ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - When Bold America starts Saturday in the Spectacular Bid Stakes, the 72-year-old trainer Richard Hazelton will drive to the track in his modest maroon pickup truck, no doubt wearing his trademark cowboy hat - probably the straw one.
Forty-five years ago, when Hazelton had another fleet 2-year-old, things were different. A colt of his had beaten up on Turf Paradise stock and was eligible for a $2,000 stakes purse there.
"I said forget about that," Hazelton said. "I bought me a suit and went to Hollywood."