Etc. . . .

strong>Laurel Park is changing its racing schedule for the last seven weeks of its winter meet. Beginning the week of Feb. 25, racing will be held Thursdays through Sundays, rather than the current Wednesday through Saturday. The president of the Maryland Jockey Club, Chris Dragone, said, "I think it's easier to get people out on a Sunday than a Wednesday - we're thinking it might make a difference after football season." . . . The second and final day of New Zealand Bloodstock's premier yearling sale ended Tuesday with records for gross, average, and median. Topped by a Redoute's Choice-Popsy colt who brought about $1,127,446, the two sessions sold 387 horses for a total of about $59,961,105, for an average price of about $154,938 and a median of about $116,647. . . . Walmac Farm in Lexington, Ky., has named Peter Taaffe as its stallion manager. Taaffe, previously the farm's director of boarding services, takes over from Ron Gilbert, who will become manager of Winding Oaks Farm in Lexington.