News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Inc. (TRC) (212) 371-5911.

Silver Charm will challenge Donn Handicap winner Puerto Madero (CHI) in the March 6 Santa Anita Handicap, the second leg in the 'NTRA Champions on FOX' series. Puerto Madero is leading the series with 20 points. Behrens, runner up in the Donn, is in second place in the standings with 12 points, followed by Silver Charm with 8. Should Puerto Madero sweep the series' four remaining races to be broadcast on FOX Network, the Santa Anita Handicap on March 6, the Hollywood Gold Cup on June 27, the Whitney Handicap on Aug. 1 and the Pacific Classic on Aug. 29, he will earn a $5 million bonus. Silver Charm is eligible for a $1 million bonus if he should earn the most points in the series.

Trainers D. Wayne Lukas, Neil Drysdale and Richard Mandella are among the nominees to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame, it was announced today by Museum President John von Stade. All three have been nominated in the first year of their eligibility. Joining them are the nominees in the Jockey category, Russell Baze, Earlie Fires and Jack Westrop. Contemporary Male Horse nominees are A.P. Indy, Exceller and Precisionist. Contemporary Female horses are Dance Smartly, Miesque and Winning Colors. In the final category, Horse of Yesteryear, the nominees are Bald Eagle, Bowl of Flowers and Gun Bow.

The winners in each of the five categories will be announced in Louisville, Ky., during Kentucky Derby Week, the week of April 26. Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place at the Museum in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 9.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced the appointment of Keith Chamblin as vice president, marketing, effective April 1. Chamblin, who is currently vice president, marketing and public relations at Hollywood Park, will be based in the NTRA's Lexington, Ky., office.

Officials of Breeders' Cup Ltd. announced that a record 14,062 foals were nominated to the Breeders' Cup program last year. The 1998 total tops last year's previous high of 12,751 nominated foals. Officials also noted that 1,232 stallions were nominated to the Breeders' Cup for the 1999 breeding season, the highest in five years. Total revenue generated by the 1998 Breeders' Cup foal crop was $7,031,000, the highest ever. Revenues from stallion nominations generated $7,480,266, the highest stallion revenue generated since 1991.

Nominators pay a one-time, $500 fee per foal by Oct. 15 of the foal's birth year to make a horse eligible to the Breeders' Cup program for its entire racing career. Stallions are nominated to the Breeders' Cup on an annual basis at a fee equal to their advertised stud fee.

Hollywood Park officials reported today that revenues and earnings increased during the fourth quarter and full year ending Dec. 31. The Inglewood, Calif.-based company reported fourth quarter gross earnings of $31.7 million, compared with $14.2 million during the same period the last year. Net income of $4.3 million from $158.2 million in revenues represented a strong gain over the 1997 fourth-quarter net of $1.6 million. For the year, Hollywood Park had revenues of $427 million and net income of $13.2 million, with per-share income of $0.50, compared with $0.33 in 1997.

Churchill Downs Inc. posted record results for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 1998, officials reported Wednesday. Net earnings were $10,518,548 for fiscal year 1998, 15 percent more than net earnings of $9,148,560 in 1997. Net revenues totaled $147,300,299, a 24 percent increase over 1997. Basic earnings per share for the year increased 13 percent to $1.41.

Feb. 26: 'Racehorse Digest' 3:30-4:00 a.m., ESPN
Feb. 27:'Racehorse Digest' 5:30-6:00 a.m., ESPN
March 6: Santa Anita Handicap, Santa Anita, 5:00-6:00 p.m., FOX
March 13 Florida Derby, Gulfstream, 5:30-6:00 p.m., ABC

Feb. 26, 1973: With Secretariat having been named Horse of the Year for 1972 and champion two-year-old, it was announced by Claiborne Farm that the colt had been syndicated for a then-record $6,080,000 -- equivalent to 32 shares at $190,000 each.

Feb. 27, 1982: Florida apprentice Mary Russ became the first female jockey to win a Grade I stakes in North America when she captured the Widener Handicap aboard Lord Darnley at Hialeah.

Feb. 28, 1957: John Longden became the first jockey in history to reach 5,000 victories.

March 1, 1969: Tuesdee Testa, 27, became the first female jockey to win a race at a major American Thoroughbred track when she won the third race at Santa Anita Park aboard Buz On.

March 1, 1987: Jockey Don MacBeth died of cancer at the age of 37.

March 1, 1991: Pat Day, 37, became the sixth rider in history whose mounts earned $100 million when he rode Wild Sierra to a second-place finish in the first race at Oaklawn Park.

March 2, 1940: Beaten by a nose in both the 1937 and 1938 Santa Anita Handicaps, Seabiscuit finally won the Big 'Cap in his final race. He retired the then-leading money-winning horse in the world.

March 2, 1966: Kelso, Horse of the Year 1960-64, ran his last race, finishing fourth at Hialeah Park.

March 3, 1966: Ogden Phipps's Buckpasser won the Flamingo Stakes by a nose, under the guidance of Bill Shoemaker. The colt was such a prohibitive favorite among the field of nine that the race was declared a non-wagering contest and has since been dubbed 'The Chicken Flamingo.'

March 3, 1985: Bill Shoemaker became the first jockey in history to win $100 million in purses after he won the Santa Anita Handicap aboard Lord at War (ARG).

March 3, 1993: Russell Baze had his 4,000th career win, with Frank Musso, at Golden Gate Fields.

March 5, 1988: Carl Gambardella had his 5,000th career winner, aboard John's Goldenapple, at Suffolk Downs.

March 6, 1965: Jockey Earlie Fires rode his first winner, Carnation Kid, at Oaklawn Park. By year's end, Fires had amassed nearly $600,000 in purse earnings to earn the title of champion apprentice jockey.

March 6, 1988: Julie Krone became the winningest female jockey in racing history when she won the 1,205th race of her career riding a filly named Squawter in the ninth race at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Gulfstream Park Handicap, 33&up;, $350,000, 1 1-4 miles, Grade I, Gulfstream

Buena Vista Handicap, 4&up;, (f&m;), $150,000, 1 1-8 miles (T), Grade II, Santa Anita

Chou Croute Stakes, 4&up; (f&m;), $100,000, 1 mile, Fair Grounds

Rampart Handicap, 3&up; (f&m;), $200,000, 1 1-16 miles, Grade II, Gulfstream

San Rafael Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, 1 mile, Grade II, Santa Anita