse. You had to feel for him! I’m sure he’ll bounce back though.

"Silver Charm—I couldn’t believe it. There I was, standing in front of the stall of a Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Dubai World Cup winner. Charm is so beautiful up close! He’s a bit of a nipper, but he did let us pet him a couple times. We watched him gallop, and I was in heaven!

"Anet—a little frisky when we got to his stall (probably cause he knew dinner time was approaching) but acted pretty polite for us.

"Semoran—we only got a glimpse of him in his stall. He looked really nice, and won his race Saturday after the Derby!

"Favorite Trick—a little horse, but he sure looked like he knew he was a Horse of the Year! We watched him gallop, then followed them back to [trainer Bill] Mott’s barn and saw him get his bath. He’s a very quiet horse, just stood there not moving an inch and enjoyed his bath.

"Victory Gallop—we didn’t get to go up to his stall, but got some cool pictures of him. We saw him Sunday morning, and he looked like he could run all over again! He was in his stall playing around, then came to the front to pose for some pictures. Beautiful horse!

"Cape Town—after Strike the Gold, the sweetest horse I met on our trip! We went to the Lukas barn, and though D. Wayne wasn’t there at the moment, his assistant let us go inside and see Cape Town. I’m not a huge Lukas fan, but I sure fell for ‘Cape’ the second I saw him! He came to the front of the stall and was very sweet! We petted him and rubbed his ears, he enjoyed that! Then I fed him three peppermints—they say it’s his favorite snack. He gobbled them up then politely looked for more. What a sweetheart, and beautiful too!

"Artax—went to Randy Bradshaw’s barn Sunday and saw Artie. He looked extremely tired, he wouldn’t come up the stall door until he was coaxed by his groom, and then stood still while we petted him and got pictures with him. He’s a very good looking horse, and was very sweet. It’s too bad about his race in the Derby [in which he finished 13th]. They said he didn’t come back too bad, just tired, but who could blame him? I got Randy Bradshaw to autograph my hat and then we left after taking a dozen pictures of Artie!

"We went to the backside Friday morning to watch all the workouts—man, was it exhilarating to be there! Facing the Twin Spires, watching the horses pound by on the track, hearing their snorted breaths and quick hoofbeats, seeing all the trainers and big horses—all I can say is WOW! Hope everyone enjoyed the Derby! I know I did! Singing My Old Kentucky Home, then watching the Derby horses pound by just a few yards in front of us—it was total bliss! We went to the Winner’s Circle party in the Derby Museum after the big race, and it was an awesome experience! Saw Jack Nicholson there, and a few other celebs. Bob Baffert and [Real Quiet’s owner] Mike Pegram made speeches—they’re a funny couple of guys! Then Dayna got Bob to come over, take a picture with us, and sign my Derby hat. Can we say, SHOCK? Glad I don’t have a history of fainting. Also got to shake hands with [jockey] Chris McCarron, he was really nice. Looking back now, the whole trip seems like a dream. Glad we took two bazillion pictures to remember it, though!"

On May 11, Turfway Park of Florence, Ky., and Jim Beam Brands Co., announced they had terminated a sponsorship that began in 1982, with the naming of the track’s Jim Beam Stakes, a premier race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. The final Jim Beam Stakes was run March 29.

Turfway, according to its president, Jerry Carroll, will continue to feature the race, which is used as a prep for the Triple Crown. The as-yet-to-be-named race will be run March 27, 1999. Turfway intends to seek a new sponsor for the race, which in 1998 carried a purse of $600,000. "I guarantee the fans of the Jim Beam Stakes and Turfway Park that there will be a first-class racing event at Turfway five weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby in 1999," Carroll said. "It will simply have a new name."

The Jim Beam sponsorship is believed to be the second-longest in racing. The Miller Genuine Draft Cradle Stakes at River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio, begun in 1981 as the Miller High Life Cradle Stakes, is thought to be the oldest sponsored race, with 18 years of continuous support.

When The Blood-Horse produced and released its first home video last summer, it was entitled Conformation: How to Buy a Winner. As it turns out, it just as well could have been called Conformation: How to Buy a Kentucky Derby Winner because it featured trainer Bob Baffert and the then-unknown two-year-old Real Quiet, who captured the 124th "Run for the Roses" May 2. The 35-minute video, designed for anyone buying or selling Thoroughbreds or fans of Thoroughbred racing, is available from The Blood-Horse, as are three subsequent videos: First Aid for Horses; Lameness; and Thoroughbred Ownership. They can be ordered by calling (800) 582-5604.

May 12, 1936: Jockey Ralph "Pepperpot" Neves was involved in a racing accident at Bay Meadows and erroneously pronounced dead. He was revived at the morgue, which he escaped wearing only his riding pants and one boot (the other was taken off to put a toe tag on the "corpse"). Neves caught a ride in a taxi driven by a friend and made his way back to the racetrack. A stunned crowd looked on as the blood-caked jockey ran down the home stretch to prove he was still alive.

May 12, 1990: D. Wayne Lukas became the first trainer to top $100 million in purses when he sent Calumet Farm’s Criminal Type to win the Pimlico Special at Pimlico Racecourse.

May 13, 1845: The Great Sectional Match, the North versus the South, was run at Union Course in New York. Fashion, representing the North, raced against the South’s Peytona in a match race won by Peytona. Three years earlier, Fashion had defeated Boston, who represented the South, in another North-South rivalry.

May 14, 1978: Having recovered from the often-deadly Colitis X virus, Seattle Slew won his first start as a four-year-old in an allowance race at Aqueduct.

May 14, 1989: E.P. Taylor, owner of Windfields Farms and breeder of Northern Dancer, died at age 88.

May 15, 1952: John Longden won his 4,000th victory, riding at Hollywood Park.

May 15, 1954: Nashua won his first race, running 4 ½ furlongs over a straightaway at Belmont Park.

May 15, 1993: Genuine Risk, the second of three fillies to have won the Kentucky Derby since it began in 1875, gave birth to her first foal after 13 years of failed attempts and miscarriages. The foal, a son of Rahy, was named Genuine Reward.

May 16, 1979: Gary Stevens rode his first career winner, named Lil Star, trained by his father, Ron Stevens, at Les Bois Park.

May 17, 1930: Two-year-old Equipoise gave owner C.V. Whitney his first stakes victory when he captured the Keene Memorial Stakes at Belmont Park at odds of 3-5.

May 17, 1947: Seabiscuit, owned by Charles S. Howard, succumbed to a heart attack at Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, Calif. He was 14.

May 17, 1976: Sixteen-year-old Steve Cauthen rode his first winner, Thomas Bischoff-trained Red Pipe, in the eighth race at River Downs. By the end of his first year of apprenticeship, Cauthen had won 240 races from 1,170 mounts and $1.2 million in purses.

May 18, 1931: Fifteen-year-old Eddie Arcaro rode his first race, finishing sixth, at Bainbridge Park, Ohio. At year’s end, he remained winless after 36 tries.

May 18, 1935: The Seagram family won the Queen’s Plate stakes (then called the King’s Plate), a record 20th time. From 1891-1898, the Seagrams’ horses won the Plate every year.

May 19, 1961: Jockey Bill Shoemaker notched his 4,000th career win aboard Guaranteeya at Hollywood Park.

May 19, 1964: Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. won his first race, aboard Huelen, riding at Presidente Remon in Panama.

May 20, 1916: In an unprecedented sweep, Mandarin, Gala Water and Gala Day finished first, second and third, respectively, in the King’s Plate at Woodbine for their owner, distiller Joseph Emm Seagram. Three days later, Mandarin and Gala Water again finished one-two, this time in the Breeders’ Stakes.

May 20, 1941: Seventeen days after his Kentucky Derby win and 10 days after his Preakness victory, Whirlaway raced against older horses for the first time. Carrying 108 pounds, Whirlaway defeated his four rivals in the Henry of Navarre Purse at Belmont Park.

May 20, 1954: At odds of 13-1, Rex Ellsworth’s two-year-old colt Swaps won his maiden race by three lengths at Hollywood Park.

May 20, 1977: Two-year-old John Henry won his first start ever, a four-furlong maiden race at Jefferson Downs, by a nose. When he was retired in 1984, the gelding had 39 wins, 15 seconds and nine thirds from 83 starts, seven Eclipse Awards and earnings of $6,597,947.

May 21, 1978: John Henry made his first start for Dotsam Stable, winning a $25,000 claiming race at Aqueduct.

May 21, 1992: Jockey Gary Stevens hit his 3,000^th winner in the fifth race at Hollywood Park, aboard Sharp Event.

May 13 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 p.m. ESPN

May 13 Preakness Post Position Draw, Pimlico 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN

May 14 Racehorse Digest 3:00-3:30 a.m. ESPN

May 15 2Day at Pimlico 3:30-5:00 p.m. ESPN2

May 15 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, Pimlico 5:00-6:00 p.m. ESPN

May 15 Handicapping the Preakness 11:00-11:30 p.m. ESPN2

May 16 Racehorse Digest 5:30-6:00 a.m. ESPN

May 16 Breakfast at Pimlico (live) 8:00-9:00 a.m. ESPN2

May 16 Breakfast at Pimlico (repeat) 9:00-10:00 a.m. ESPN2

May 16 Breakfast at Pimlico (repeat) 10:00-11:00 a.m. ESPN2

May 16 Breakfast at Pimlico (repeat) 11:00 a.m.-noon ESPN2

May 16 Preakness Stakes Special, Pimlico Noon-2:00 p.m. ESPN

May 16 2Day at the Preakness 3:00-4:30 p.m. ESPN2

May 16 Preakness Stakes, Pimlico 4:30-6:00 p.m. ABC

May 20 Racehorse Digest 3:30-4:00 p.m. ESPN

May 21 Racehorse Digest 3:00-3:30 a.m. ESPN

May 22 Racehorse Digest 5:30-6:00 a.m. ESPN

May 23 NTRA 2Day at the Races 7:30-8:00 p.m. ESPN2

Grand Prairie Gold Cup, Lone Star

National Jockey Club Handicap, Sportsman’s

Honeymoon Handicap, Hollywood

The Visa Championship is a series of 45 stakes races for three-year-olds to determine the Visa Three-Year-Old Champion. Horses are awarded points based on performance in designated graded and non-graded races. The points will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers as follows: Triple Crown races will be scored 20-15-10; Grade I races will be scored 10-7-5; Grade II races 7-5-3; and Grade III and ungraded 5-3-1.

HORSES: Real Quiet-32, Victory Gallop-27, Indian Charlie-20, Lil’s Lad-19, Cape Town-18, Artax-17, Coronado’s Quest-17, Halory Hunter-15, Yarrow Brae-15, Dice Dancer-13, Souvenir Copy-13, Event of the Year-12, Time Limit-12, Orville N Wilbur’s-10, Comic Strip-8, Favorite Trick-8, Limit Out-8, Parade Ground-8, Classic Cat-7, Sea of Secrets-7, Good and Tough-6, Late Edition-6, Dontletthebigonego-5, Hanuman Highway (IRE)-5, Hot Wells-5, One Bold Stroke-5, Rubiyat-5, Smolderin Heart-5, Thomas Jo-5, Voyamerican-5, Wasatch-5, Whataflashyactor-4, Dr J-3, Flashing Tammany-3, Futuristic-3, Grand Slam-3, Medford-3, Middlesex Drive-3, Nite Dreamer-3, Pleasant Drive-3, Post a Note-3, Prosperous Bid-3, Robinwould-3, Sejm Run-3, Shot of Gold-3, Truluck-3, Zippy Zeal-3, Allen’s Oop-1, Black Cash-1, Captain Maestri-1, Clover Hunter-1, Diamond Studs-1, Governor Hicks-1, Monk’s Falcon-1, Rock and Roll-1, Slew the Mark-1, Swear by Dixie-1, Sweetsouthernsaint-1, Troy’s Play-1

JOCKEYS: Jerry Bailey-47, Kent Desormeaux-42, Gary Stevens-37, Pat Day-28, Shane Sellers-28, Alex Solis-25, Willie Martinez-17, Chris McCarron-17, Jean-Luc Samyn-14, David Flores-13, Corey Nakatani-13, Mike Smith-13, Russell Baze-12, Eibar Coa-10, Robbie Davis-10, Robby Albarado-8, Jorge Chavez-8, Calvin Borel-5, Tim Doocy-5, Steve Hamilton-5, Pat Johnson-5, Julie Krone-5, Carlos Gonzalez-4, Shaun Bridgemohan-3, Joe Bravo-3, Eddie Delahoussaye-3, Earlie Fires-3, Rafael Meza-3, Craig Perret-3, Edgar Prado-3, Abdiel Toribio-3, Ed Martin Jr.-2, Javier Castellano-1, Niki Goodwin-1, Terry Houghton-1, Lonnie Meche-1, Richard Migliore-1, Laffit Pincay Jr.-1, Ron Warren Jr.-1

TRAINERS: Bob Baffert-71, D. Wayne Lukas-54, Neil Howard-35, Elliott Walden-30, Allen Jerkens-21, Randy Bradshaw-17, Shug McGaughey-17, Jerry Hollendorfer-16, Nick Zito-15, Wally Dollase-13, Frank Alexander-9, Bill Mott-8, David Cross Jr.-7, Neil Drysdale-7, Tom Amoss-5, Jim Baker-5, Terry Brennan-5, James Jerkens-5, Carlos Morales-5, Scotty Schulhofer-5, Richard Suttle-5, Kathy Walsh-5, Martin Wolfson-5, Sam David Jr.-4, Joe Aquilino-3, Bill Badgett-3, Jerry Calvin-3, Julian Canet-3, Craig Dollase-3, Phil Hauswald-3, Niall O’Callaghan-3, Ben Perkins Sr.-3, Leo Azpurua Jr.-1, Robert Beall-1, Walter Bindner Jr.-1, Pat Byrne-1, Dallas Keen-1, John Kimmel-1, Randy Morse-1, Timothy Muckler-1, Luis Olivares-1, Louie Roussel III-1, Charlie Williams-1

Unofficial standings (subject to audit) through Sunday, May 10, 1998, as compiled by Equibase Company.

Week 10 of the 1998 NTRA 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 1998 RECORD

HORSE Pts,1st Owner Sts-1-2-3 LAST START (Finish, Field size)

Pedigree Last Week Trainer Earnings (Date, Distance, Track)

Aqu—Aqueduct; CD—Churchill Downs; Kee—Keeneland; NAD—Nad al Sheba; Pim—Pimlico; SA—Santa Anita