Etc. . . .

Afleet Alex was named Florida-bred horse of the year and statebred 3-year-old champion Tuesday by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, and his dam, Maggy Hawk, was named broodmare of the year. His owner, Cash Is King Stable, was top owner, and his breeder, John Martin Silvertand, was named breeder of the year. Other equine awards went to Notebook (stallion of the year); Double Honor (active stallion of the year); Wild Fit (juvenile filly); In Summation (juvenile male); Hot Storm (3-year-old filly); Revved Up (older male); Umpateedle (older female); Lost in the Fog (sprinter); and David Junior (turf). . . . Stonewall Farm in Versailles, Ky., has hired Clark Shepherd and John Gasper. Shepherd will serve as a pedigree and mating analyst, while Gasper - a former trainer, racing official, and bloodstock agent - will work as a bloodstock associate. . . . Stall applications for the 2006 Arlington Park meet, scheduled to run from May 5 through Sept. 12, are now available either online at www.arlingtonpark.com or by contacting Valerie Riggs in the Arlington racing office at 847-385-7719. Applications must be received no later than Friday, March 3.