ESPN PERSONALITY KENNY MAYNE RETURNS AS HOST FOR ECLIPSE AWARDS DINNER

ESPN personality Kenny Mayne returns as host for the Eclipse Awards for the third consecutive year, it was announced by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The 31st annual Eclipse Awards dinner will be held Monday, Feb. 18, at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort in Miami Beach, Fla.

A longtime fan of Thoroughbred racing, Mayne hosts ESPN's "SportsCenter" in addition to writing feature columns on racing for ESPN.com. Along with jockeys Joe Bravo, Jorge Chavez and Aaron Gryder, Mayne also starred in the NTRA's "Singing Jockey" ads, promoting the 2001 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. Known for his dry, offbeat humor, Mayne has been with ESPN since 1990.

Tickets for the Eclipse Awards dinner are $300 per individual and $3,000 for a table of 10. For reservations contact Debbie Blair at the NTRA's Lexington office, (800) 792-6872, or e-mail dblair@ntra.com.

Attendees should make their hotel reservations directly with the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort by calling (800) 548-8886 or (800) HILTONS and requesting the NTRA group rate for the Eclipse Awards.

The Presidents' Day weekend in South Florida includes racing at Gulfstream Park, featuring the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday, Feb. 16; the world's largest boat show, the Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail, which runs Feb. 14-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center; and the Turf Publicists of America's Big Sport of Turfdom Luncheon on Feb. 18.

The Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Eclipse Awards are also given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. The awards are presented by the NTRA, the National Turf Writers Association and Daily Racing Form. For more information, visit the NTRA Web site, ntra.com, or the Daily Racing Form Web site, drf.com.

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horseracing interests, including the American Quarter Horse Association, charged with increasing popularity of horseracing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA and Breeders' Cup Limited also conduct the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, Thoroughbred racing's year-end Championships consisting of eight races and $13 million in purses and awards, and the Breeders' Cup Stakes Program, both of which are funded by the industry's owners and breeders. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA Web site, www.ntra.com, and at the Web site for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, breederscup.com. Contact the NTRA at ntra@ntra.com.