Noted: November 2
– Frank Deford wants Afleet Alex named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year: “Afleet Alex is the true people’s choice –Â small, not well-bred, and dead game. Apart from all his victories, what he did in the Preakness was the single most amazing feat in athletics this year. Knocked down to his knees at the top of the stretch, he pulls himself up and roars to victory. Then comes back and runs away with the Belmont. This is the stuff of legend.” Right on.
– Churchill Downs is carding an entire day of races for two-year-olds. The special program is scheduled for this Saturday, November 5, and will include two graded stakes.
– Hollywood Park announced on Tuesday that turf racing was cancelled for the entire fall meet, owing to problems with the course. Horsemen are a little upset: “What am I supposed to do, go on vacation? … Not counting the 2-year-olds, about 80% of my stable is grass horses,” said trainer Bobby Frankel, who has divisions in California and New York and was planning to run Australian turf specialist Alinghi at the track.
