GOLDEN GLIMPSES #54 GOLDEN GLIMPSES #54 TRACK LAWYER SAYS O.J. MAY BE THROWN FOR A LOSS
O.J. Simpson, who has provided Jay Leno with more monologue material than Dan Quayle and Michael Jackson combined, is batting 1.000, with victories in his criminal trial and his custody case.
But Darrell Vienna, the accomplished horse trainer and noted attorney, feels the verdict in the current civil trial will go against the Diety of Denial and former football great.
The 50-year-old Vienna, who obtained his law degree at Loyola Law School, offered two reasons why everyone this side of life on Mars has been absorbed, enamored and intrigued with the Saga of Simpson.
"It's a set of circumstances that are compelling," the Los Angeles native said. "And, it was constantly brought to the attention of the public. If it hadn't been televised or didn't continue to appear in the papers, it may have died down.
"But the reason it appears on television and the reason it appears in papers is that people are compelled to follow it. It's kind of like they feed each other."
Could the international interest be at a such a fever peak because the majority of people feels justice has not been served?
No, according to Vienna.
"They were paying attention even before they knew the verdict," he pointed out. "It has all the entities to create that kind of interest -- murder, hints of sex, violence. They all sell television."
If Vienna had defended O.J., would he have employed the strategy that brought the not guilty verdict?
"It's hard to say, considering I don't know all that was going on behind the scenes. Looking at the case, my first reaction was that it appeared hopeless. But they won the case when they picked the jury . . . I think if you listen to what the jurors said, and what certain members of the black community said, and the deal that was made by (Johnnie) Cochran, I think this was primarily a case of people who were going to set things right for years of injustice.
"That may seem illogical, but there was a search by the jury for a role model in the community, although O.J. wasn't a participant to any great degree, as it appears, in the black community. But he is a member of that ethnic group, and that had great notoriety."
Where did the prosecution fail?
"They failed in the selection of the jury. With regard to the presentation of the evidence, I think that a reasonable group of people, based on at least what we saw, could have come to a conclusion that found him guilty."
What verdict will be rendered in the civil trial?
"Given a different jury, and given that the burden of proof is so much lower, I would look for the defendant to lose."
GOLDEN PICKS
ESPARTERO -- Irish-bred colt had eventful trip while breaking from No. 1 post in U.S. debut, closed courageously to finish fourth. Should benefit from first start in three months and land in winners' circle pronto versus allowance turf runners, but don't expect 13-1 next time.
HEISTANHEG -- Brazilian-bred made strong move from last along fence when Desormeaux had to take up sharply, almost going down, costing any chance at a placing. Mandella runner will prosper from first race in two years against allowance turf routers.
JUST JOKIN JAY -- Victim of obvious speed bias and tripping incident nearing 1/4 pole. Should show true colors versus moderate routers.
MR. ANSWER MAN -- Ran winning race in defeat in first route try, but couldn't handle romping winner. Won't tarry long among maidens.
THE HOMESTRETCH: Bet on this: if the on-going simulcast stalemate between California tracks and the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association isn't settled during Santa Anita's meet, it could continue through the three-month spring/summer session at Hollywood Park, viewed in some quarters as the culprit in the deadlock. Hollywood bit the bullet during its recent 36-day meet and did not offer its signal to Nevada casinos. The crux of the matter is not the percentage paid by NPA or the duration of the deal, but rebates offered by casinos to its valued customers . . . Darrell Vienna, representing Patrick Valenzuela on two misdemeanor charges, says he has spoken with the troubled rider, who told him "he's interested in getting his life straightened out and getting back to riding again." Valenzuela has a pre-trial hearing set for April 29 . . . Pat's cousin, Fernando, meanwhile, is off to Dubai where he has a four-month contract. Fernando was so anxious to start packing, he canceled his ride on Fierce in Friday's ninth race. Joy Scott picked up the mount and won with the 6-1 shot . . . Trainer Gary Lewis is pointing Lucky Forever for a February comeback. The crack sprinter has been sidelined with tendon and ankle problems, but holds the world record of 1:13 1/5 for 6 1/2 furlongs, set at Hollywood . . . Dick Mandella has the Feb. 2 San Antonio Handicap on Gentlemen's schedule as a stepping stone to the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap on March 2. The trainer still can't believe how poorly the South American import ran on dirt in his U.S. debut -- dead last -- before winning three straight grass races and the main track Native Diver Handicap. "I don't have an answer," Mandella said. "I just hope the owners don't blame me." . . . Simulcast betting nationally at Hollywood dipped 5.7 percent, due mainly to Nevada's race books not taking the signal, which cost about $500,000 in daily handle. Other figures also showed declines: overall average handle, 6.3 percent; on-track average handle, 8.6 percent; and average on-track attendance, 4.1 percent.
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