A total of 35,078 foals have been registered for the North American crop for 1997, according to new Jockey Club figures, a decrease of .8% over the '96 crop of 35,353 foals. The number could increase slightly, however, since the Jockey Club has relaxed its registration deadline and now allows horses to be registered after their two-year-old years for a $2,000 fee.

The `97 count currently includes 32,059 foals in the United States, 2,279 in Canada, and 740 in Puerto Rico. Kentucky leads all states with 8,930 registrations, followed by Florida (3,526), California (3,119), Texas (2,163), and New York (1,229).

The Jockey Club estimates an increase in foals crops for 1998-2000, peaking at an estimated 36,700 for 2000.