Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press Veteran Jerry Bailey: back in the saddle this week. Click photo for larger image.

The Meadows, its horsemen and The Meadows Chaplaincy Program are holding an auction Nov. 8 to benefit track people who suffered losses during the Sept. 17 flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ivan.

"We had several who lost everything they had," said Pastor Joe DiDonato of the chaplaincy program. "We had several at Arden Downs lose all their equipment. They had horses under water to their necks. They got them out, but they lost all their equipment."

The chaplaincy used some of its emergency fund to help victims buy basic items, and DiDonato hopes to raise enough money not just for the victims but to at least partially replenish the fund.

Auction items are expected to include all variety of donated racing equipment, but other items such as furnishings also are welcome. The event starts at 6 p.m.

Anyone wishing to donate money or items for the auction should call the race office at 724-225-9300, extension 2364, or the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association at 724 228-3644.

Bailey back

Jockey Jerry Bailey, whose arm was broken the final week of the Saratoga season, resumed riding Thursday with two non-winners.

Bailey had made what was to be a quick trip to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to prepare his home for Hurricane Frances. But he fell off a ladder, used his left arm to break his fall and sustained a "non-displaced hairline fracture" of the wrist.

"It's good to be back," Bailey told the New York Racing Association after one of his rides.

During his injury, Bailey lost the mount on top turf horse Kitten's Joy to John Velazquez, but he held on to the ride on defending Breeders' Cup Classic champion, Pleasantly Perfect. Bailey said he also has other Breeders' Cup rides lined up.

Triple Crown split

The New York Racing Association has split from Triple Crown Productions and made its own deal for televising its signature race, the Belmont Stakes.

ABC Sports will televise the Triple Crown finale in 2006, a year after NBC's five-year contract to televise the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont expires.

ABC televised the Triple Crown races from 1986-2000 before Triple Crown Productions signed its deal with NBC.

NYRA's deal with ABC Sports also includes the rights to distribute the race on ESPN International, ESPN.com, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Classic.

TV ratings vary for the Belmont. In years during which there has been a chance for a Triple Crown sweep, the Belmont has gotten higher ratings than the Derby and Preakness. In years with no crown on the line, it has been the least-watched race of the series.

More NYRA news

Still without a president/CEO, NYRA now is losing its board chairman Barry Schwartz.

Schwartz announced Oct. 8 he would resign his position Dec. 31.

According to Thoroughbred Times, Schwartz said earlier he would continue as chairman if NYRA hired former National Thoroughbred Racing Association Commissioner Tim Smith as president/CEO. Smith, however, turned the job down.

Horse bits

Recently retired handicapper Peace Rules will stand at stud at Vinery's new operation in Florida; his fee is set at $15,000. ... The Cliff's Edge, winner of this year's Blue Grass Stakes, sustained a fractured right front ankle during the Jockey Club Gold Cup and is headed to Vinery Kentucky as a stallion. ... Sightseek was retired after winning the Beldame Stakes last week; breeding plans for the $2.4 million winner were not announced. ...

Retired Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron has resigned as general manager of Santa Anita Park to become executive vice president of industry relations for Santa Anita's owner, Magna Entertainment Corp. ... Jockey Rafael Bejarano won the riding title at Turfway Park's concluded fall meet. ... The Maryland Jockey Club has for a third time delayed the re-opening of Laurel Park, which is undergoing a $16 million renovation. It is set to re-open Dec. 26. ...

Top sire Lear Fan has been pensioned after 20 seasons at stud at Gainesway Farm; he'll join a group of pensioned stallions that include Lyphard and Bates Motel. ... Attendance at last weekend's Keeneland's Fallstars Weekend was up 32 percent from last year; attendance was 60,825 for the three days. On-track handle was up 25 percent and totaled 46,875,371.