Horse Track

Looking to generate public support, and perhaps tweak the outcome of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, the state's two leading thoroughbred tracks have begun airing television commercials touting the legalization of slot machines in Maryland.The owners of Pimlico and Laurel race courses launched the advertising campaign on Baltimore and Washington stations this week to focus the public's attention on the slot-machine issue, said Joseph A. De Francis, majority owner of the two tracks.The racing industry is pushing to bring slots to Maryland to allow state tracks to compete with those in Delaware and West Virginia, which have the devices and are generating huge sums for race purses and track owners.

Some Republican legislators who previously opposed slot machine gambling now say they are ready to allow the devices at four Maryland horse tracks. Circumstances have changed, these lawmakers say, noting the state's budget crisis and their desire to support Republican Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. as he takes office. "We've had an election, and voters have spoken out in support of Governor Ehrlich's proposals," said Del. Robert L. Flanagan, a Howard County Republican. The backing of GOP legislators, with the support of key Democrats such as Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, could improve chances of a slots bill winning approval in the coming General Assembly session.

Both sides of the Pimlico Race Course stabling area likely will stay open for training this winter.Laurel/Pimlico track operator Joe De Francis said yesterday that "there are enough horses on the grounds to warrant keeping both sides open at least through Jan. 1. Then we will see where we go from there. The reason we wanted to shut the barn area down last year is that we didn't have enough horses to fill the stalls. But Lenny Hale [vice president of racing] and John Mooney [general manager]

The majority of the Preakness horses spent a quiet morning yesterday taking a leisurely gallop around the track. Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem received his first look at the Pimlico Race Course surface and apparently is relishing the fame associated with the Triple Crown. "He had never seen all this attention before, but he is getting used to all the flashbulbs and onlookers," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He understands that something special is going on and that he is a big part of that.

Because of the large volume of readers' telephone calls, letters and e-mails about the state of Maryland racing, we've put off writing the usual Sunday notebook in favor of preparing your responses for publication. Read The Sun sports section on Thursday for your comments about slot machines, a new horse track and the management of Pimlico and Laurel Park. You were nothing if not passionate about these issues. Thanks for your patience as we compile the responses.

25 years ago (week of Feb. 6-12, 1972):The Time-Life Broadcast Co. withdrew plans for a cable television system in Columbia, after indicating that Howard Research and Development placed more restrictions on it and "required a higher level of technical and scientific performance than any other franchise in the country."50 years ago (week of Feb. 2-8, 1947):Samuel M. Pistorio announced plans to build a three-quarter-mile horse track in the county. He planned to purchase the Brunsman Farm, a 320-acre tract north of U.S. 40 (now Route 144)

STRATFORD, Conn. - The cool evening mist doesn't penetrate the ground beneath this beech tree in Stratford. Near here, monk parakeets native to South America, the descendants of long-ago escapees, have built their intricate nests. This is a favorite walk of Stratford poet Norah Pollard. She enjoys the juxtaposition of craggy fishermen and women on a nearby dock and the delicate green birds meant for cages. The beech's trunk is covered with whirls and folds that look, says the poet, like body sex-parts.

DOVER, Del. - Magna Entertainment Corp. says it needs additional debtor-in-possession financing as it works to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Canada's Magna, the largest horse track owner in the United States, previously reached agreements with a subsidiary of its parent, MI Developments, for $64.4 million in financing. But Magna, which filed a reorganization plan two weeks ago, says it is facing liquidity issues because of an unexpected decline in horse racing revenues and weather-related race cancellations at Santa Anita Park in California.

Omar Klinger, a 30-year-old jockey from Laurel, was suspended from racing yesterday for 20 days after clutching a knife during an altercation with another jockey.The confrontation took place Sunday in the jockeys' room at Laurel Park. Klinger and fellow jockey Steve Hamilton, 23, began arguing after the second race over riding tactics, according to the Maryland Racing Commission stewards, who issued the suspension after a hearing yesterday at the Laurel horse track.They suspended Klinger yesterday through Aug. 4 for "being involved in a disturbance in the jockeys' room" and "being in possession of a deadly weapon."

Trainer Phil Marino withdrew Lead Em Home as a Preakness horse yesterday and entered him instead in Saturday's $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes, assuring Torrid Sand his place in the field. "The owner left it up to me. I think I was using my better judgment by taking him out," Marino said. "I may drop-kick myself by doing it. Believe me, he could have done all right in the Preakness. "The Sir Barton is going to be almost as tough as the Preakness. This is my horse's home track and he loves it."