Here and There

Trainer Lisa M. Aitchison was suspended for three months by New York Racing Association stewards because one of her horses failed a drug test. The suspension runs from Saturday through March 1. ... The Texas Thoroughbred Association is hosting an online breeding season package auction to more than 75 Thoroughbred stallions on its website until Nov. 30. To participate in the private, secure auction, go to www.texasthoroughbred.com and click on the "Auction Ring" button on the left side of your screen. Following a simple registration process, you will be eligible to bid on as many breeding seasons as you wish. Each stallion season has a pre-set minimum bid that can be increased in $100 increments, as well as pedigree information and a direct link to the farm where the stallion is standing. Once you place a bid on a stallion season, you will be immediately notified by email if you are out-bid by another auction participant. All bids will close at 5 p.m. Central Time on Friday, Nov. 30, at which time the highest bidder of each stallion season will be declared the winner. Winning bidders will be notified by email on Dec 3. Payment in full is due by Dec 31, 2001 for seasons selling for less than $10,000; for seasons selling for $10,000 or more, payment is due by Sept 1, 2002. ... Phase one of barn improvements at Thistledown will begin Dec. 3. The Cleveland-area track is planning to construct six new barns with 30 stalls each.