ARCADIA, Calif. - If The Pamplemousse is going to be a good horse, maybe even a Derby contender, then the rest of us might as well get used to the name.
In French, it means "grapefruit," which is fine, but has nothing to do with his sire, Kafwain, which means "doubly strong" in Arabic, or his dam, the Rubiano mare Comfort Zone, which is where The Pamplemousse should be on Saturday in the $200,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Fully aware that this is being written on Ash Wednesday, I thought I would try giving up "Jockeys" for Lent. I can't.
They've got me hooked, but not on the fiery romance of Mike Smith and Chantal Sutherland (think Tracy and Hepburn with flak vests), or the natural-born animosities of Aaron Gryder and Joe Talamo (Hatfields vs. McCoys comes to mind), or the May-December career travails of California rookie Kayla Stra and veteran Jon Court. By now, all that is old news.
TUCSON, Ariz. - Some things that appear remote and distant at first glance can have profound impact later on.
There were several in racing in recent days.
In Pennsylvania, Gov. Ed Rendell is seeking video poker terminals for some 8,800 bars, private clubs, and restaurants in the state. In present plans, there would be an average of only four at each, but that's 35,200 added to those currently at the state's racinos.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - When I wrote a recent column about "supertrainers" whose feats are so amazing that they raise suspicions about the use of illegal substances, horsemen at Gulfstream Park protested vehemently. A committee of trainers declared that these allegations brought "discredit to the game."
ARCADIA, Calif. - Before observers go all mushy about what a good week Jay Em Ess Stable just had at Santa Anita, what with the victories of emerging older star Rail Trip and the 3-year-old gelding Scored along with promising performances by the maidens Off the Wall, Supermodel, and Stash, stable manager Samantha Siegel would suggest that everyone take a deep breath and clear the tracks. The roller coaster will be heading this way again.
ARCADIA, Calif. - It's curtain time again for the West Coast troupe of interchangeable turf players, a solid band of honest performers who take turns tackling the leading role while waiting for Matt Damon or Daniel Craig to come along and send the rest of them back to the chorus.
NEW YORK - If bank failures, staggering job losses, and government bailouts haven't made it clear we're living in dire economic times, perhaps this will: The annual Marylou Whitney Gala in Saratoga Springs this August has been canceled.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Imagine this. Someday, in a special display room at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., there will be available for public enjoyment no less than nine trophies won by Dr. Fager, two by Gallant Man, Richard Stone Reeves portraits of both champions, the Eclipse Award and Breeders' Cup trophy won by Cozzene, a bronze of Met Mile winner Fappiano, and the Anthony Alonso portrait of the man who either bred, owned, or trained them all.
But hopefully not too soon.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Horseplayers have every right to be both mystified and impatient with the evolving challenges of handicapping synthetic surfaces. Some very major racetracks threw a whole lot of variables on the wall in a short period of time, giving even the most dedicated customers ample reason to turn their backs or tear their hair.