Etc. . . .

A.J. Goubler, second vice chairman of the Louisiana State Racing Commission since 1996, died Tuesday at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans at age 62 following a brief illness. Goubler is survived by his wife, Sharon, and a son, Barry. . . . Two horses were euthanized following a three-horse spill in the fifth race at Beulah Park on Friday, but their riders escaped serious injury. Dr Willie Carson was euthanized because of a leg fracture, while War Melody broke his neck in the fall, from which a third horse, Esperanza Mambo, walked away without serious injury. . . . Thistledown in North Randall, Ohio, canceled racing Friday after the eighth race of its 7&7 card with Beulah Park because of snow and high winds. Beulah Park continued to race after Thistledown canceled and completed its program. . . . Trainer Kelly Winter has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for his part in running a ringer at Calder Race Course and attempting to run a ringer at two other racetracks in Pennsylvania in 1998. Winter was convicted on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and interstate transportation of a false security at his trial in Miami. . . . Penn National Race Course will hold 204 days of live racing in 2003, with nearly all its programs scheduled for 7:25 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Matinee programs, beginning at 2:30 p.m., will be held Jan. 20, Feb. 17, and the final three cards of the year, Dec. 28-30.