The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 87

Friday, Nov. 5, 1999 D7 SPORTS The Atlanta Journal-Constitution HORSE RACING TUf Steeplechase trying to diversify fan base Callaway event welcomes families 4 PRO FOOTBALL Landry's leukemia not in remission FROM NEWS SERVICES Tom Landry's family confirmed Thursday that the former Dallas Cowboys coach has not entered remission in his battle against leukemia. The family released a statement saying Landry was in Baylor University Medical Center "as patients at this stage of treatment are susceptible to infection." "While he has not yet gone into remission, the family remains optimistic that the treatment will be successful," the statement said. Former Cowboys quarterback purse of more than $100,000. The low purses make it diffl-' cult for steeplechasing to.

attract anyone but the wealthy to breed, train and race in this sport. 1 Pairing steeplechasing with flat-track races is bound to diversify the fan National Steeplechase Assr ciation executive vice presi-' dent Charles Colgan said, By Michelle Hiskey STAFF WRITER Only a fraction of the 10,000 spectators expected at the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens will follow all the drama unfolding over the fences. Many of them might know that two horses, Little Hunt and Muscle Car, have a shot pur mtmmwwmmasmmbasimm When: Saturday. AJI A- If BEN GRAY Staff Strong safety Marty Carter (right, foiling a pass to Minnesota's Randy Moss) is questionable for Safety Carter hurts knee; Broolcing at '90 percent' "We've, had an a image as an upper, crust, rich man's sport," Colgan said, "and that's i of worked against us. We're trying to dispel that image of wealthier peo-' pie having a good time.

There's plenty of room for everyone 'else. A steeplechase at winning the $1 million Sport of Kings Challenge, the big money event of the day. A few insiders know the sport's jockey and owner races could turn on the results of this late-season event. But most of the fans will have their minds more on tailgating than T3n TYiiere; iiiaway Gardens, Pine I Mountain. Times: First race is I 12:30 p.m.

Five steeplechase races follow two pony I races. I Tickets: Must be bought in advance. Information: Call 706-324-6252 or use I the Internet I www.steeplechaseat callaway.org Falcons strong safety Marty Carter sprained a knee in practice FALCONS NOTEBOOK MATT WIN KELjOHN Staubach was quoted in USA Today as saying Landry hadn't responded to chemotherapy as doctors had hoped. Landry, 75, has been under treatment since May for acute myelogenous leukemia, known as AML Tests Thursday and left the field. He is questionable for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, although the severity Tom Landry hasn't responded to chemotherapy, former quarterback Roger Staubach said.

recognition. You get linemen pulling out on you." Leaves change, Falcons win If the Falcons are going to turn their season around, the time is right. Their November record of 15-7 over the past five years is second-best in the NFL, trailing only San Francisco (17-5). The Falcons were 5-0 last November, and 4-1 in 1997. TV talk "It's important for us to be on television as much as we can because we have a lot of fans who don't get to come to a lot of games.

It's a great advertising vehicle for us." general manager Harold Richardson. Extra points The Falcons, who don't have a game next week, are 2-8 in games played the week before a bye, and 7-3 in games following byes. The Jags, who are allowing a league-low 9.9 points per game, have given up seven touchdowns in seven games. After turning the ball over 16 times in their first six games, the Falcons have one turnover in the past two. The Jaguars have a league-best 4-0 mark on the road.

is a great family day and that's a theme we're trying to express." The marketing push is spearheaded by NSA board president George Straw-bridge, a Philadelphia bank investor and heir to the Campbell's soup fortune; His Augustin Stables has produced the winningest record on the circuit this season. Wesley Fay, who oversees Saturday's event at Callaway Gardens, welcomes, the NSA's aggressive sales approach. She said she thinks her venue could accommodate thousands more fans, and getting them in the gate would be a lot easier with more media attention on the sport. "Steeplechasing is always billed with the upper crust tea and crumpet crowd, and that's hard to overcome," she said. "Sports fans need to get more educated about steeplechasing." figuring out which horse is which, and that's true at the 32 steeplechases held each year east of the Mississippi.

The movers and shakers behind the sport, however, are taking the first steps in trying to make their thoroughbreds and jockeys as famous as NASCAR drivers and PGA pros. They have started a series of races to link their sport with the Triple Crown. They also have started lobbying big-money sponsors and are pushing for more television exposure. Now, steeplechases are mostly local events that prompt well-to-do fans to pencil in the same date each year for an all-day outdoor party. Other than a five-minute weekly ESPN segment, there's no mass media coverage of steeplechasing.

And there's not much money in the sport, either. Callaway Gardens is one of the five richest events, with a shall, who snaps on punts where his greater speed is an asset, is the backup. Jacksonville left tackle Tony Boselli remains questionable with a sprained knee. Hot in the slot When a sprained right knee kept nickel back Eli Williams out of last Sunday's game, starting cornerback Ronnie Bradford moved into that spot, giving the nickel safety spot to McBurrows. Williams' knee is better, but he's still questionable.

Whoever is in the nickel spot Sunday will see a lot of wide receiver Keenan McCardell, who has 29 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns. "When you're playing the slot, you've got a lot more field to cover because a receiver is able to run underneath, or run out on you," Bradford said. "There's a lot of linebacker play. It takes a lot of reading, and pattern of the sprain was not known. Five-year veteran Gerald McBurrows backs up Carter, who has 85 total tackles, 25 more than any other defender.

Meanwhile, weak-side linebacker Keith Brooking, who has missed three consecutive games with a sprained right knee, is as comfortable as he's been since suffering the injury Oct. 10 at New Orleans. "I feel a whole lot better," said Brooking, who remains questionable. "It's probably 90 percent. Running straight ahead, I'm fine.

It's the quick change of direction that bothers me a little." Also, starting left guard Greg Bishop returned to practice in a limited role, and was upgraded from doubtful to questionable with a sprained left knee. Even if Bishop doesn't start, and Bob Hallen does, Bishop might retain his role as snapper on kicks. Reserve linebacker Whit Mar- showed in August that the disease had at least been brought to the stage of temporary remission but that more treatments were necessary. "Chemo is the medicine for the type of leukemia he's got," Staubach told the newspaper. "When it gets him into remission, they don't know." The newspaper said Landry, who led the Cowboys to five Super Bowl appearances and two victories, was too weak to attend a banquet last week during which he and Staubach were honored with Lifetime Achievement I.

I awards. Landry also canceled an appearance Thursday Dallas. Landry coached the Cowboys from 1960, their first season, through 1988 and is third in NFL Now Get G-KIail, Stock Quotes, v3p mm mm history with 270 victories. Around the NFL BEARS: A memorial service for Walter Payton will be held Saturday at Soldier Field. Payton, the NFL's career rushing leader, died Monday of bile duct cancer at age 45.

BENGALS: Cincinnati signed free agent Eric Kresser for depth at quarterback. With Akili Smith hurt and Jeff Blake starting, that left only rookie Scott Covington as a backup. BUCS: With Eric Zeier nursing sore ribs, coach Tony Dungy said he probably would start Trent Dilfer, who was benched last week. CHARGERS: Jim Harbaugh will return as starting quarterback Sunday against Denver, replacing Erik Kramer, who has been ineffective, CBS SportsLine reported. GIANTS: Defensive tackle Robert Harris will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to stabilize his right ankle.

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