Zito Among Monday's Hall of Fame Inductees

Thoroughbred racing will honor trainer Nick Zito and three others when the class of 2005 is inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame on Monday.

The members of the 50th anniversary class of inductees are trainers Sidney Watters Jr. and Zito, steeplechase rider Tommy Walsh, and the steeplechase horse, Lonesome Glory.

The program at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion at the corner of East Avenue and George Street is free and open to the public. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.

Entertainer David Cassidy, who breeds and races Thoroughbreds, will deliver the keynote speech.

Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., will be the presenter for Watters, who trained many horses for Ms. Clark's parents. Walsh has selected longtime racing executive Lenny Hale to be his presenter.

Making the presentation to Zito will be his son, Alexander, and John Hettinger, the breeder, owner, and sales company executive. Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard will make the presentation for Lonesome Glory.

Twenty-three of the 48 living members of the Hall of Fame are expected to attend the induction ceremony. Beginning at 2:30 p.m., racing fans will be able to meet returning members of the Hall of Fame for a free autograph session held at the Saratoga Race Course in front of the silks display area of the Jockey's Room.

The feature race of the afternoon is the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes (gr. IIT) for 3-year-olds on the Mellon Turf Course.

Zito will also be appearing as the featured guest on a special Friday edition of bloodhorse.com's Talkin' Horses.