Churchill Downs Incorporated has announced record earnings of $63.1 million for the third quarter of the year, an increase of 89% over the same period last year.
    If that's the truth you would think Churchill would take $10,000 and fix the Twin Spire pole that has been leaning since prior to the Derby.
    The problem with the pole arose over the winter and was the butt of many jokes during Derby Week, before it was corrected only days before Derby Day.
    But apparently Churchill choose to use a quick-fix remedy and now the pole (lightning rod) has, for a lack of a better description, again become ajar and leaning noticeably.
    This situation is an embarrassment to Churchill Downs, an outfit that wants to rule the racing world, yet won't take care of their business at home.
    And now Captain Tom is so far up the corporate pyramid that his job is now that of "visionary" for all of Churchill's business ventures.  No way he would concern himself with something so trivial as a busted Twin Spire.
    So while Churchill's front office is sitting around pattin' themselves on the back over record earnings, we've got a little problem on the roof that goes largely ignored.

    $63.1 million in third-quarter earnings is what Captain Tom wants you to read, but that does not tell the whole story.

1. Furlongs - 2nd best restaurant in the world (Furlongs  in Lexington is #1).

2.  Porcini's - Love Man's and Cabbage Head's favorite  spot.

3. Vito's Pizzaria on Preston - Best pizza in the world

4. John E's - The foods great and the bar is even better.

5. Pat's Steak House - The best steaks in 7 states.

6. Wagner's Drug Store - Miss Kitty serves up great  breakfast and lunch specials, but the crowd is a little  rough.

7. Lindy's on Preston Highway - Great family style food  and all-you-can-eat buffet on weekends.

8. Buckheads on the River (Jeffersonville, Indiana) -  Best ribs in Kentuckiania.

9. Peppermint Lounge - Real good soup and  sandwiches.

10. Kern's Korner (Bardstown Rd.) Best cheeseburgers  anywhere.

    Despite the efforts of Donnie Richardson, Jerry Botts and one of the best racing office crews in America, Churchill's Fall Meet is gonna suffer at the entry box.
    And when that happens, its not gonna be Donnie Richardson's fault nor Jerry Botts'.  Its gonna be Captain Tom's fault.
    A serious drain on the race horse population at Churchill Downs will be none other than Churchill's own Hoosier Park, which despite its location will run through the entire month of November.
    In fact, at least 30% of the horses stabled at Churchill Downs could run for more purse money at Hoosier Park.
    That's great for Hoosier Park and the horsemen who run there.  But is that a healthy situation for Churchill Downs, who in the past has always offered their patrons an abundance of full fields in the fall?
    Once again, ol'Captain Tom ain't takin' care of business at home.
    Tom Meeker may be the greatest business man in the world, but running Hoosier Park up against Churchill's Fall Meet just proves that he knows very little about horse racing.
    But hopefully by Thanksgiving when Churchill will have been forced to run far too many (Howard) Battlefields, Captain Tom will dummy up.

1st    Unbridled Gamble 2nd  Penwest
Loser's List:  AOP Heights

1st    Russian Emperor (IRE) 2nd  Mt. Paradise
Loser's List:  Rio Gambler

1st    Miracle Dancer  2nd  Texastoothpick
Loser's List:  Wild Tempest

1st    Smilen'Emily  2nd  Riders Selection
Loser's List:  Seaside Escape

1st  Golden Illusion  2nd  Could Be
Loser's List:  Redliner

1st    Camino Cielo  2nd    Juan Valdez
Loser's List:  Hawaian Lord

1st    Beauty Brush  2nd    Judith Lynne
Loser's List:  Remuda

1st    Ray Of Happiness  2nd  Gamblingisavirtue
Loser's List:  Madam West

1st  Run Johnny  2nd  Leave A Legacy
Loser's List:  Tactical Cat

1st  Frio Rio  2nd  Raw New
Loser's List:  Bluff and Bet

Mitch Shirota  9 for 9
Elvin Walden  8 for 40
D. Wayne Lukas  7 for 52
Lynn Whiting  6 for 12
Paul McGee  6 for 17
Niall O'Callaghan  5 for 25
Bobby Barnett  5 for 21
Dale Romans  5 for 19
Forrest Kaelin  4 for 10
Harvey Vanier  4 for 15

Allied Forces  $5,000
Confide  $5,000
Evansville Slew  $2,000
Favorite Trick  $30,000
Gentlemen  $30,000
Irgun  $2,000
Is It True  $8,500
Lasting Approval $6,500
Miswaki  $40,000
Nureyev  Private
Phone Trick  $30,000
Salt Lake  $20,000
Saratoga Six  $5,000
Talkin Man  $5,000
West By West  $12,500
John T. L. Jones, Jr.  (606) 299-0473
General Manager    Fax:  (606) 299-1259

*John Hennig

    Breeders' Cup editions and November Sales editions of Indian Charlie will be available at the KTA office and Luckett's Tack Shop.