Etc. . . .

The state of Maryland will make $4.5 million in purse subsidies available to the racing industry in the state beginning July 1 under a bill passed last week. The subsidy, raised from an average takeout hike of 1.5 percent, was originally earmarked for capital improvements. . . . A tape of the Gladness Stakes, in which Johannesburg finished second in his seasonal debut, will be broadcast by ESPN at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday. . . . National Thoroughbred Racing Association officials met Monday and Tuesday with White House aides and Rep. Bill Thomas, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, to push for repeal of the 30 percent withholding tax on foreign wagers, the NTRA said. The tax has been blamed for keeping many foreign countries from taking bets on U.S. races.