GOLDEN GLIMPSES #72 GOLDEN GLIMPSES #72 BAFFERT FOCUSED ON TRIPLE CROWN FOR SILVER CHARM
Broadway-bound Bob Baffert's toughest assignment over the next few days won't be getting Silver Charm ready to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.
"It's these damn phones," said racing's latest media darling, who now has a sense of what being thrust into the public spotlight brought to Elvis. It's all Baffert can do these days to go out for a hamburger without waving off literati, autograph hounds and other assorted attention seekers. Jay Leno even mentioned Silver Charm in his monologue.
"As far as going for the Triple Crown, I don't even think about it," Baffert said. "I'm just training the horse like the Belmont is the next five-hundred grander. I'll think about it when I show up in New York. When I see that horde of press, I'll probably get a knot in my belly and go on with it. By that time, all of my training will be done. We won't have to worry about bleep. All we'll have to do is gallop him into the race."
And make no mistake about it, Baffert can do that. Saying Baffert can't train is like saying Michael Jordan can't elevate on his jump shot. Baffert is no fluke. I mean, Baffert winning the Triple Crown wouldn't exactly be like Eddie the Eagle winning a gold medal in the Olympics.
And so far, so good. Baffert's recognition factor, laissez faire personality and refreshing if somewhat R-rated turn of a phrase, could make this trip to New York for the Belmont Stakes on June 7 the most anticipated invasion of the Big Apple since The Beatles.
Still, Baffert is focused on keeping Silver Charm on the same regimen that enabled the gritty gray colt to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, both by a pulsating head. The 44-year-old trainer knows full well what a Triple Crown winner would mean for racing, an industry whose interest factor rates somewhat below last week's video release. But Baffert managed to keep it in his ribald perspective.
"I might walk around very aroused for about 10 days after that if we win it," Baffert said, only he used an X-rated version of "very aroused." "You'd be surprised at how much Silver Charm's Derby and Preakness victories have transcended racing," Baffert added, turning serious. "I went to an Angels' game the other night and threw out the first pitch and got to talk to Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. Griffey and I talked for 20 minutes and I couldn't believe it when he told me how many people have jumped on Silver Charm's bandwagon."
Short of a Pick Six carryover, this is just what the doctor ordered for racing: a Triple Crown prospect directed by a trainer whose signature white hair and dark sunglasses make him as identifiable as Michael Jackson, with or without the mask; a handsome, eloquent rider in Gary Stevens, who not only has top agent Ron Anderson booking his mounts, he now has a major international representative, the William Morris Agency, seeking other gigs; and the unabashed exuberance of Bob Lewis and his wife, Beverly, as owners.
The drab, hum-drum business of racing has become so routine and has factions splintered in so many diverse directions, it is scurrying merely to keep its greedy head above water.
Unfortunately, there is plenty of room on the bandwagon.
GOLDEN PICKS
CHRISTMAS BOY -- Christmas came early at 4-1 for backers of gelding who aired by 12 at $25,000 level in first start since last June. Tab right back.
KELLERIC -- Flores never moved a muscle as this first-timer breezed home against claiming maidens. Has enough in tank to handle tougher.
MOTHER JONES -- Well-meant first-timer was off slowly and no match for Christmas Boy, but won't be a maiden long with similar effort.
THE HOMESTRETCH: This could be the deepest year for quality 3-year-olds since 1957, when Bold Ruler, Gallant Man and Round Table dominated their division . . . Kent Desormeaux is confident the speedy Free House can get the mile-and-a-half of the Belmont. "I don't think the distance is any problem," said the jockey who missed by a head in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness. "He's probably as game or gamer than the rest of them." . . . An information-gathering process is underway by the California Horse Racing Board involving alleged rules violations by jockey R.V. Torres . . . Trainer David Hofmans is hoping to have Breeders' Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup ready for his comeback race in the June 29 Triple Bend Handicap at seven furlongs . . . Alex Solis on courageous Captain Bodgit, who was retired after straining his left front tendon following the Preakness: "I'll remember what he contributed to racing, how he was a huge part of the Triple Crown and so special to overcome all the obstacles -- coming from far back to win the Florida Derby, just getting beat in Kentucky, handling an off track and running well despite no pace. He always gave a great effort." . . . Gary Stevens will visit England June 17-20 to ride at the Royal Ascot meet. They don't call it royal for nothing. It's the meet at which the Queen of England usually honors her subjects with an appearance, and the meet that is best-remembered in the classic film, "My Fair Lady," when the late Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle lapsed into her street urchin persona and asked the horse she was backing to "move yer bloomin' arse!" . . . Add Golden winners: Just Diet, $14 . . . Best thing about the NBA playoff telecasts: no Dick Vitale . . . Despite the spiteful simulcast impasse, on-track and Southern California handle was up through Hollywood's first 18 days. Average on-track handle of $2,441,665 showed a slight increase of .6 percent, while the average of $3,662,788 at Southern Cal simulcast sites was up 4 percent. The combined average of $10 million was even with 1996 despite a 4.7 decline in out-of-state handle due to the deadlock with the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association. Last year, daily average handle from Nevada exceeded $500,000. "The numbers are very encouraging," said Hollywood Chairman R.D. Hubbard. "It appears that some of the money from Nevada is finding its way back into the Southern California system, whether that be on-track or through participating simulcast outlets throughout the state. We're hopeful we can sustain or increase business the remainder of the season. Kentucky Derby and Preakness days were very successful, and our best live races are yet to come." Meanwhile, fans and horsemen suffer most.
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