Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Sportsbook: In Theatres Soon
Sportsbook: In Theatres Soon
February 18, 2004
Mark Lugo, a screenwriter living in Palm Beach, Florida, has created a movie about offshore gambling called Sportsbook.
Lugo visited Costa Rica and lived there for a period of time in order to capture what is increasingly becoming a major part of sports in North America.
In Sportsbook, Lugo tries to show how bookies head offshore in order to keep certain forms of gambling legal. "I am delighted to finally have finished such a delicate piece that uncovers, in an artistic way, a very real part of American life. Everybody bets on sports, from college professors to surgeons to policemen. Everybody bets on sports. This film will, without a doubt, cause much controversy among the sports industry, from the NFL, NCAA and Major League Baseball," said Lugo in a release.
"It has a hint of horse racing. There are a few scenes. Some with dog racing as well. I live in Palm Beach and actually went to the dog track out by the airport and did some research with guys who bet on the dog track. We are touching upon racing, but it is mainly concerned with football and basketball," Lugo told the TROT Insider today.
As for how realistic the movie is: "The same way there may be another side to horse racing not shown in Seabiscuit, there are some things not shown in Sportsbook. I lived in Costa Rica for a while, while I was writing the script, and I was able to sit down with a lot of the guys that own these operations. But a lot of the time it would be ‘I’ll tell you this much, but I’m not going to tell you this much.’ There were conditions. So if most of the guys who bet are going to say it’s not realistic, that’s okay. Because I like my life and if they tell me not to say something, I’m not going to say it."
The film was developed by Mark Lugo and First Flight Out Films, an entertainment company in the US that develops films about topics which are part of American life, but rarely discussed.
Although, First Flight Out Films is still seeking a partnership with a major production house, according to the release it is confident that audiences will have a chance to see the other side of the sports world by no later than early next year. "We are willing to produce the film independently, if no major production house comes forward with reasonable offers," said Lugo. "A few years ago Bryant Gumbel, HBO Real Sports, did a segment on sports gambling that totally fascinated me. I had to write a movie about this. And I did."
Sportsbook production updates will be available on the company's website, FirstFlightOut-Films.com, starting February 20.
Sportsbook: In Theatres Soon
February 18, 2004
Mark Lugo, a screenwriter living in Palm Beach, Florida, has created a movie about offshore gambling called Sportsbook.
Lugo visited Costa Rica and lived there for a period of time in order to capture what is increasingly becoming a major part of sports in North America.
In Sportsbook, Lugo tries to show how bookies head offshore in order to keep certain forms of gambling legal. "I am delighted to finally have finished such a delicate piece that uncovers, in an artistic way, a very real part of American life. Everybody bets on sports, from college professors to surgeons to policemen. Everybody bets on sports. This film will, without a doubt, cause much controversy among the sports industry, from the NFL, NCAA and Major League Baseball," said Lugo in a release.
"It has a hint of horse racing. There are a few scenes. Some with dog racing as well. I live in Palm Beach and actually went to the dog track out by the airport and did some research with guys who bet on the dog track. We are touching upon racing, but it is mainly concerned with football and basketball," Lugo told the TROT Insider today.
As for how realistic the movie is: "The same way there may be another side to horse racing not shown in Seabiscuit, there are some things not shown in Sportsbook. I lived in Costa Rica for a while, while I was writing the script, and I was able to sit down with a lot of the guys that own these operations. But a lot of the time it would be ‘I’ll tell you this much, but I’m not going to tell you this much.’ There were conditions. So if most of the guys who bet are going to say it’s not realistic, that’s okay. Because I like my life and if they tell me not to say something, I’m not going to say it."
The film was developed by Mark Lugo and First Flight Out Films, an entertainment company in the US that develops films about topics which are part of American life, but rarely discussed.
Although, First Flight Out Films is still seeking a partnership with a major production house, according to the release it is confident that audiences will have a chance to see the other side of the sports world by no later than early next year. "We are willing to produce the film independently, if no major production house comes forward with reasonable offers," said Lugo. "A few years ago Bryant Gumbel, HBO Real Sports, did a segment on sports gambling that totally fascinated me. I had to write a movie about this. And I did."
Sportsbook production updates will be available on the company's website, FirstFlightOut-Films.com, starting February 20.
MSNBC - Three $1,567,984 pick six tickets cashed
One bettor was close to winning $4,703,953.80 By Steve Andersen
Daily Racing Form
Updated: 9:12 p.m. ET March 06, 2004ARCADIA, Calif. - The three winning tickets worth $1,567,984 each from Santa Anita's pick six on Wednesday were cashed on Thursday and ranged in cost from $64 to $2,160.
The $64 ticket was purchased through the New York OTB network. A winning $288 ticket was purchased at Viejas Casino in Alpine, Calif., near San Diego. It was cashed on Thursday afternoon by a nine-person partnership, according to Santa Anita officials.
The $2,160 ticket was cashed Thursday at Churhill Downs Trackside in Louisville, Ky., Santa Anita officials said.
Interest in the pick six reached a fever pitch on Wednesday after a three-day carryover from Friday through Sunday reached $1,413,136. The gross pool of $7,302,848 was a record.
The payoff could have been $4,703,953.80 to a single winner if 75-1 Flying Kegan had not broken down in deep stretch of the eighth race. Flying Kegan was leading and appeared to be on his way to a win when he was fatally injured.
Track officials said there would have been one winning ticket if Flying Kegan had won. None of the eventual winning tickets cashed Thursday included Flying Kegan.
The New York ticket had two singles, and two horses in the last race. The ticket purchased at Viejas had one single (River Lights in the third race), used two horses in two races, three horses in two races, and went four deep in the second leg. The ticket used three horses in the eighth race.
The ticket cashed at Churhill Downs Trackside used three horses in the last race.
The consolation returned $3,169.20.
Bettors added $5,889,712 to Wednesday's pick six, creating a record gross pool. The previous record for a gross pool was $6,657,311, set at Santa Anita on Jan. 23, 1991.
The winning horses in Wednesday's pick six were River Lights ($7.60), Deputy Tombe ($20), Rave Party ($5.20), Ditch Digger ($4.20), Ran for the Dough ($24.40), and Houston Astro ($66.20).
Rave Party and Ditch Digger were favorites. Paddy Gallagher trained two of the winners - Deputy Tombe and Ran for the Dough - and said he had a pick six ticket with five winners.
The winning payoff was not a Santa Anita record. The record of $2,687,611 was set on Breeders' Cup Day last October.
Interest in the pick six led to an all-sources handle on the Wednesday card of $15,252,590, the fourth-highest handle of the meeting.
The carryover may not have come at a good time for Santa Anita. On Saturday, the track is offering a guaranteed pick six pool of $1 million in conjunction with the Santa Anita Handicap program. Bettors might not have the bankrolls to challenge two lucrative pick six pools in the same week.
Saturday's pick six covers the sixth through 11th races, including the day's three stakes - the $200,000 San Rafael Stakes, $350,000 Kilroe Mile, and the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap.
Santiago jumps right in with 11 wins
Even though he did not arrive until six weeks into the current meeting, jockey Javier Santiago is on the verge of cracking the top 10 at Santa Anita.
A native of Puerto Rico, Santiago had 11 wins through Wednesday and was tied for 12th in the standings with Emile Ramsammy. Alex Solis leads with 56 wins.
Saturday, Santiago has mounts in two major stakes - Consecrate in the San Rafael, and Needwood Blade in the Kilroe Mile. He has six other mounts on the 11-race program.
Santiago was scheduled to ride Sarava in the Big Cap, but trainer Bob Baffert pulled Sarava from the race last weekend, saying he was unhappy with the weights.
On Sunday, Santiago travels to Fair Grounds, where he rides Wimbledon for Baffert in the Louisiana Derby.
His success in the past month has moved Santiago closer to a goal he set shortly after arriving in early February.
"I'd like to be in the top five, but if I'm in the top 10, I'll be happy," Santiago said through jockey agent Tony Matos. Santiago, 26, speaks limited English.
He moved to California from Puerto Rico at the insistence of Matos, who was tipped to the jockey's ability by friends and retired jockeys Eddie Belmonte and Angel Cordero Jr.
"I chose him because of what I saw," Matos said.
Matos showed tapes to several Santa Anita trainers before urging the rider to relocate.
Santiago won two races on Feb. 4, his first day at Santa Anita.
Matos says this is not a short-term trip. He said that Santiago is looking for a home and has brought his wife and two preschool-age children from Puerto Rico.
"For him being here the first two or three weeks, he felt like he set himself up in the beginning and that his business will get better," Matos said.
Santiago was a top rider in Puerto Rico and had ridden in the past in Delaware and Florida.
"They ride tighter here - it's different than Puerto Rico," Santiago said. "It's easier here. There are not so many crazy riders. It's safer."
Oaklawn BC next for Cat Fighter
Cat Fighter, who was sold for $1.35 million at Tuesday's dispersal of The Thoroughbred Corp.'s stock at Barretts, will make her next start in the $200,000 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Handicap on March 13.
Cat Fighter was purchased by John Sikura and will be co-owned by Audrey Haisfield. Cat Fighter will remain with Baffert. She won her first stakes in the La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies on Feb. 14.
Memorial service Monday for Russell
Memorial services for John Russell will be held at noon on Monday at Ascension Episcopal Church, 25 E. Laurel Ave., Sierra Madre, Calif.
Russell died on Feb. 25 at his home in Del Mar after a battle with cancer. He was 67. Russell trained the champions Susan's Girl and Track Robbery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution be sent to Tranquility Farm, P.O. Box 210, Tehachapi, CA 93581.
No rain expected to fall on Big Cap
After two weeks of occasional rain, conditions should be fine for Saturday's Santa Anita Handicap. The forecast calls for a high temperature of 74.
Track president Jack McDaniel said Santa Anita is hoping for a crowd that exceeds the 2003 audience of 25,803, the lowest Big Cap crowd in track history.
Minister Eric puts in six-furlong move
Minister Eric, the runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last October, worked six furlongs in 1:14.60 on Thursday. Trainer Richard Mandella hoped to start Minister Eric in an allowance race this week, but the races did not fill. He is hoping to get a start for the colt next week.
Star Cross, second to Pleasantly Perfect in the San Antonio Handicap on Jan. 31, breezed three furlongs in 35 seconds in advance of Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap. The workout was the fastest of 24 recorded works at the distance.
One bettor was close to winning $4,703,953.80 By Steve Andersen
Daily Racing Form
Updated: 9:12 p.m. ET March 06, 2004ARCADIA, Calif. - The three winning tickets worth $1,567,984 each from Santa Anita's pick six on Wednesday were cashed on Thursday and ranged in cost from $64 to $2,160.
The $64 ticket was purchased through the New York OTB network. A winning $288 ticket was purchased at Viejas Casino in Alpine, Calif., near San Diego. It was cashed on Thursday afternoon by a nine-person partnership, according to Santa Anita officials.
The $2,160 ticket was cashed Thursday at Churhill Downs Trackside in Louisville, Ky., Santa Anita officials said.
Interest in the pick six reached a fever pitch on Wednesday after a three-day carryover from Friday through Sunday reached $1,413,136. The gross pool of $7,302,848 was a record.
The payoff could have been $4,703,953.80 to a single winner if 75-1 Flying Kegan had not broken down in deep stretch of the eighth race. Flying Kegan was leading and appeared to be on his way to a win when he was fatally injured.
Track officials said there would have been one winning ticket if Flying Kegan had won. None of the eventual winning tickets cashed Thursday included Flying Kegan.
The New York ticket had two singles, and two horses in the last race. The ticket purchased at Viejas had one single (River Lights in the third race), used two horses in two races, three horses in two races, and went four deep in the second leg. The ticket used three horses in the eighth race.
The ticket cashed at Churhill Downs Trackside used three horses in the last race.
The consolation returned $3,169.20.
Bettors added $5,889,712 to Wednesday's pick six, creating a record gross pool. The previous record for a gross pool was $6,657,311, set at Santa Anita on Jan. 23, 1991.
The winning horses in Wednesday's pick six were River Lights ($7.60), Deputy Tombe ($20), Rave Party ($5.20), Ditch Digger ($4.20), Ran for the Dough ($24.40), and Houston Astro ($66.20).
Rave Party and Ditch Digger were favorites. Paddy Gallagher trained two of the winners - Deputy Tombe and Ran for the Dough - and said he had a pick six ticket with five winners.
The winning payoff was not a Santa Anita record. The record of $2,687,611 was set on Breeders' Cup Day last October.
Interest in the pick six led to an all-sources handle on the Wednesday card of $15,252,590, the fourth-highest handle of the meeting.
The carryover may not have come at a good time for Santa Anita. On Saturday, the track is offering a guaranteed pick six pool of $1 million in conjunction with the Santa Anita Handicap program. Bettors might not have the bankrolls to challenge two lucrative pick six pools in the same week.
Saturday's pick six covers the sixth through 11th races, including the day's three stakes - the $200,000 San Rafael Stakes, $350,000 Kilroe Mile, and the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap.
Santiago jumps right in with 11 wins
Even though he did not arrive until six weeks into the current meeting, jockey Javier Santiago is on the verge of cracking the top 10 at Santa Anita.
A native of Puerto Rico, Santiago had 11 wins through Wednesday and was tied for 12th in the standings with Emile Ramsammy. Alex Solis leads with 56 wins.
Saturday, Santiago has mounts in two major stakes - Consecrate in the San Rafael, and Needwood Blade in the Kilroe Mile. He has six other mounts on the 11-race program.
Santiago was scheduled to ride Sarava in the Big Cap, but trainer Bob Baffert pulled Sarava from the race last weekend, saying he was unhappy with the weights.
On Sunday, Santiago travels to Fair Grounds, where he rides Wimbledon for Baffert in the Louisiana Derby.
His success in the past month has moved Santiago closer to a goal he set shortly after arriving in early February.
"I'd like to be in the top five, but if I'm in the top 10, I'll be happy," Santiago said through jockey agent Tony Matos. Santiago, 26, speaks limited English.
He moved to California from Puerto Rico at the insistence of Matos, who was tipped to the jockey's ability by friends and retired jockeys Eddie Belmonte and Angel Cordero Jr.
"I chose him because of what I saw," Matos said.
Matos showed tapes to several Santa Anita trainers before urging the rider to relocate.
Santiago won two races on Feb. 4, his first day at Santa Anita.
Matos says this is not a short-term trip. He said that Santiago is looking for a home and has brought his wife and two preschool-age children from Puerto Rico.
"For him being here the first two or three weeks, he felt like he set himself up in the beginning and that his business will get better," Matos said.
Santiago was a top rider in Puerto Rico and had ridden in the past in Delaware and Florida.
"They ride tighter here - it's different than Puerto Rico," Santiago said. "It's easier here. There are not so many crazy riders. It's safer."
Oaklawn BC next for Cat Fighter
Cat Fighter, who was sold for $1.35 million at Tuesday's dispersal of The Thoroughbred Corp.'s stock at Barretts, will make her next start in the $200,000 Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Handicap on March 13.
Cat Fighter was purchased by John Sikura and will be co-owned by Audrey Haisfield. Cat Fighter will remain with Baffert. She won her first stakes in the La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies on Feb. 14.
Memorial service Monday for Russell
Memorial services for John Russell will be held at noon on Monday at Ascension Episcopal Church, 25 E. Laurel Ave., Sierra Madre, Calif.
Russell died on Feb. 25 at his home in Del Mar after a battle with cancer. He was 67. Russell trained the champions Susan's Girl and Track Robbery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution be sent to Tranquility Farm, P.O. Box 210, Tehachapi, CA 93581.
No rain expected to fall on Big Cap
After two weeks of occasional rain, conditions should be fine for Saturday's Santa Anita Handicap. The forecast calls for a high temperature of 74.
Track president Jack McDaniel said Santa Anita is hoping for a crowd that exceeds the 2003 audience of 25,803, the lowest Big Cap crowd in track history.
Minister Eric puts in six-furlong move
Minister Eric, the runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last October, worked six furlongs in 1:14.60 on Thursday. Trainer Richard Mandella hoped to start Minister Eric in an allowance race this week, but the races did not fill. He is hoping to get a start for the colt next week.
Star Cross, second to Pleasantly Perfect in the San Antonio Handicap on Jan. 31, breezed three furlongs in 35 seconds in advance of Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap. The workout was the fastest of 24 recorded works at the distance.
Nascar Racing Lines
14-Mar NASCAR - GOLDEN CORRAL 500
# To Win the Tournament Odds
1 STARTS AT 1PM EST
101 BOBBY LABONTE +1000
102 BRENDAN GAUGHAN +7500
103 BRIAN VICKERS +2800
104 CASEY MEARS +5000
105 DALE EARNHARDT JR +900
106 DALE JARRETT +1800
107 ELLIOTT SADLER +2400
108 FIELD ( ANY OTHERS) +3000
109 GREG BIFFLE +3500
110 JAMIE MCMURRAY +1800
111 JEFF BURTON +2800
112 JEFF GORDON +800
113 JEFF GREEN +10000
114 JEREMY MAYFIELD +2500
115 JIMMIE JOHNSON +900
116 JOE NEMECHEK +7500
117 JOHNNY SAUTER +8000
118 KASEY KAHNE +1600
119 KEN SCHRADER +20000
120 KEVIN HARVICK +1500
121 KURT BUSCH +1000
122 KYLE PETTY +15000
123 MARK MARTIN +2500
124 MATT KENSETH +1000
125 MICHAEL WALTRIP +3500
126 RICKY CRAVEN +7500
127 RICKY RUDD +7500
128 ROBBY GORDON +6000
129 RUSTY WALLACE +2500
130 RYAN NEWMAN +900
131 SCOTT RIGGS +6000
132 SCOTT WIMMER +6000
133 STERLING MARLIN +2200
134 TERRY LABONTE +5000
135 TONY STEWART +800
136 WARD BURTON +7500
15-Mar 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP
# To Win the Tournament Odds
1 DRIVER WITH MOST PTS
2 BOBBY LABONTE +1200
3 BRIAN VICKERS +10000
4 DALE EARNHARDT JR +500
5 DALE JARRETT +1800
6 ELLIOTT SADLER +2500
7 FIELD(ALL OTHERS) +3500
8 GREG BIFFLE +4000
9 JAMIE MCMURRAY +2000
10 JEFF BURTON +4000
11 JEFF GORDON +700
12 JEREMY MAYFIELD +5000
13 JIMMIE JOHNSON +700
14 KEVIN HARVICK +1000
15 KURT BUSCH +800
16 MARK MARTIN +3000
17 MATT KENSETH +600
18 MICHAEL WALTRIP +6000
19 RICKY CRAVEN +15000
20 RICKY RUDD +7500
21 ROBBY GORDON +10000
22 RUSTY WALLACE +2500
23 RYAN NEWMAN +700
24 SCOTT RIGGS +50000
25 SCOTT WIMMER +15000
26 STERLING MARLIN +2500
27 TERRY LABONTE +6000
28 TONY STEWART +600
29 WARD BURTON +12500
Time # GLDN CORAL 500-TOP 3 Odds
14-Mar---01:00p 1001 BOBBY LABONTE +300
14-Mar---01:00p 1002 BRENDAN GAUGHAN +2000
14-Mar---01:00p 1003 BRIAN VICKERS +800
14-Mar---01:00p 1004 CASEY MEARS +1400
14-Mar---01:00p 1005 DALE EARNHARDT JR +260
14-Mar---01:00p 1006 DALE JARRETT +500
14-Mar---01:00p 1007 ELLIOTT SADLER +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1008 FIELD ( ANY OTHERS) +900
14-Mar---01:00p 1009 GREG BIFFLE +1000
14-Mar---01:00p 1010 JAMIE MCMURRAY +500
14-Mar---01:00p 1011 JEFF BURTON +800
14-Mar---01:00p 1012 JEFF GORDON +240
14-Mar---01:00p 1013 JEFF GREEN +2500
14-Mar---01:00p 1014 JEREMY MAYFIELD +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1015 JIMMIE JOHNSON +260
14-Mar---01:00p 1016 JOE NEMECHEK +2000
14-Mar---01:00p 1017 JOHNNY SAUTER +2200
14-Mar---01:00p 1018 KASEY KAHNE +450
14-Mar---01:00p 1019 KEN SCHRADER +5000
14-Mar---01:00p 1020 KEVIN HARVICK +450
14-Mar---01:00p 1021 KURT BUSCH +320
14-Mar---01:00p 1022 KYLE PETTY +4000
14-Mar---01:00p 1023 MARK MARTIN +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1024 MATT KENSETH +300
14-Mar---01:00p 1025 MICHAEL WALTRIP +1000
14-Mar---01:00p 1026 RICKY CRAVEN +2000
14-Mar---01:00p 1027 RICKY RUDD +2000
14-Mar---01:00p 1028 ROBBY GORDON +1600
14-Mar---01:00p 1029 RUSTY WALLACE +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1030 RYAN NEWMAN +260
14-Mar---01:00p 1031 SCOTT RIGGS +1600
14-Mar---01:00p 1032 SCOTT WIMMER +1600
14-Mar---01:00p 1033 STERLING MARLIN +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1034 TERRY LABONTE +1400
14-Mar---01:00p 1035 TONY STEWART +240
14-Mar---01:00p 1036 WARD BURTON +2000
14-Mar NASCAR - GOLDEN CORRAL 500
# To Win the Tournament Odds
1 STARTS AT 1PM EST
101 BOBBY LABONTE +1000
102 BRENDAN GAUGHAN +7500
103 BRIAN VICKERS +2800
104 CASEY MEARS +5000
105 DALE EARNHARDT JR +900
106 DALE JARRETT +1800
107 ELLIOTT SADLER +2400
108 FIELD ( ANY OTHERS) +3000
109 GREG BIFFLE +3500
110 JAMIE MCMURRAY +1800
111 JEFF BURTON +2800
112 JEFF GORDON +800
113 JEFF GREEN +10000
114 JEREMY MAYFIELD +2500
115 JIMMIE JOHNSON +900
116 JOE NEMECHEK +7500
117 JOHNNY SAUTER +8000
118 KASEY KAHNE +1600
119 KEN SCHRADER +20000
120 KEVIN HARVICK +1500
121 KURT BUSCH +1000
122 KYLE PETTY +15000
123 MARK MARTIN +2500
124 MATT KENSETH +1000
125 MICHAEL WALTRIP +3500
126 RICKY CRAVEN +7500
127 RICKY RUDD +7500
128 ROBBY GORDON +6000
129 RUSTY WALLACE +2500
130 RYAN NEWMAN +900
131 SCOTT RIGGS +6000
132 SCOTT WIMMER +6000
133 STERLING MARLIN +2200
134 TERRY LABONTE +5000
135 TONY STEWART +800
136 WARD BURTON +7500
15-Mar 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP
# To Win the Tournament Odds
1 DRIVER WITH MOST PTS
2 BOBBY LABONTE +1200
3 BRIAN VICKERS +10000
4 DALE EARNHARDT JR +500
5 DALE JARRETT +1800
6 ELLIOTT SADLER +2500
7 FIELD(ALL OTHERS) +3500
8 GREG BIFFLE +4000
9 JAMIE MCMURRAY +2000
10 JEFF BURTON +4000
11 JEFF GORDON +700
12 JEREMY MAYFIELD +5000
13 JIMMIE JOHNSON +700
14 KEVIN HARVICK +1000
15 KURT BUSCH +800
16 MARK MARTIN +3000
17 MATT KENSETH +600
18 MICHAEL WALTRIP +6000
19 RICKY CRAVEN +15000
20 RICKY RUDD +7500
21 ROBBY GORDON +10000
22 RUSTY WALLACE +2500
23 RYAN NEWMAN +700
24 SCOTT RIGGS +50000
25 SCOTT WIMMER +15000
26 STERLING MARLIN +2500
27 TERRY LABONTE +6000
28 TONY STEWART +600
29 WARD BURTON +12500
Time # GLDN CORAL 500-TOP 3 Odds
14-Mar---01:00p 1001 BOBBY LABONTE +300
14-Mar---01:00p 1002 BRENDAN GAUGHAN +2000
14-Mar---01:00p 1003 BRIAN VICKERS +800
14-Mar---01:00p 1004 CASEY MEARS +1400
14-Mar---01:00p 1005 DALE EARNHARDT JR +260
14-Mar---01:00p 1006 DALE JARRETT +500
14-Mar---01:00p 1007 ELLIOTT SADLER +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1008 FIELD ( ANY OTHERS) +900
14-Mar---01:00p 1009 GREG BIFFLE +1000
14-Mar---01:00p 1010 JAMIE MCMURRAY +500
14-Mar---01:00p 1011 JEFF BURTON +800
14-Mar---01:00p 1012 JEFF GORDON +240
14-Mar---01:00p 1013 JEFF GREEN +2500
14-Mar---01:00p 1014 JEREMY MAYFIELD +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1015 JIMMIE JOHNSON +260
14-Mar---01:00p 1016 JOE NEMECHEK +2000
14-Mar---01:00p 1017 JOHNNY SAUTER +2200
14-Mar---01:00p 1018 KASEY KAHNE +450
14-Mar---01:00p 1019 KEN SCHRADER +5000
14-Mar---01:00p 1020 KEVIN HARVICK +450
14-Mar---01:00p 1021 KURT BUSCH +320
14-Mar---01:00p 1022 KYLE PETTY +4000
14-Mar---01:00p 1023 MARK MARTIN +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1024 MATT KENSETH +300
14-Mar---01:00p 1025 MICHAEL WALTRIP +1000
14-Mar---01:00p 1026 RICKY CRAVEN +2000
14-Mar---01:00p 1027 RICKY RUDD +2000
14-Mar---01:00p 1028 ROBBY GORDON +1600
14-Mar---01:00p 1029 RUSTY WALLACE +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1030 RYAN NEWMAN +260
14-Mar---01:00p 1031 SCOTT RIGGS +1600
14-Mar---01:00p 1032 SCOTT WIMMER +1600
14-Mar---01:00p 1033 STERLING MARLIN +700
14-Mar---01:00p 1034 TERRY LABONTE +1400
14-Mar---01:00p 1035 TONY STEWART +240
14-Mar---01:00p 1036 WARD BURTON +2000
FT.com / Comment & analysis / People in the news
Icy Bonds feels heat of suspicion
By Michael Steinberger
Published: March 9 2004 4:00 | Last Updated: March 9 2004 4:00
Barry Bonds is one of the greatest baseball players ever, but also one of the least loved. The 39-year-old home-run king commands the respect of fans and fellow players, but no affection. This is the way he wants it - always has. Surly and aloof, Bonds seldom misses an opportunity to let the world know that his only real concern is the guy looking back at him in the mirror.
Which is fine, except you never know when you might need a reservoir of goodwill to draw on, and Bonds could certainly use a little at present. He has long been dogged by allegations of steroid use, but the allegations are becoming harder to ignore and dismiss.
In December, the San Francisco Giants slugger was one of 32 sports stars forced to testify before a grand jury investigating a nutritional supplements company, Bay Area Lab Co-operative, or Balco - a company Bonds has endorsed - for allegedly providing performance-enhancing drugs to a bevy of professional athletes.
In February, the same grand jury indicted four people for running a steroid distribution ring, among them Bonds's longtime personal trainer Greg Anderson.
Last week came more bad news: the San Francisco Chronicle reported that federal investigators were in possession of information that Bonds, together with two other Major League Baseball stars, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield of the New York Yankees, had been given steroids and human growth hormones by Anderson. All three have strongly denied these claims. Bonds was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony regarding Balco before the grand jury in December. If he denied under oath using steroids and it can be proven that he did use them, he can kiss the immunity goodbye.
The flame, you might say, is getting a bit close for comfort.
Bonds, now in his 19th season as a professional, is baseball royalty. His father Bobby Bonds, who died last August, was a Major League standout, and his godfather Willie Mays is considered by many to be the best player in the history of the sport. If ever a man was to the dugout bred, it is Bonds.
Given his distinguished pedigree, there were towering expectations for Bonds when he made his debut in 1986, and fans were naturally eager to embrace him. He has more than surpassed those expectations, but he met that ready embrace with an ice-cold shoulder.
Bonds evidently does not believe his responsibilities include endearing himself to the people who pay to watch him play; the stadium could be empty for all he seems to care. His team-mates generally fare no better than the fans: Bonds has a habit of skipping the Giants' annual team photograph, and he routinely stretches alone and trains alone. "Jerk" is a word that often appears in close proximity to his name.
He is not a misunderstood figure; in fact, he makes himself abundantly clear - what Barry Bonds cares about is Barry Bonds. If he could win a World Series alone, that is precisely how he would want to win it.
The egoism and chilly demeanour make it easy to believe the worst about Bonds, and he has been under a cloud of suspicion for several years. In 2001, he broke the Major League single-season record for home runs, hitting a jaw-dropping 73 dingers. This came just three years after Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs to obliterate the previous mark of 61, set by Roger Maris in 1961. McGwire's subsequent admission that he had been using androstenedione, a natural steroid banned by all major US sports except baseball, was a bittersweet coda to the "summer of swing" and stoked concerns that drug use in baseball was epidemic.
When McGwire's record was eclipsed before the ink in the history books had even dried, and by the abrasive Bonds, a 37-year-old who had never before hit more than 50 home runs in a season, a lot of knowing glances were exchanged around office coolers. In the minds of many baseball diehards, there is already an asterisk attached to Bonds's feat; they have just been awaiting confirmation that the asterisk belongs there, and confirmation might just be on the way now.
It is, of course, unfair to judge a man guilty before he has had his day in court, but that is what tends to happen when you have alienated as many people as Bonds has.
With 658 home runs, Bonds is now within spitting distance of another milestone, Hank Aaron's record career mark of 755. But should Anderson start singing to federal prosecutors, or an incriminating syringe be found, Bonds stands to lose not just his place in baseball's pantheon of legends; he also stands to lose the one positive sentiment he has cultivated - respect.
Icy Bonds feels heat of suspicion
By Michael Steinberger
Published: March 9 2004 4:00 | Last Updated: March 9 2004 4:00
Barry Bonds is one of the greatest baseball players ever, but also one of the least loved. The 39-year-old home-run king commands the respect of fans and fellow players, but no affection. This is the way he wants it - always has. Surly and aloof, Bonds seldom misses an opportunity to let the world know that his only real concern is the guy looking back at him in the mirror.
Which is fine, except you never know when you might need a reservoir of goodwill to draw on, and Bonds could certainly use a little at present. He has long been dogged by allegations of steroid use, but the allegations are becoming harder to ignore and dismiss.
In December, the San Francisco Giants slugger was one of 32 sports stars forced to testify before a grand jury investigating a nutritional supplements company, Bay Area Lab Co-operative, or Balco - a company Bonds has endorsed - for allegedly providing performance-enhancing drugs to a bevy of professional athletes.
In February, the same grand jury indicted four people for running a steroid distribution ring, among them Bonds's longtime personal trainer Greg Anderson.
Last week came more bad news: the San Francisco Chronicle reported that federal investigators were in possession of information that Bonds, together with two other Major League Baseball stars, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield of the New York Yankees, had been given steroids and human growth hormones by Anderson. All three have strongly denied these claims. Bonds was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony regarding Balco before the grand jury in December. If he denied under oath using steroids and it can be proven that he did use them, he can kiss the immunity goodbye.
The flame, you might say, is getting a bit close for comfort.
Bonds, now in his 19th season as a professional, is baseball royalty. His father Bobby Bonds, who died last August, was a Major League standout, and his godfather Willie Mays is considered by many to be the best player in the history of the sport. If ever a man was to the dugout bred, it is Bonds.
Given his distinguished pedigree, there were towering expectations for Bonds when he made his debut in 1986, and fans were naturally eager to embrace him. He has more than surpassed those expectations, but he met that ready embrace with an ice-cold shoulder.
Bonds evidently does not believe his responsibilities include endearing himself to the people who pay to watch him play; the stadium could be empty for all he seems to care. His team-mates generally fare no better than the fans: Bonds has a habit of skipping the Giants' annual team photograph, and he routinely stretches alone and trains alone. "Jerk" is a word that often appears in close proximity to his name.
He is not a misunderstood figure; in fact, he makes himself abundantly clear - what Barry Bonds cares about is Barry Bonds. If he could win a World Series alone, that is precisely how he would want to win it.
The egoism and chilly demeanour make it easy to believe the worst about Bonds, and he has been under a cloud of suspicion for several years. In 2001, he broke the Major League single-season record for home runs, hitting a jaw-dropping 73 dingers. This came just three years after Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs to obliterate the previous mark of 61, set by Roger Maris in 1961. McGwire's subsequent admission that he had been using androstenedione, a natural steroid banned by all major US sports except baseball, was a bittersweet coda to the "summer of swing" and stoked concerns that drug use in baseball was epidemic.
When McGwire's record was eclipsed before the ink in the history books had even dried, and by the abrasive Bonds, a 37-year-old who had never before hit more than 50 home runs in a season, a lot of knowing glances were exchanged around office coolers. In the minds of many baseball diehards, there is already an asterisk attached to Bonds's feat; they have just been awaiting confirmation that the asterisk belongs there, and confirmation might just be on the way now.
It is, of course, unfair to judge a man guilty before he has had his day in court, but that is what tends to happen when you have alienated as many people as Bonds has.
With 658 home runs, Bonds is now within spitting distance of another milestone, Hank Aaron's record career mark of 755. But should Anderson start singing to federal prosecutors, or an incriminating syringe be found, Bonds stands to lose not just his place in baseball's pantheon of legends; he also stands to lose the one positive sentiment he has cultivated - respect.
