Tabasco

President Ernesto Zedillo faced a critical test of his promised new era of federalism and reform Thursday after ruling party leaders in Mexico's troubled southern state of Tabasco overran an international airport, seized a major radio station and blocked most roads leading to the state's capital.

The newly elected governor of Tabasco state was sworn in Saturday while 3,000 protesters in the capital's central square demanded new elections. Hundreds of riot police guarded government buildings, but no clashes were reported. The demonstrators, mainly peasants, claim Roberto Madrazo Pintado of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) won the Nov. 20 election through fraud and voter intimidation.

Trainer Charlie Whittingham believes critics are too quick to judge the nation's 3-year-olds. "It happens all the time," Whittingham said. "Before they even turn 4, they're saying that it's a bad crop. You really don't know until later. Well, this year, they didn't get the chance. The 3-year-olds were real good, and most of them are still around. It's the deepest group I've seen in years, and most of them are out here."

The first time John Henry ran on grass, after winning three of 18 starts on dirt, he won by 14 lengths. What followed was a mostly grass career that produced four Eclipse Awards for turf and a grass record of 30 victories and $5.2 million in purses. Lure struggled on dirt at the start of his career. Introduced to grass at Belmont Park, the same track where John Henry had made his turf debut 14 years before, Lure won by 10 1/4 lengths and went on to win the Breeders' Cup Mile in 1992 and '93.

Ever since the Hollywood Derby was moved from the main track to the turf in 1981, a large field has been all but guaranteed. In fact, the race was split into divisions for seven consecutive years and eight of 10. Last year, 14 3-year-olds started and 16 were entered Friday morning for Sunday's 54th running of the Derby. However, only 14 will be allowed to run. Mighty Forum and Psychobabble are the also-eligibles. Although a full field was expected, Tabasco Cat didn't seem a likely participant.

Colonial Affair took the lead in the early stretch and won the Jockey Club Gold Cup by two lengths over favored Devil His Due on Breeders' Cup Preview Day at Belmont Park on Saturday. Southland-based Tabasco Cat, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner, finished fourth behind Flag Down. Go For Gin, the Kentucky Derby winner, vied for the early lead but finished last for his fifth consecutive loss. He and Tabasco Cat were the only 3-year-olds in the nine-horse field.

Tabasco Cat set a slow pace on a muddy track and scored a two-length victory in the inaugural $400,000 Kentucky Cup Classic on Saturday at Turfway Park. Truth Of It All pressed the pace for six furlongs, putting a head in front of Tabasco Cat on the second turn. As Tabasco Cat regained the lead, Mighty Avanti surged by on the outside at the quarter pole, and Pat Day went to the whip on Tabasco Cat, who pulled away. Mighty Avanti was second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Best Pal.

Trainer Wayne Lukas says a victory today by his Tabasco Cat in the Kentucky Cup Classic, and victories in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 8 at Belmont and in the Breeders' Cup on Nov. 5, would give his colt a chance to be voted horse of the year over the leading candidate, Holy Bull. Tabasco Cat is the 7-5 morning line favorite in the $400,000 Kentucky Cup Classic. The 1 1/8-mile race is the highlight of Turfway Park's first $1-million Kentucky Cup Day of Champions.

There were doubts Holy Bull could win at 1 1/4 miles. It was said he couldn't handle pressure. But the gray colt handled pressure throughout the 1 1/4 miles Saturday at Saratoga and won the Travers Stakes, holding off Concern by a neck at the wire. "He's a true champion, and there can't be any doubters today," said Mike Smith, Holy Bull's jockey. Tabasco Cat, the Preakness and Belmont winner, was never a factor and finished third, 17 lengths back in the five-horse field.

Today's confrontation between Holy Bull and Tabasco Cat has most of the elements of great drama. They will face each other in a historic race, the Travers Stakes, before a crowd of more than 40,000 at Saratoga. The 3-year-old championship will be at stake and the horse-of-the-year title might be on the line too. Only one ingredient is missing: suspense. There is no doubt which of the two is the better horse. Holy Bull is--by many lengths.