NOTHING REAL QUIET ABOUT THE HYPE SURROUNDING BELMONT

          Mike Pegram's Real Quiet will attempt to become the
     12th Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred racing history at
     tomorrow's running of the Belmont Stakes, televised live on
     ABC at 4:30pm ET.  In Toronto, Rob Longley writes that Real
     Quiet's Triple Crown run is "the kind of the exposure racing
     craves in its attempt to rejuvenate what is seen as an aging
     product" (TORONTO SUN, 6/5).  Also in Toronto, Dave Perkins
     writes that racing "needs him to win.  And badly" (TORONTO
     STAR, 6/5).  But ABC's Al Michaels said that a Triple Crown
     victory "wont spark a rejuvenation" in the sport.  Michaels:
     "It won't be the salvation.  It will be a wonderful, but
     temporary moment" (Bob Raissman, N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/5).  
          READY FOR SALE: The NTRA has produced an array of Real
     Quiet merchandise, featuring the horse's distinctive red and
     yellow silks (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/5).  The
     merchandise will be available on the NTRA's official Web
     site, which launches today at www.ntraracing.com.  The site
     also includes a TV schedule, racetrack directory and coming
     events (NTRA)....The NTRA and Visa took out a full-page ad
     in USA TODAY promoting tomorrow's Belmont (THE DAILY).
          NOTES: Belmont Park officials "are hoping" tomorrow's
     crowd will match last year's attendance of 70,682 -- third
     best in race history (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/5).