Ralph Siraco’s horse racing notes

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000 | 9:17 a.m.

Race players have a full menu of special events and contests at area race books in the coming weeks. Here are some dates to remember:

The Coast Resorts Casinos has a full slate of racing related events throughout the end of the current Santa Anita racing season.

First, there is the weekly free $1,000 handicapping contest based on the last five races at Santa Anita. These competitions require that contestants select one horse per race, and an alternate in case the original pick scratches out of the race, and is based on a mythical $2 win bet. The highest total wins the cash. The contest run now through April 12 and rotates between the three Coast Resorts properties race books. A total of $17,000 will be distributed through the course of the promotion. The next contest is Thursday at the Orleans race book. ...

New York's leading rider, Aaron Gryder, will make a special appearance at the Orleans race book on Monday, Jan. 24 at 8 a.m. The question-and-answer session will also feature a special handicapping contest on the races at Gulfstream Park that day. The shot at an additional $1,000 will also be free to the public and is based on the same format as the weekly free contests. ...

The Orleans will be the center of the horse race handicapping universe when the property presents another edition of the National Handicapping Challenge on March 9-11 with prize monies reaching upwards of $400,000. The $500 entry fees plus an additional $50,000 thrown in by Coast Resorts enables players to go for the big bucks while playing for daily prizes of $30,000. In it's short run, the Challenge has become the richest tournament of its kind in the world. ...

Local racing fans will have a chance to honor the world's winningest jockey, Laffit Pincay, Jr., and raise money for two of racing's leading charities in one night. A benefit to celebrate the racing icon will be held at the Orleans hotel on Monday, March 13. Proceeds of the event will be split between the Shoemaker Foundation and the Don McBeth Fund to help backstretch employees and disabled riders in need. Cocktails at 6, followed by the dinner at 7:30. Director of Race Book operations at the Coast Resorts properties, Robert Muniz, committed to keeping the tickets for the function affordable enough for all racing fans to attend. So, the entire night's activities will be covered by the single ticket price of $60. Seating will be limited. For reservations and more ticket information call 888-566-7223. ...

The festivities will start early that Monday with a special appearance by jockey Alex Solis and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in the Orleans race book. The session to meet the two horsemen will start at 9 a.m. on March 13 and is free to the public. ...

Texas Station race book offers weekly contests on the Southern California races every Wednesday and Friday. The $10-buy-in contests return all monies to the players and is a fun addition to the North Las Vegas property. ...

Arizona Charlie's conducts the 'Win-Quin' contest each Wednesday at its race book and is based on the Southern California track. The Decatur book adds $800 each week to the prize fund for the most popular combination contest in town. Since there will be no contest this week, the contest will offer twice the starting pot for next Wednesday's contest. The prize fund for the 'Win-Quin' on Wednesday, Jan. 26, will start at $1,600. The buy-in is $10 per entry with limited entries per person. ...

The Sunset Station has a two-week carryover on its Friday contest based on the Santa Anita races. In addition to the guaranteed $1,000 prize, all the $10 entry fees for the weekly contest goes into a SHOW pool. Selections need only stay in the money (finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd) in each of the races to qualify for the show fund. Those who sweep the card and stay in the money share in the side show pool. Since no one swept the card for the past two weeks, this Friday's show pot has swelled to $2,660 in carryover monies. So, those entering Friday at the Sunset could very well be going for four to five times the amount of the winners share in the show pool. ...

The 1999 Eclipse Award winners were announced and presented Monday night in Los Angeles. The winners:

Two-year-old colt or gelding -- Anees.

Two-year-old filly --- Chilukki.

Three-year-old colt or gelding -- Charismatic.

Three-year-old filly -- Silverbulletday.

Colt/horse or gelding 4-year-old & up -- Victory Gallop.

Filly or mare 4-year-old & up -- Beautiful Pleasure.

Sprinter 3-year-old & up -- Artax.

Male turf horse 3-year-old & up -- Daylami.

Female turf horse 3-year-old & up -- Soaring Softly.

Steeplechase horse -- Lonesome Glory.

Horse of the Year -- Charismatic.