Trainer

No trainer has been hotter this fall than Englishman John Hammond, 31, who trains in France. Just a couple of weeks ago he almost pulled off a rare international double, saddling Suave Dancer to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and finishing second by a neck with Dear Doctor in the Turf Classic at Belmont Park.He sends out royally-bred Goofalik in the Budweiser International. Although still unproven in Grade I company, the 4-year-old colt seems to fit the 10 furlongs perfectly and should finish fast with Angel Cordero Jr.Still, the quixotic Algenib is a South American champion who looks superb and is the horse to beat.

LAUREL -- Starting Jan. 10, the first of three van loads of horses trained by Dale Capuano will leave Laurel headed for Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.The 31-year-old trainer said yesterday that he has decided to give Oaklawn a try. He is shipping 30 horses there for the coming three-month meet, and is leaving eight to 10 horses in Maryland, split between brother Gary Capuano and sister Gina Capuano."

Trainer Charlie Hadry has appealed a suspension handed him yesterday after one of his runners tested positive for a trace amount of cocaine.The Maryland stewards ignored a request from the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association in suspending Hadry for 15 days. Hadry, who has had one medication-related suspension in his 40-year training career, immediately appealed the penalty to the Maryland Racing Commission.Subtle Step, trained by Hadry, won his first career race March 15 at Pimlico Race Course.

Doug O'Neill caught the red eye out of Southern California on Wednesday night, boarding a plane that would offer him a few moments of peace. Not that the trainer of Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another has wilted under the scrutiny of sudden popularity. He's described his experiences as "cool," even the part where he answers the same questions over and over. And about his accommodations at Pimlico, the host of the Preakness Stakes that has, in recent years, been a popular place for trainers to avoid?

Longtime Maryland horse trainer Hap Ravich died at Sinai Hospital on Monday afternoon after a long battle with heart disease and related problems.Ravich, 80, trained state-bred champion Jameela as well as stakes winners Endless Surprise, Sarah Percy and Hush Hush Flash."

The Maryland Racing Commission unanimously upheld yesterday a 15-day suspension for veteran trainer Charlie Hadry. In so doing, the commission upheld the absolute-insurer rule that has become critical in deciding cases involving drug violations in Maryland.Hadry was suspended for 15 days by the stewards after one of his runners, Subtle Step, tested positive for a trace amount of cocaine after winning a maiden-claiming race at Pimlico Race Course March 15. Hadry appealed the penalty pending yesterday's hearing, which was held at Pimlico.

Perhaps no one in the Orioles organization has spent more time on and off the field with Cal Ripken Jr. than the club's head athletic trainer, Richie Bancells. Bancells, 51, first met Ripken in the minors, and, in 1984, Ripken's third big league season, he joined the major league club. Bancells and Ripken became close friends, working together in the offseasons as well. So when it was time for Ripken to send out invitations for Cooperstown, Bancells got one. But Bancells was torn. It would mean missing two games, something he doesn't do - especially for a reason not related to family.

The weight assignments were announced for the first running of the $250,000 Pimlico Distaff yesterday, and trainer Carlos Garcia immediately screamed foul.Garcia, who conditions local hopeful Brilliant Brass, was not at all happy when his mare was assigned 117 pounds after four straight victories, and Harbour Club, a New York-based runner, received an impost of 110 from racing secretary Larry Abbundi."My mare is in good shape," said Garcia. "She'll be ready for the race. But we haven't run against anyone good.

A Taneytown trainer has been fined $500 and disqualified from showing horses for eight months after signing a consent decision in September under the federal Horse Protection Act.However, Margaret H. Smith, who did not admit or deny guilt in the consent decision, said yesterday that she is innocent of the charges and agreed to sign because she could not afford to fight the case.The 10-year trainer said she has never been accused of any other horse violations."I've known trainers that have spent $50,000 to $100,000 [taking a case through administrative hearings]

About a month ago, the anointed star of the Triple Crown was a little chestnut horse named Arazi.Reporters thought they'd be carrying a French-to-English dictionary just to converse with his Parisian trainer and head lads.Pleasant surprise, then, that the media darling turned out to be an appealing woman from Northern California who speaks in David Letterman one-liners and has the Earth Motherliness of Barbara Bush.Turns out she's a pretty darn good horse trainer, too.Everyone can't get enough of Shelley Riley, whose Casual Lies finished second in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Preakness, and now has a chance to win the $1 million Triple Crown Bonus on Saturday in the Belmont Stakes.