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June 30, 1998 By ED GOLDEN SKIP AWAY GIVES HINE A SUNNY DISPOSITION Call him Sunny, as in sunny disposition. This is the guy who’s been labeled a grumpy old man? He sounded like a Dale Carnegie graduate. Hubert (Sonny) Hine certainly won friends and influenced people. He was polite. He was gracious. He spun yarns. He answered all questions. Patiently. Earnestly. As did his wife, Carolyn. And this was on Thursday, at the draw for post positions, three days before Skip Away won Sundays $1 million Hollywood Gold Cup, leading from start to finish in a mile-and-a-quarter race that included Gentlemen, who conquered Skip Away in the 1997 Pimlico Special. The Hines have no children, so Skippy is their kid, the sunshine of their lives. He makes them happy, not to mention rich. But, Sonny and Carolyn emphasize, money isnt everything. Its not like we need the money now, Sonny said. Were having fun with Skip Away. Before, when we came to California, Carolyn couldnt afford to go to Rodeo Drive. Now she can. Sonny’s been training for 50 years and never had a horse like this. He trains Skip Away for his wife. Skip Away, a 5-year-old gray horse, has won seven straight races, 16 of 34 lifetime. With $600,000 he won in the Gold Cup, his career earnings are $8,906,360, second to Cigars $9,999,815. Sonny wants Skip Away to break Cigars record. Sonny says he’s turned down $20 million for Skip Away, who could make his next start in another $1 million race, the Aug. 15 Pacific Classic at Del Mar. This has been a trying week with this horse, Hine said after the Gold Cup, referring to the two times Skip Away got loose while training at Belmont, causing his feet to create hangnails. His feet were broken up so badly, nails wouldn’t stay in his shoes. Hine said Skip Away would have to stop training up to 10 days, while cosmetic work is done on his feet. If theres anyway I can make the Pacific Classic, I will, Hine said. If this is Skip Away’s last year of racing, and he’s sold, Hine said the sale will be part of a charitable trust. He might run next year, if they’re weight-for-age races. When Skip Away’s racing career does end, for Sonny and Carolyn, it will be like losing one of their own. Sure, Carolyn loves her husband, but Skip Away is her passion I’m not too sure how I’m going to accept it when he’s retired, she said. He gets no special treats, doesnt care for carrots or candy. We just give him tender, loving care. We live in Florida. I don’t need jewelry. I don’t need furs. Skippy has a special place in my heart. I carry a picture of him in my wallet, but not one of Sonny. What’s Sonny say about that? He just laughs. All the way to the bank. THE HOMESTRETCH: Jerry Bailey, Cigars regular rider and unbeaten in six rides on Skip Away, on which horse is better: When they both ran together, Skip Away beat him. Maybe that tells you something. Ill have a special place in my heart for Cigar, but maybe Skip Away is a better horse. Hines on Skip Aways critics: I guess theyll say he didnt beat anything again (in the Gold Cup), but whos left? . . . Gary Stevens has first call on all of Bob Bafferts talented stock, including a barnful of quality 2-year-olds. Where does that leave Kent Desormeaux, who came within the bob of a nose of winning the Triple Crown for Baffert with Real Quiet? That (decision) is so far down the road we havent even come to it, Baffert said. Its nobodys business who rides Real Quiet. Its not even an issue now. When we come to that bridge, well cross it. The issue for me right now is to get my 2-year-olds straightened out. Said Ron Anderson, Stevens agent: At this point its a coin-toss on whether Gary would take Real Quiet or stay with the Belmont winner (Victory Gallop). Its not a matter of worrying about the other riders feelings. He (Desormeaux) wouldnt worry about us. Well just have to see what Gary wants to do. Said one race track insider: Real Quiet is Stevens for the taking. Ten years ago, friendship between jockeys might have prevented this, but this business is dog-eat-dog these days. . . . Baffert said the $1 million Haskell Handicap at Monmouth Park on Aug. 9 is one of the races were looking at for Real Quiet . . . Hine, 67, has 26 horses in training. Ten are 2-year-olds, Hine said, but one is a 9-year-old, a $14,000 claimer Ive been training for seven years. Hes owned by a 95-year-old woman (Zelda Cohen, wife of the late Pimlico owner, Ben Cohen). . . . Jockey Chris Antley is galloping horses and could resume riding soon after being idle since last November. First, however, he must bring paper work to California Horse Racing Board investigators showing his personal problems, including rehab, are behind him. Antleys weight reportedly is up to 125 pounds. He has to lose four or five pounds, said Anderson, who will handle Antleys business when he returns . . . As reported first in Gaming Today 10 months ago, six-time Fairplex Park riding champion David Flores will not ride on a regular basis at the Pomona track when it starts its 19-day run on Sept. 10. California is a 12-month grind, especially for these guys who ride Pomona, said his agent, Jim Pegram, whose brother, Mike, owns Real Quiet. Its a lot to ask to ride all year. Somewhere along the line, you need a break. The money was good at Pomona. But Davids reached another plateau now and we didnt want owners to perceive him as just a great Pomona rider. Hes more than that. Theres nothing wrong with Pomona. Its a great meet and I hope they keep having it. . . . We hear: banished jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who hasnt ridden since his suspension last Oct. 7, was hopeful of resurrecting his troubled career on a minor league circuit in Florida. One problem: after a lifetime of crying wolf, what racing jurisdiction is going to grant him a license? . . . Alex Solis, who only last year reigned supreme as Southern Californias leading rider, had won only 11 races from 157 mounts through Sunday, a dismal 7 percent. Remarkably, he had finished second 37 times with 24 thirds. Solis win on Son of a Pistol in Sundays Triple Bend Handicap was his first stakes win, 51 days into the meet. Solis skid seemed to hit just after his second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on Victory Gallop. After that, he lost the mount to Stevens, who ultimately won the Belmont Stakes to deny Real Quiet the Triple Crown . . . As usual, Baffert and Wayne Lukas will unleash some talented 2-year-olds at the Del Mar meet which starts July 22, but Bob Hess Jr. also has some juveniles worth watching . . . When first-time starter Dixieland Sham got up to win Sundays fourth race at 13-1, it was the first winner for Jenine Sahadi after 70 straight losses, dating to last Feb. 7 . . . The trial of former Calumet groom Alton Stone began on June 24 in Houston. Stone was charged with giving false statements to a grand jury last August. In dispute is how Stone came to be a last-minute replacement for Calumets regular night watchman the night 1978 Triple Crown runner-up to Alydar broke a leg at the Kentucky farm. If you want the gripping, incredible, blow-by-blow downfall of storied Calumet Farm, Ann Hagedorn Auerbachs Wild Ride is a must read. *** |
GOLDEN GLIMPSES #121
