NTRA PLACING ITS BETS ON EX-GOLF CZAR SMITH AS FIRST COMMISH

          TIM SMITH, who served as Deputy Commissioner of the PGA
     Tour during the '80s, was named the first Commissioner of
     the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA).  Smith
     called the NTRA "exactly the kind of situation I enjoy most. 
     You have an under-structured, under-marketed sport that has
     a lot going for it but is not organized to compete in
     today's marketplace."  Smith said that a "greater effort"
     will be made to build enthusiasm for the Triple Crown and
     the Breeders Cup, and added "[w]ith some attention, some
     decent television and marketing initiatives, we can rejoin
     the ranks of major sports" (Tom Pedula, USA TODAY, 4/22). 
     Smith previously held "top level" jobs at ACOG and the ATP
     Tour and has been working with the NTRA as a consultant for
     "several months" (Bill Finley, N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/22).