CHARISMATIC'S LITTLE BROTHER AIMS FOR HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

Millennium Wind, a son of Cryptoclearance and half-brother to 1999 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Charismatic, has only raced once, a three-length victory in a maiden race on Nov. 18. But he will be one of the centers of attention in Saturday's Grade I, $200,000 Hollywood Futurity, a major end-of-year contest for two-year-olds with designs on next year's Kentucky Derby.

The likely Futurity favorite is Point Given, who suffered a troubled trip while finishing a very close second to Macho Uno in the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. However, Point Given's presence in the Futurity does not deter David Hofmans, trainer of Millennium Wind. Hofmans is quick to admit, though, that the similarities between Millennium Wind and Charismatic, who competed in claiming races prior to capturing two classic races and Horse of the Year honors in 1999, are few and far between.

"They're totally different," said Hofmans. "Charismatic was a chestnut; this one is a big bay. And hopefully he will not run for a tag."

The Hollywood Futurity has been scheduled as the fourth race on Saturday's card from Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. The complete field from the rail out is: Palmeiro (to be ridden by Victor Espinoza), Millennium Wind (Chris McCarron), Golden Ticket (Corey Nakatani), Bank Street (David Flores) and Point Given (Gary Stevens).

CUP-WINNING BREEDERS TO BE HONORED

Breeders' Cup Limited and the Thoroughbred Club of America will honor the breeders of the 2000 Breeders' Cup race winners at its annual dinner on Saturday, January 6, 2001, at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

Tim Smith, Commissioner and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, will deliver the keynote address. Co-masters of ceremonies will be Mike Battaglia, Turfway Park track announcer and NBC analyst; and John Asher, Vice President, Racing Communications, for Churchill Downs.

Reservations are still available. For further information, contact the Thoroughbred Club of America at (859) 254-4282.

RACING ON THE AIR (all times Eastern)
December 15 Racehorse Digest, 3:00-3:30 a.m., ESPN
December 16 Racehorse Digest, 5:30-6:00 a.m., ESPN
December 20 Racehorse Digest, 1:00-1:30 p.m., ESPN
December 22 Racehorse Digest, 3:00-3:30 a.m., ESPN
December 23 Racehorse Digest, 4:30-5:00 a.m., ESPN
December 27 Racehorse Digest, 1:00-1:30 p.m., ESPN

RACING TO HISTORY

Dec. 15, 1973: Sandy Hawley became the first jockey in history to win 500 races in a single year when he rode Charlie Jr. to victory in the third race at Laurel.

Dec. 17, 1936: Crooner Bing Crosby announced plans to construct a new racetrack, to be called the Del Mar Turf Club.

Dec. 17, 1993: Fire destroyed the grandstand of Fair Grounds, the nation's third-oldest racetrack.

Dec. 18, 1983: Hollywood Park held the first $1 million race for two-year-old Thoroughbreds, the Hollywood Futurity, which was won by Fali Time, ridden by Sandy Hawley.

Dec. 20, 1987: D. Wayne Lukas-trained Tejano became the first juvenile millionaire when he won the Hollywood Futurity with Laffit Pincay Jr. aboard.

Dec. 22, 1991: Jockey Kent Desormeaux, at age 21, won his 2,000th race aboard Saron Lake, trained by Gary Jones, at Hollywood Park. He was the youngest jockey to reach that mark and did so faster than any other rider.

Dec. 23, 1944: James F. Byrnes, Director of War Mobilization and Reconversion, urged that all racing in the United States cease by Jan. 3 as a means of furthering the war effort.

Dec. 25, 1934: Santa Anita Park opened in Arcadia, Calif. A five-year-old mare, Las Palmas, won the inaugural race, the California-Bred Handicap, before a crowd of 30,777.

Dec. 27, 1982: English trainer Michael Dickinson saddled 12 winners, a record.

Dec. 27, 1987: D. Wayne Lukas set a single-season record for stakes wins by a trainer, 92, when he saddled High Brite to win the Palos Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita Park.

WEEKEND STAKES RACES (unrestricted stakes worth $75,000 and up)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16
Hollywood Futurity, 2yo, $200,000, Grade I, 1 1/16 M, Hollywood Park
Ladies Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $100,000, Grade III, 1¼ M, Aqueduct
Frances A. Genter Handicap, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 7½ F (T), Calder Racecourse
Pago Hop Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1 M (T), Fair Grounds

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
Hollywood Starlet, 2yo fillies, $200,000, Grade I, 1 1/16 M, Hollywood Park
Carousel Stakes, 3&up (f&m), $75,000, 1 1/8 M, Laurel Park
Christmas Futurity, 2yo, $75,000, 6½ F, Turf Paradise
F.W. Gaudin Memorial Handicap, 3&up, $75,000, 6 F, Fair Grounds