Golden Glimpses

GOLDEN GLIMPSES #28

BURT BACHARACH MAY 'WALK ON BY' HOLLYWOOD GOLD CUP
Burt Bacharach, who loves watching his horses run more than he does winning awards for his music, faces a serious Hollywood Gold Cup quandary. He may not be able to see his Soul of the Matter run in the June 30 race.

"I'm performing two concerts in London on June 28 and 29," said the internationally acclaimed singer, composer, producer and conductor, who has won three Academy Awards, multiple Grammys, two Emmys, a Tony and a Drama Desk Award.

His most famous songs include "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," "Alfie," "The Look of Love," "Walk on By," and "What the World Needs Now is Love."

"I have two shows at the Royal Festival Hall with the BBC Radio Orchestra," added Bacharach, remarkably trim and fit despite celebrating his 67th birthday on May 29. He still has the looks of a matinee idol.

"I can take the Concorde early next morning into New York, and then I'd have to make a connecting flight to Los Angeles. I'll do my best to get back."

In addition to Soul of the Matter, Bacharach is likely to have another of his stakes winners in action on Gold Cup Day. Afternoon Deelites is scheduled to run in the Triple Bend Breeders' Cup Handicap.

Trainer Richard Mandella, after listening quietly to Bacharach's plight, brought a huge laugh when he asked innocently: "I guess I don't get to go to the concert then?"

GOLDEN PICKS

HIGHLAND SPORT -- First-time starter broke well enough, but dilly-dallied for a half-mile while racing wide, then unleashed a powerful stretch kick to finish second. Should handle maiden claimers next time at five furlongs or better for Craig Lewis.

THE HOMESTRETCH: It's his party and he'll fly if he wants to: If Cigar runs in Arlington's contrived $1-million race under allowance (weight-for-age) conditions, it's a safe bet it will be on Saturday, July 13, and not Sunday, July 14. Why? Because some television network should want to present Cigar's opportunity to equal Citation's modern North American record of 16 straight victories, and it's a safe bet that network will be ABC, using its Saturday "Wide World of Sports" venue. This would present a conflict of sorts for owner Allen Paulson, who is the honoree that night of Concern Foundation which is throwing its 22nd annual bash at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. Depending on how fast Paulson hops a helicopter and boards his private jet out of Chicago, he could be on hand for Concern's Block Party, which starts at 7 p.m. If not, he won't be the first award winner to miss a ceremony. It happens often at the Oscars. Founded in 1968, Concern Foundation has raised and awarded in excess of $17 million for research projects worldwide in the areas of cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Paulson is dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. His brother, Marvin Paulson, and his mother-in-law, Laura Baker, died from the disease, and his brother-in-law, H.J. (Bill) Baker, currently is fighting cancer

. . . Remembering Big Cy: When Citation won 16 straight from 1948 into 1950 (he did not race due to injury in 1949), he won at distances from six furlongs to two miles, and his winning margins ranged from one length to eight lengths. But the most racing's first millionare ever won in any race was $91,870, in the 1948 Preakness. The least was $2,600 in an overnight race at Arlington Park. During his streak, his highest odds were 2-5, when he ran as an entry in the Kentucky Derby. His odds during the Sweet 16: 1-5, 1-10, 2-5, 1-10, 1-10, 1-5, 1-3, 1-5, 1-10, 1-10, 1-3, 1-6, 1-10, 1-20 and 3-20. He won the 1948 Pimlico Special in a walkover.

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