Split meet at Blue Ribbon?

Blue Ribbon Downs, a small track in Sallisaw, Okla., that was recently purchased by Choctaw Nation, has requested 61 dates of Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing for 2004.

The track would like to conduct a spring meet from Feb. 21 to May 1, officials said, then reopen for a fall session the first weekend in August. The fall season would run through Oct. 31.

Blue Ribbon's request is subject to approval from the Oklahoma Racing Commission.

* There are no stakes the next two weekends at Sam Houston, but the track plans to run three stakes Jan. 17, led by the $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup.