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

NTRA, ABC SPORTS REACH AGREEMENT TO ADD MORE TELECASTS OF TRIPLE CROWN PREP RACES

Pursuing the organization's plan to raise the profile of Thoroughbred racing on network television, National Thoroughbred Racing Association Commissioner Tim Smith announced that the NTRA has reached an agreement in principle with ABC Sports for an expanded television package of Triple Crown prep races for 1999 and 2000.

Smith revealed that the series of Triple Crown prep races will offer four new shows plus an expanded fifth show all leading to the VISA Triple Crown Challenge. Together the new programming represents an increase of two and a half hours on ABC Sports over the 1998 pre-Triple Crown schedule. ABC Sports will once again televise the Florida Derby on March 13 and the Wood Memorial on April 10.

'Getting the best races on national network television is an integral part of the NTRA business and marketing plan,' explained Smith. 'This television package is designed to enhance the Triple Crown season and give fans the opportunity to see three-year-olds from throughout the country battle their way toward Louisville in the months and weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby. The idea is much like televising the early rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament.'

The package with ABC Sports was negotiated by Sports Marketing and Television International (SMTI), a Marquee Group company retained by the NTRA to help design and execute the NTRA's national television strategy and television production.

Complementing the ABC Sports coverage package will be ESPN, which will have its own series of Triple Crown prep races starting on January 31 with the Hutcheson Stakes.

'ABC Sports is synonymous with coverage of the Triple Crown and the races leading up to it,' Smith said. 'With these new racing telecasts and the three-year-old races on ESPN, we'll have Triple Crown prep races on national television on nearly a weekly basis from late January through late April.' Smith added, 'Fans tell us they want a nationally televised racing season and our package of Triple Crown prep races is part of that process. This will be the most comprehensive television schedule of three-year-old races ever available to racing fans.'

The NTRA has been conducting an ongoing program of consumer research since May of 1997, and respondents have repeatedly indicated that they would be more interested in racing if there were more of it available on network television in series format.

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of Thoroughbred racing interests, including racetracks, owners, breeders, off-track betting sites, trainers, jockeys and sales companies, among others. Through membership dues and other funding, the NTRA in its first year will market, advertise, promote and televise Thoroughbred racing in North America. It will also serve as a catalyst for industry-wide programs such as group purchasing, telecommunications and technology initiatives, legislative activities and similar priorities.

AQHA AND NTRA TO JOIN FORCES

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has joined the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) as a special affiliate, it was jointly announced Aug. 11 by the boards of directors of both organizations. As part of the affiliation agreement, both AQHA and NTRA will work together whenever appropriate in a variety of areas, including legislation, group purchasing, television, sponsorship and the overall marketing and promotion of horse racing.

The AQHA, which has its national headquarters in Amarillo, TX, numbers approximately 305,000 individual members. The association has registered more than 3.6 million horses, making it the largest equine association in the world. The AQHA maintains breeding, showing and racing statistics on registered American Quarter Horses, as well as statistics and information on owners, trainers and jockeys. Additionally, AQHA offers competitive opportunities to American Quarter Horse owners through an extensive number of AQHA-approved races and shows. AQHA spends in excess of $9 million marketing and promoting the American Quarter Horse through national television, three national publications and a national advertising campaign.

Speaking for the NTRA, Commissioner Tim Smith said, 'We're delighted that AQHA and its membership will be teaming up to support the mission of the NTRA to promote horse racing and our other common interests. This agreement is indicative of the NTRA's desire to affiliate with leading organizations throughout the horse world to pursue our many shared goals. The NTRA recognizes the unique grassroots strength and character of the AQHA and looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.'

Bill Brewer, executive vice president of AQHA, said, 'I believe this is an exciting time for the horse racing industry, and I'm pleased that AQHA can take an active role in the NTRA. Because many racetracks provide opportunities for both breeds of horses and because countless people begin their first venture into horse racing by purchasing a racing American Quarter Horse, the alliance between the NTRA and AQHA is a natural one. We applaud the efforts of the NTRA and the Thoroughbred industry for uniting to market horse racing and we look forward to joining their efforts to actively grow the industry. Horse racing is entering a new era. I'm confident the members of AQHA look forward to what is ahead and to the scores of benefits this alliance will bring.'

Under terms of the agreement, AQHA will make a financial contribution to help defray the NTRA's advertising costs (e.g., ad placement costs in markets with mixed meet tracks). In addition, AQHA will be soliciting financial support for the NTRA from AQHA's constituent racetracks, horsemen, breeders and sales companies. They will participate under the same percentages as members of the Thoroughbred racing industry. The total financial package is expected to reach $1 million.

Among the joint efforts anticipated are: marketing and television-NTRA will provide assistance to AQHA to do American Quarter Horse advertising as part of a cooperative marketing program and will cooperate in seeking enhanced television exposure for American Quarter Horse racing; group purchasing-NTRA and AQHA will work together to design and administer a national joint purchasing program to provide cost savings and service enhancements for both organizations and their members; sponsorships-NTRA and AQHA will coordinate sales of national sponsorships to maximize revenue for both organizations by advising each other of respective plans with regard to either existing or potential new sponsors; legislation-NTRA and AQHA will communicate and attempt to develop cooperative agendas on regulatory issues, legislative initiatives and other racing industry concerns of mutual interest, including account wagering.

Smith added that the potential of the affiliation agreement is already evident in the promotional support the two organizations plan for 'America's Day At The Races,' Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. 'There is significant synergy possible through this relationship,' said Smith. 'I'm confident that, together with AQHA, we'll prove that multi-breed cooperation is in the best interests of all equine organizations and their members.'

DEL MAR TO OFFER $2 MILLION GUARANTEED PICK SIX SATURDAY

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, Calif., will offer a guaranteed Pick Six pool of $2 million in conjunction with its premier race of the season, the $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday, Aug. 15. The wager will be held on races five through 10 and the track is guaranteeing that the total Pick Six pool will be at least $2 million. The Pick Six, in which bettors attempt to select the winners of six straight races, will have a mandatory full pay out that afternoon. A number of simulcast sites nationwide, including New York's Saratoga Racecourse, will offer wagering on the Pick Six.

KTOB-KTA CONTRIBUTE TO NTRA

The boards of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders-Kentucky Thoroughbred Association have voted unanimously to contribute their dues revenues for the next three years, a total of more than $200,000, to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA).

'With this contribution to the NTRA, we are making an additional investment in the Thoroughbred industry and helping ensure the NTRA fulfills its mission, to raise public awareness of our sport through comprehensive marketing and television exposure and to increase attendance and handle,' said Dr. J. David Richardson, president of the KTOB-KTA. 'We feel strongly that breeders' and owners' associations and horsemen's groups, who will benefit substantially from NTRA's success, should play a supporting role.'

SARATOGA OFF TO A SIZZLING START

For the first two weeks of the meet, both attendance and handle are up at Saratoga Racecourse, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. New York Racing Association President Terry Meyocks reports attendance and handle are up more than 30 percent for the meet. Live attendance is up 61,069 over last year and total handle is up by more than $14.1 million.

The Board of Trustees of New York Racing Association approved the track's 1999 schedule on Aug. 12, which will mirror this year's 36-day meet. The meet will begin on Wednesday, July 28 and run through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6.

SKIP AWAY DAY AT SARATOGA SET FOR AUGUST 16

Saratoga racing fans will get a treat on Sunday, Aug. 16 when the country's top older horse, Skip Away, works between races as he prepares for the Iselin Handicap on Aug. 30 at Monmouth Park. The New York Racing Association, in conjunction with Daily Racing Form, will give each paid admission a free Skip Away poster, while supplies last.

Skip Away, last year's Champion Older Male Horse, has won all five of his races this season and is the leading contender for Horse of the Year.

AFTER A HOME RUN, ALOU RELAXES AT THE RACES

Where does a National League Most Valuable Player candidate go to relax after hitting a two-run homer and a two-run double? On Sunday, Aug. 9, Moises Alou decided to visit Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas, to catch an evening of racing. Alou drove in four runs and hit his 30th home run of the season earlier in the day to lead the Houston Astros to a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. Afterward, Alou brought a group of friends to the races.

'I own Thoroughbreds that I race in the Dominican (Republic),' said Alou. 'I do OK with them. It's a lot of fun.' Alou said he visits tracks when he's on the road with the first-place Houston Astros. 'I went to River Downs when we were in Cincinnati, Fairmount Park when we were in St. Louis and Calder Race Course in Florida.'

LICENSED TO RIDE BUT NOT TO DRIVE

Jockey Ramsey Zimmerman had to make a hasty exit from Hawthorne Race Course after the ninth race on Aug. 11. Mary Zimmerman, mother of the 16-year-old apprentice jockey, was waiting for her son to whisk him to driver's education class in his home town of Barrington, Ill.

'Most teens have their dream car picked out by the time they are 14-years-old,' said Mary. 'But Ramsey was too busy getting his apprentice jockey's license to think about getting his driver's license. But now that his career is underway, he can work on driving to and from the track on his own. His Driver's Ed class starts at 6:00 p.m. and is very hard to get to on time when he has a mount in the last race. He wouldn't give up an opportunity to ride for any reason.'

Earlier in the day, Zimmerman picked up his third win of the Hawthorne season aboard Changeable in the first race.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING & HALL OF FAME TO EXPAND

On Thursday, Aug. 13, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame unveiled plans for expanding the size of the Saratoga Springs, N.Y., museum. Beginning in March 1999, the museum will break ground for a 10,000-square-foot addition to its present facility, which will open to the public in time for its 50th anniversary in July 2000.

The proposed addition will feature an expansive light-filled lobby, new exhibition galleries and an expanded gift shop. Renovations to the existing 36,000-square-foot structure will add an urgently needed Children's Education Gallery, and update the museum's permanent exhibit on the development of Thoroughbred racing in America. The result is a museum that is 100 percent accessible to disabled visitors.

The museum's Board of Trustees has launched a $15 million campaign to generate funds for the construction and renovation and to expand the museum's national outreach programs and endowment. More than half of the needed funds have already been pledged.

POLITICAL ACTION GROUP FOR THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY LAUNCHED IN ILLINOIS

Horsepower, Ltd., is a political action committee (PAC) recently formed to concentrate on the legislative issues affecting the Thoroughbred industry in Illinois. The organization will create a united front of Thoroughbred racehorse owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, jockey agents, feed companies, van companies, farms, racetracks and any group whose livelihood depends on racing.

'We need to put a face on racing so that every member of our State House knows that there is much more to our industry than a racetrack and its owners,' said Horsepower Director Jim Carfagno. 'There are thousands of jobs, families and businesses which depend on the racing industry to survive.'

Horsepower's manifesto is to address pressing issues such as racing dates and venues and to develop long range goals and solutions.

Aug. 13, 1919: Upset scored a win against Man o' War in the Sanford Memorial Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse. The defeat was Big Red's only loss in 21 starts.

Aug. 13, 1938: Mary Hirsch became the first woman to train a Travers Stakes winner when she sent Thanksgiving to victory for owner Anne Corning.

Aug. 13, 1951: At odds of 2-1, Greentree Stable's Tom Fool won his maiden race by four lengths at Saratoga Racecourse.

Aug. 14, 1942: One of racing's oddities occurred at Saratoga Racecourse when Rurales and Joe Burger finished in a dead-heat for first place, giving trainer W.O. Hicks, who saddled both horses, two winners in one race.

Aug. 15, 1972: The 15-race winning streak of England's Brigadier Gerard was ended by John Galbreath's American-bred Roberto, ridden to a three-length victory by Braulio Baeza in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup at York Racecourse. Brigadier Gerard, who finished second in the Gold Cup, went on to post two more victories before retiring with a record of 18-17-1-0.

Aug. 15, 1987: Kent Desormeaux began his career as a journeyman jockey.

Aug. 16, 1930: Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox was beaten by 100-1 shot Jim Dandy in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse.

Aug. 16, 1946: Rockingham Park began to film its races from the vantage of a helicopter, using the equipment as a 'mechanical patrol judge.'

Aug. 16, 1954: Native Dancer concluded his 22-race career with a victory in the Oneonta Handicap, a non-betting exhibition race at Saratoga Racecourse that he won by nine lengths while carrying 137 pounds. Although he raced only three times in 1954, Native Dancer was subsequently voted Horse of the Year, partly because he had been denied that honor in the previous year , despite having won nine of 10 races, all of them stakes. Tom Fool, 1953 Horse of the Year, had had a perfect 10-for-10 record.

Aug. 16, 1965: John Longden rode his 6,000th winner, riding Prince Scorpion to victory while at Exhibition Park.

Aug. 16, 1972: Secretariat won his first stakes race, the Sanford Stakes, at Saratoga Racecourse. The time for the six-furlong race was 1:10, the fastest time for the distance at Saratoga that year.

Aug. 16, 1976: John Campo swept the top three spots in the Adirondack Stakes with his trainees Harvest Girl, Bonnie Empress and Drama Critic.

Aug. 17, 1918: Samuel D. Riddle purchased the yearling Man o' War for $5,000 in a sale of August Belmont II's bloodstock at Saratoga.

Aug. 17, 1977: Jockey Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed for the first time, winning the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse by 2 3/4 lengths.

Aug. 18, 1923: The Jockey Club announced that the owner of Papyrus, winner of the Epsom Derby, had accepted an invitation to compete in an international match race in the U.S., against an American horse. Zev, winner of the 1923 Kentucky Derby, was chosen to represent the U.S. against Papyrus in the race, scheduled for October.

Aug. 18, 1961: Trainer Dale Baird saddled his first winner, New York, at Ellis Park.

Aug. 19, 1978: In the conclusion of their 10-race rivalry, Alydar scored his third 'success' against Affirmed in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse, when his adversary was disqualified from first place.

Aug. 19, 1990: Jockey Earlie Fires became the eleventh rider in Thoroughbred racing history to win 5,000 victories when he guided Tex's Zing to victory in the ninth race at Arlington International Racecourse. He joined history-making jockeys Bill Shoemaker, Laffit Pincay Jr., Angel Cordero Jr., John Longden, Jorge Velasquez, Larry Snyder, Sandy Hawley, Dave Gall, Carl Gambardella and Chris McCarron.

Aug. 20, 1966: Ogden Phipps' Buckpasser, ridden by Braulio Baeza, became racing's first three-year-old millionaire after he won the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse.

Sword Dancer Invitational, 3&up;, $300,000, 1 1-2 miles (T), Grade I, Saratoga
A field of seven horses, including the 1997 turf champion Chief Bearhart, will head to the post in Saturday's Sword Dancer. Chief Bearhart, who finished third in the Bowling Green, is the highweight in the field. He has finished first or second in 12 of his last 14 races.

The field, in post position order (with riders) is: Cetewayo (Velazquez), Val's Prince (Chavez), Buck's Boy (Fires), Panama City (Smith), Dushyantor (Bailey), Composer (Davis) and Chief Bearhart (Santos).

Duchess Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 7 furlongs, Woodbine

Ellis Park Debutante, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 7 furlongs, Ellis

Pat O'Brien Handicap, 3&up;, $150,000, 7 furlongs, Grade III, Del Mar

Shocker T Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 1-16 miles, Calder

Sorority Stakes, 2yo fillies, $150,000, 6 furlongs, Grade III, Monmouth

West Virginia Derby, 3yo, 1 1-8 miles, Mountaineer

Breeders' Stakes, 3yo, $300,000, 1 1-2 miles (T), Woodbine

Ellis Park Juvenile, 2yo, $100,000, 7 furlongs, Ellis

La Jolla Handicap, 3yo, $125,000, 1 1-16 miles (T), Grade III, Del Mar

Ontario Debutante Stakes, 2yo fillies, $100,000, 6 furlongs, Woodbine

Sweet and Sassy Stakes, 3&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 6 furlongs, Delaware