News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Inc. (TRC) (212.371.5911..)
TRAINER BAFFERT TO TAKE IN YANKEE GAME TONIGHT
Bob Baffert, who trains Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Silver Charm, will take his children to the Yankees game tonight, as his 'final prep' for the $5 million Visa Triple Crown Challenge tomorrow at Belmont Park, where Silver Charm will attempt to become the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown.
Baffert threw out the first pitch for a Mariners-Orioles game, prior to Silver Charm's success in the Preakness.
BAFFERT 'DOES' NEW YORK
Between takes with a slew of television crews and reporters, Bob Baffert took his children to Manhattan for a visit. 'We went to the Empire State Building and took the ride,' Baffert reported. 'Then we took a tour of Harlem. The kids enjoyed that -- in fact, it's the one thing they've been talking about -- 'we drove through Harlem!''
VISA TO BE BAFFERT'S CARD OF CHOICE IF HE WINS $5 MILLION BONUS
Trainer Bob Baffert has promised he'll take a pair of scissors with him to the winner's circle if his horse Silver Charm becomes the 12th Triple Crown winner and earns the $5 million Visa Triple Crown Challenge Bonus at Belmont Park tomorrow. Baffert swears he'll cut up all his other credit cards and says, 'If we win this, I will ONLY use Visa from now on.'
PREAKNESS WIN TOO CLOSE FOR BAFFERT
When his horse Cavonnier edged to the wire with Grindstone in last year's Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert thought he'd won the race and was caught on camera celebrating a victory that turned out not to be his. Not wanting seem too confident this year when Silver Charm scored a head victory over Free House in the Preakness Stakes, Baffert held back, refusing to think that he'd won.
'It was hard to see and there were shadows on the finish line,' Baffert recalled. 'Bob Lewis (Silver Charm's owner) was convinced we won. I wasn't sure. I had a 72-year-old man with glasses tell me we won! It wasn't until (trainer) Nick Zito told me we won that I believed it. As soon as Nick gave the OK, then I believed it.'
BELMONT RACING ON TELEVISION
June 6, Silver Charm Special, 10:30-11:00 p.m., espn2
June 6, Triple Crown Challenge, 11:00-midnight, espn2
June 7, Belmont Stakes Special, 3:30-4:30 p.m., ESPN
June 7, Belmont Stakes, 4:30-6:00 p.m., ABC
June 7, 2Day at the Belmont Stakes, 6:00-6:30 p.m., espn2