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The New York State Racing and Wagering Board on Thursday denied a request from the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation to take bets on Palm Sunday this year. Last year, New York City OTB opened 37 branches on Palm Sunday despite a warning from the board to remain closed. Linear Lights, a 4-year-old gelding, set a Golden Gate Fields record for 5 1/2 furlongs Wednesday, clocking 1:01.99. That edged the 1:02 by Proudest Honor in 1986. . . . A Gentlemen colt breezed a furlong in 10 seconds Tuesday at the under-tack show for the Barretts March select 2-year-old sale, set for March 2 in Pomona, Calif. The day's fastest work over a quarter-mile was 22.30 seconds, posted by a Bernstein filly.