ARCADIA, Calif. - Before last Monday, it had been at least a dozen years since Richard Mandella had shown his face in the Santa Ynez Valley, which makes no sense at all, since the valley is California's most famous breeding ground for quality Thoroughbreds, and no one ever really needs an excuse to drive up Highway 101 past Santa Barbara for a breath of fresh air.
But 12 years? Were there outstanding warrants with Mandella's name attached? Unpaid bar bills? Poker debts?
ARCADIA, Calif. - If you are D.G. Van Clief Jr., chairman of both the Breeders' Cup and the NTRA, you tend to get a lot of mail. Most of it is highly forgettable. But then, on very special days, some of it sounds like this:
Dec. 28, 2001
Dear Mr. Van Clief:
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you sending the print of Tiznow's performance in this year's Breeders' Cup. As you know, we showed the team the race before one of our games earlier this month and, coincidence or not, have not lost a game since.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - You didn't have to be a Patriot to realize it was a weekend for surprises.
Maybry's Boy, the Spectacular Bid winner, was the solid even-money favorite for Saturday's $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes for 3-year-olds, but was never a factor. On the other hand, Showmeitall was always a factor, never had a chance to draw a deep breath, yet prevailed by a nose under Jorge Chavez. Monthir, the second choice, challenged vigorously outside Showmeitall and the finish was something to see.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Where do Kentucky Derby winners come from?
Most often from either the Florida Derby, like Monarchos and Thunder Gulch, or the Santa Anita Derby, like Charismatic, Real Quiet, and Silver Charm. The two features are in the mainstream of classic candidates, fit comfortably on the calendar, have an attractive value of their own, and boast significant tradition.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - A shortage of horses, attributable to Hialeah's closing this winter, has had an adverse effect on Gulfstream Park's business. But one area of operation that shows continued strength and even some growth is the weekend concert series.
WASHINGTON - Except for the Preakness, the Pimlico Special is Maryland's richest, most prestigious, and most historic horse race. Won by legends such as Seabiscuit, Whirlaway and Citation, and by recent champions Cigar and Skip Away, it is an event that any racetrack would love to have as a showcase attraction.
England is now free of hoof and mouth disease, which is good news.
Unfortunately, New England's got it now.
A virulent attack of a slightly different strain, hoof in mouth disease, has broken out in New Hampshire.
A Republican candidate for governor there, Gordon Humphrey, has come down with clear symptoms, calling gambling "a scummy, sleazy enterprise" in a hearing on VLT's before the Ways and Means Committee of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - True grit.
Del Mar Show may be lacking in size but he's got all the courage and determination he'll ever need. His victory in Saturday's $100,000 Ft. Lauderdale Handicap on the turf course at Gulfstream Park was little short of inspirational, reflecting the qualities of the Thoroughbred racehorse that we have come to admire most.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Friday is supposed to be casual day, half day, thank-God-its-almost-Saturday, and it usually is. Except for this past Friday at Del Mar, where Joe Harper, the track's president, was running a board meeting with an agenda that included the election of a new chairman to replace John Mabee, the recent death of board member Stewart Bowie, the acknowledgment of Dan Smith's retirement after 25 years as director of marketing, and a review of Thursday's racing board decision to license TVG and Magna Entertainment to conduct advance deposit wagering.
