Etc. . . .

Kieren Fallon's appeal of his 18-month suspension for a second cocaine positive was denied Friday by France-Galop, the nation's racing authority, and he is banned from riding until Aug. 8, 2009. Earlier in the week he reached an agreement to ride workouts for his former retainer, Michael Stoute, in Newmarket. . . . The Kentucky Breeders' Incentive Fund awarded $15.5 million in incentives to Thoroughbred breeders for 2007, $2.85 million in sire stakes purses for Standardbreds, and more than $1.3 million in other breed prizes, with the $19.2 million total up from $15 million in 2006. The fund is financed by the state's 6 percent sales tax on stud fees. . . . Some openings remain for the golf tournament benefiting the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to be held at the Diplomat Country Club and Spa in Hallandale Beach, Fla., on Feb. 19. Entries, with an all-inclusive fee of $200 per person, should be placed by Feb. 14, with Bill Hirsch at 954-454-9375, 516-356-6678, or whirsch@nyc.rr.com.