Etc . . .

Kipper Kelly, sire of track-record-setting millionaire Kelly Kip, died Sept. 11, apparently of a heart attack, at Indian Ridge Farm in Duson, La., at age 17. A Valid Appeal horse, Kipper Kelly won 15 of 31 starts, earned $1,157,142, and has sired 11 stakes winners from 11 crops, with current progeny earnings of $11,525,526. . . . Strong Hope, whose retirement to Claiborne Farm was announced last week, will stand in 2005 for a $30,000 fee. Strong Hope, a 4-year-old Grand Slam colt, will be available for viewing next week at Claiborne, outside Paris, Ky. . . . Kentucky Downs ended its six-day meet Tuesday with a record all-sources total handle of $12,067,052 for 44 races. That was an increase of 23 percent over the track's last 44-race meet, held in 2002 and followed by a 36-race stand last year. . . . Heavy rain in the Wilmington, Del., area Tuesday night flooded a portion of the grounds at Delaware Park, causing the cancellation of Wednesday's racing. . . . Jim Lauck, an Indianapolis attorney, has been appointed chairman of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission by Gov. Joseph Kernan. Lauck will replace Dick Darko, whose term expired on Sept. 1.