The Turf authorities have set aside nearly Rs 8 crore as stake money for which 50 trainers are engaged to tune up 1,650 contenders with assistance of 100 jockeys and 200 riding and permission boys.

The prestigious Indian Derby is programmed on February 7, 1999, while the Invitation Cup, running in rotation at different centres, is slated for March 7, 1999.

For the first time, the authorities have planned a very ambitious five races on a single day offering a million each on February 14.

The race days: November 1998: 19, 22, 26 and 29. December: 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 25, 27 and 31. January: 3, 6, 7, 11, 13, 17, 20, 21, 24, 27 and 28. February: 3, 4, 7, 14, 17, 18, 21, 24, 25 and 28. March: 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 21, 25 and 28. April: 3, 4, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 22, 24 and 25.