SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Will this be the year for a Triple Crown?
During my childhood, one of my favorite things was to watch horse racing with my grandfather.
We affectionately called him “Bumpy,” and he was very good at picking winners. He loved going to a place called OTB, which is short for off-track betting.
He also enjoyed visits to regional tracks down in New York, including Yonkers, Aqueduct, Belmont and others.
Horse racing, that’s one passion my grandfather passed down to me.
But, I haven’t been able to do much celebrating these days because the last time horse racing had a Triple Crown winner I wasn’t even six years old.
I couldn’t point to Bowie, Texas, on a map. I couldn’t string together complete sentences to write a story. I couldn’t even tie my own sneakers.
Belmont Park, located in Elmont, N.Y., has become the place for broken dreams, sullen spirits and bettors pulling out their hair. Elmont is also the home of former Dallas Cowboy and NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde.
This weekend, the Belmont Stakes will run with a 5:50 p.m. Central Daylight Time post time. You can watch the event on your local NBC affiliate or online at NBC Sports Live Extra.
The track announcer is Larry Collmus, although my grandfather’s favorite was Fred Capossela, and his unique call became part of comedian Robert Klein’s routine in 1974.
Secretariat (with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard) holds the course record with a dazzling time of 2 minutes, 24 seconds during the 1973 event.
The field has been set for the race, with American Pharoah attempting to become the latest horse with a chance to win the coveted Triple Crown.
American Pharoah, with trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza, has been installed as the favorite at 2-3 odds.
Other possibilities to win, and break everyone’s hearts, are Frosted (6-1), Materiality (13-2), Mubtaahij (14-1) and Madefromlucky (16-1). The long shot is Frammento at 40-1. Those odds were as of Friday morning, courtesy Odds Shark.
Can American Pharoah pull it off? Read more of this column in the weekend Bowie News.
American Pharoah. (Courtesy photo by Coady Photography)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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