Etc. . . .

John E. Cooper, executive secretary of the National Steeplechase Association from 1946 to 1976, died Thursday at age 93. His tenure was noted by significant improvement in the type of fences jumped. . . . John J. Hanley, who had been a jockey, a racing official, and general manager of Tampa Bay Downs, died Tuesday. He was 70. . . . Youbet.com, the online horse racing wagering company, said late Thursday that Gemstar, the parent company of Television Games Network, sold its entire stake in the company in a five-million share stock sale Thursday morning. Youbet said the sale will not affect Youbet's agreement to accept wagers on TVG-exclusive tracks.