Here and There

The Oak Tree Racing Association will honor Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron with a ceremony between races here on Saturday, Oct. 12. McCarron, who retired from riding in June, will be presented with an original watercolor painting by Thomas Pauly of McCarron aboard two-time Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow. Director of Broadcasting Amy J. Zimmerman also has produced a McCarron video tribute...NYRA is offering a $500,000 guaranteed Pick 4 Pool for this Saturday. The wager includes the day's last four races on Sept. 28... Sam Houston Race Park will present the second Breeders' Cup Marathon handicapping contest on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The contest will give patrons the chance to win a trip for two to the 2003 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships and cash prizes. Patrons compete against each other to collect the highest total number of points throughout a four-week period. There is no entry fee required and points will be rewarded for winners selected from designated tracks racing Monday through Friday. The first week of competition begins on Oct. 1, and for each correctly selected winner, contestants will earn one point. Week two of the competition winners earn double points, third week triple and the final week each winner will earn quadruple points...In preparation for its upcoming live racing season, the Sam Houston Racing is currently processing stall applications for the 2002/2003 Thoroughbred meeting. Live racing returns Friday, Nov. 1 and the first condition book covering races from Nov 1-29 will be available online as of September 30. The stable area will open on Oct. 16 and horses can return to the racetrack for training on Oct. 19. Contact the racing office at 1-800-807-RACE or visit the Sam Houston Race Park web site at www.shrp.com...Johnny Rivers will headline the Nov. 2 Shoemaker Foundation's Evening in the Bluegrass in Lexington. Rivers will include his hit Secret Agent Man in his performance which will be at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky at Lexington's Blue Grass Field.