Small businesses continued turning to the U.S. Small Business Administration for commercial credit in record numbers through the first three quarters of FY 2005, reflecting their confidence in the U.S. economy and the stability of the SBAloan program that backs their loans.

Small businesses secured SBA backing under the agency's flagship 7(a) program for 71,131 loans through the first nine months of the fiscal year, a 21 percent increase over the same period a year ago and a 49 percent increase over the same period two years ago.

The loans made so far this year amount to $11.1 billion, 19.5 percent more than in the same period last year, and on a clear pace for a record-setting year for the program.

The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships will head back to the Big Apple this year to Belmont Park -- Saturday, October 29. In 2001 the country yearned for some escape in the wake of the tragic events of September 11th and the Breeders' Cup did not disappoint. Breeders Cup Tickets It was the American Tiznow's famous battle against European sensation Sakhee in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic, powered by Dodge, that provided one of the most thrilling finishes in the history of the event.

From the time Wild Again, Slew O' Gold, and Gate Dancer dueled down the lane together in the first Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in 1984, the race has lived up to its billing as the showcase race on a showcase day of racing. Strategically placed as the last of the seven Cup races, a certain amount of dramatic tension is built up each year on Cup day as the day winds its way to the Classic. Rarely does the race let racing fans down.

The first Classic produced the first of many Classic surprises, with 31.30-to-1 long shot Wild Again outlasting his more fancied foes to claim the $1.35-million first place check. The race solidified Pat Day's prominence among the nation's leading riders and sent a clear signal the race would be unpredictable and exciting.

The next two years saw outsiders triumph through Proud Truth (7.40-to-1) in 1985 and Skywalker (10.10-to-1) the next year. But 1987 saw the most formful and dramatic Classic to date. Kentucky Derby (G1) winners Ferdinand and Alysheba worked their way past Judge Angelucci and Candi's Gold inside the eight pole, then staged a pulsating duel the final 100 yards, with Ferdinand getting up by the slimmest of margins to clinch Horse of the Year honors. Undaunted, trainer Jack Van Berg brought Alysheba back to the Classic in 1988, and this time the bay son of Alydar would not be denied, defeating Seeking the Gold by a half-length to sew up 1988 Horse of the Year honors and wind up his career with record earnings of $6,679,242. The Classic was blessed with another classic duel in 1989, as that year's leading three-year-olds, Sunday Silence and Easy Goer, filled the top two positions, Sunday Silence prevailing by a rapidly diminishing neck on his way to Horse of the Year honors.

The 1990`s kicked off with another Pat Day triumph, this time aboard Unbridled. But the Classic would soon be known for the exploits of another leading East Coast-based jockey, Jerry Bailey. Bailey won his first Classic in 1991 with a crafty, front-running ride aboard Black Tie Affair (Ire). After Eddie Delahoussaye guided A. P. Indy to victory in 1992, Bailey's lock on the Classic took hold. Riding Arcangues, a French-based son of Sagace who had never run on dirt before and was dismissed at 133.60-to-1, Bailey produced the biggest shock in Cup history in the `93 Classic, drawing away from favored Bertrando to win by two lengths. Bailey would win the next two Classics aboard Concern and the incomparable Cigar, giving him four victories in five years in the world's richest race. His bid for a fifth victory was thwarted in 1996, when Cigar--making his career finale--could only finish third, beaten a nose and a head.

In 1997, Skip Away turned in the most dominating performance in Classic history. The four-year-old, ridden superbly by substitute jockey Mike Smith, moved to the lead with five furlongs remaining, then drew off with disdain to triumph by six lengths, setting a Breeders' Cup Classic record with a time of 1:59.16.

A similar effort was not in the cards the next year at Churchill Downs, however. Racing over a track he was not comfortable on, Skip Away finished sixth as the 1.90-to-1 favorite. Awesome Again, undefeated in 1998, won a stirring, unusual stretch drive with Silver Charm and Swain (Ire), who went almost to the outside rail under Lanfranco Dettori. The race's purse, inflated by supplemental fees, was $5.12-million, making it the richest race ever run.

Day made it back-to-back Classics in 1999, expertly guiding 19.60-to-1 long shot Cat Thief to a 1 _-length victory over 26.50-to-1 long shot Budroyale. Surprisingly, the victory was Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukass first in the $4-million race.

"We had a record year for this loan program a year ago, and we're going to set another record in 2005," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "It tells us that the critics are wrong, that small businesses are confident enough to invest in the future of the American economy, and that this program is here to help them do it. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of the self-funded footing on which the President has placed the loan program, and the confidence that lenders have in its stability. I am very pleased with this performance so far this year."

The gains are also reflected in the SBA's Certified Development Company, or 504, loan program. Through the first nine months of the fiscal year, the 504 program had issued 6,434 loans worth $3.44 billion, more than 6 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, when the program had produced 6,058 loans for $2.88 billion.

The budget for the current year makes more than $21 billion available to small businesses through the two loan programs, including $16 billion in small business lending under the 7(a) program and $5 billion under the 504 program.

For information on applying for an SBA loan, visit the SBA's extensive Web site