Holbrook death explored by 'Most Wanted'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After trainer Barbara Holbrook was shot to death last fall, investigators were unable to locate her former husband and suspected killer, Roger Holbrook. The trail for the suspect went cold in a hurry, and updates concerning the murder soon vanished from the media.

This weekend, the heat is being turned up again.

"America's Most Wanted," the popular television program that is watched each week by as many as 10 million viewers, is featuring a piece on the Holbrook murder on its Saturday telecast. The show airs on FOX at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.

Barbara Holbrook, 52, had taken out a restraining order on her former husband just days before her body was found Nov. 3 in her trailer home, which was located in a rural area near the small town of Yorkville, Ind. Barbara Holbrook was a moderately successful trainer based primarily at River Downs in Cincinnati. Roger Holbrook, 57, worked in various capacities at several tracks, including River Downs and Mountaineer Park.

A publicist with AMW said the lack of substantial progress in solving the case led the Dearborn County (Ind.) Sheriff's Office to request the assistance of the television show. AMW has been a FOX staple since 1988 and has led to the capture of about 750 fugitives, an average of a little more than one per telecast. The show asks its vast audience to help track down criminals.

Boana, Miu Miu in turf feature

A field of nine fillies and mares has been entered in the Friday feature at Churchill Downs. Boana and Miu Miu figure among the top contenders in the $47,400 allowance race, which is scheduled for 1 1/8 miles on grass and is carded as the ninth of 10 races.

First post is 2:45 p.m. Eastern.

Jockeys Pat Day and Robby Albarado are not named on any mounts Friday or Saturday. Both are scheduled to ride at Pimlico on those days.

'Cat' among Dogwood probables

Churchill racing officials are expecting a field of six to eight 3-year-old fillies for the feature race here Saturday, the $100,000 Dogwood Stakes.

Definite runners for the 1 1/16-mile, Grade 3 race are Double Scoop, Golden Marlin, My Trusty Cat, and Sue's Good News. Others under consideration are Austin's Mom, Buy Out Time, Risky Kitten, Westerly Breeze, and Wildcat Queen.

Unlike in recent years, Churchill will not offer its own separate wagering pools on Saturday's Preakness. Fans can bet the Preakness through full-card simulcasting from Pimlico.

Brief respite for Take Charge Lady

Take Charge Lady, the 4-year-old filly who finished a close second to Azeri in the April 5 Apple Blossom in her last start, will not race until next month. Take Charge Lady is "moving forward" from a minor foot bruise but will miss the next round of major races in her division, said trainer Ken McPeek.

McPeek said the June 14 Fleur de Lis at Churchill or the June 21 Ogden Phipps at Belmont are realistic goals for her next start.

Family photo

The second race here Wednesday nearly resulted in what might have been known as a "Huffman Heater."

Emily's Mark ($10), trained by William "Blackie" Huffman, was up in the final jump to win by a nose over Techno Vision, the 8-5 favorite trained by Huffman's older brother, Neil.

Blackie's son, Ben, is a placing judge at Churchill.

"I immediately recused myself from having anything to do with that photo," Ben said.

* Atswhatimtalknbout had his first breeze since finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby, going a half-mile here Wednesday in 47.40 seconds. Trainer Ron Ellis was in from California to supervise the work. Atswhatimtalknbout is scheduled to run next in the June 7 Belmont Stakes.

* Horseplayers who have been confused or frustrated by one facet of the Churchill Downs television signal can now relax. Will-pays that formerly did not notify fans of the amount of the original wager ($1 or $2) for daily doubles, pick threes, and pick fours are now more complete. As of Wednesday, the denomination of each wager will be displayed.