Kids to the Cup, the national organization designed to attract, educate and encourage young racing fans, assumed a prominent role in this year's America's Day at the Races at Del Mar Racetrack on Labor Day, Sept. 3.

The group sponsored an interactive exhibit that allowed racing fans of all ages to announce a famous race from an assortment of Breeders' Cup moments. Over 80 fans seized the opportunity to strap on the headsets and microphones and to announce posts parades and racing action from the following menu of events:

1995 Classic–Cigar

1991 Juvenile–Arazi

1988 Distaff–Personal Ensign

1987 Classic–Ferdinand

1984 Classic–Wild Again

Each racing fan received a free videotape of their call and the race, compliments of Kids to the Cup.

"It was great to see fans really getting into calling the races," said KTTC president Trudy McCaffery, "especially the kids. Most of these races took place before many of them were born, but that doesn't stop their enthusiasm. I guess a great horse race sustains its allure through the years."

Several members of KTTC joined the activities including on of the youngest, Christopher Bassett, 8, from nearbye Oceanside, CA who marched up to the KTTC exhibit, extricated his membership card from his wallet and declared, "I'm here." He and his father, Tom, co-announced a renewal of Arazi's immortal win.

Katee Whitesell, 15, and her mom made the trip from Mission Viejo and teamed up to call a race as did KTTC member Ali La Duke, 17, from Orange. "This is so much fun," beamed La Duke after her turn at the microphone. "I want to go again."

Bob Feld, father of KTTC member Sean, 14, sneaked away from his Class Racing Stable exhibit long enough to take a stab at one of the races along with a fellow horse owner. Later, Sean made his own video and released the eventual winner of the afternoon's featured Del Mar Derby Romanceishope to all who would listen.

Future KTTC members also joined in the fun as the exhibit attracted a stream of youngsters who were introduced to KTTC at the event. "I've been looking for something like this," said one girl from Barstow, as she showed a flyer to her mother.

Several adults joined in the fun including Eclipse Award-winning Los Angeles Times Columnist Bill Christine who did an awesome job of calling the epic inaugural B.C. Classic battle between Wild Again and Gate Dancer. "I was fine until the end when I called Gate Dancer the winner," laughed Christine, whose miscue added fuel to the fire that he can't pick a winner even after the race is finished. He then promptly made a donation to KTTC. Maybe he does know a winner when he sees one, after all.