Etc. . .

Laurel Park is is now tentatively scheduled to reopen on Jan. 22 after extended weather-related delays in rebuilding the racing surfaces. Maryland racing will continue at Pimlico through Jan. 17. . . . Zippy Chippy, winless in 100 career starts dating to 1994, has been retired by his owner and trainer, Felix Monseratte, and will become at outrider pony at Finger Lakes. A 14-year-old gelding, Zippy Chippy finished second eight times, third 12 times, and earned $30,834. . . . Hard Buck, winner of this year's Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap, will stand in 2005 at CloverLeaf Farms II in Florida for a fee of $2,500. A 5-year-old son of Spend a Buck who also won in Grade 1 company in his native Brazil, Hard Buck amassed a race record of 19-9-5-0 and $1,073,674 in earnings. . . . Fond, owned by Dogwood Stable, has retired from the races after injuring a knee. A 3-year-old daughter of Old Trieste, Fond will be in the Three Chimneys consignment at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's winter mixed sale in February. . . . John Deere, the farm-equipment manufacturer, has extended its sponsorship agreement with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Breeders' Cup through 2007. John Deere will continue to participate in the NTRA's group-purchasing program and sponsor the $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf.