Genuine Risk

Nineteen years ago Genuine Risk, prodded by jockey Jacinto Vasquez, became only the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 65 years, or since Regret won in 1915. The chestnut daughter of Exclusive Native--the sire of 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed--grabbed the lead from 2-1 favorite Rockhill Native at the top of the stretch, then held off a whirlwind stretch run by Rumbo to win it. A 13-1 shot, Genuine Risk paid $28.60, $10.60 and $4.80.

Jack Klugman wasn't just known for his acting ability. He loved horses and horse racing. His death Monday in Woodland Hills at the age of 90 comes after he visited the race track several months ago, according to trainer Barry Abrams, who co-owns three horses with Klugman. They are offspring of Klugman's broodmare, Sci Fi Kin , who was sold in January. "He just loved being at the track," Abrams said. "He comes, makes bets and sits all day. That was his life -- horses and show business.

The people who made "Genuine Risk" (selected theaters) would probably like us to believe they're taking a few risks themselves. But they aren't. It's a movie that fairly seethes with aspirations toward life on the edge, dangerous liaisons, the darkness beneath the everyday. Probably young writer-director Kurt Voss wanted the kind of high-style-gritty mix Stephen Frears achieves in "The Grifters." But "Genuine Risk," is safer, slighter: A formula job that only rarely breaks its mold.

Less than two weeks after winning her debut, Wacky Patty will try to win the first 2-year-old stakes of 2003 on the Southern California calendar today at Hollywood Park. Owned and trained by Jim Chapman, the Formal Dinner filly will have eight opponents in the $75,000-added Nursery at five furlongs.

Genuine Risk's first live foal was back at his mother's side after undergoing minor intestinal surgery. The chestnut colt, a son of Rahy, was born Saturday to the 1980 Kentucky Derby winner, but a clog was discovered in his intestinal tract Sunday night. Genuine Risk, one of only three fillies to win the Derby, had never produced a live foal. She was bred in 1982 to Triple Crown winner Secretariat, but she produced a stillborn colt.

Two thumbs up to Wayne Lukas for running Serena's Song in the Kentucky Derby, and two big thumbs down to Bill Christine's column calling for Lukas to run her in the Kentucky Oaks instead. Running in the Oaks is common sense, easy money for a great filly, but skipping the Oaks and winning the Kentucky Derby is about doing the wrong thing at the right time. It's a genuine risk, but somebody's got to take it. DOUG M. LITTLETON San Marino I know nothing of horses, only a little of the ballet.

Less than two weeks after winning her debut, Wacky Patty will try to win the first 2-year-old stakes of 2003 on the Southern California calendar today at Hollywood Park. Owned and trained by Jim Chapman, the Formal Dinner filly will have eight opponents in the $75,000-added Nursery at five furlongs.

Jack Klugman wasn't just known for his acting ability. He loved horses and horse racing. His death Monday in Woodland Hills at the age of 90 comes after he visited the race track several months ago, according to trainer Barry Abrams, who co-owns three horses with Klugman. They are offspring of Klugman's broodmare, Sci Fi Kin , who was sold in January. "He just loved being at the track," Abrams said. "He comes, makes bets and sits all day. That was his life -- horses and show business.

While Laffit Pincay was debating whether to ride Houston or Bayakoa Saturday, Ron McAnally was trying to help. "I looked around for another race, something that wouldn't conflict with the Preakness, but I couldn't find anything," said McAnally, who trains Bayakoa. So Bayakoa will run Saturday in the Hawthorne Handicap at Hollywood Park with Pincay aboard. Houston will undergo a switch in jockeys, from Pincay to Angel Cordero, for the 114th Preakness at Pimlico. That is not exactly a vote a confidence for Houston, Pincay opting for a minor stake in California when he has the chance to ride a speed horse--the kind that occasionally steals off and wins the Preakness.

Trainer Bob Baffert indicated Wednesday night, at the post-position draw, that his filly, Excellent Meeting, will run in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. "She will run in the Derby," Baffert said, but left himself an out by adding: "I've been known to change my mind." A full field of 20 horses was drawn, with Excellent Meeting getting a favorable No. 6 post.

Nineteen years ago Genuine Risk, prodded by jockey Jacinto Vasquez, became only the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 65 years, or since Regret won in 1915. The chestnut daughter of Exclusive Native--the sire of 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed--grabbed the lead from 2-1 favorite Rockhill Native at the top of the stretch, then held off a whirlwind stretch run by Rumbo to win it. A 13-1 shot, Genuine Risk paid $28.60, $10.60 and $4.80.

Trainer Bob Baffert indicated Wednesday night, at the post-position draw, that his filly, Excellent Meeting, will run in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. "She will run in the Derby," Baffert said, but left himself an out by adding: "I've been known to change my mind." A full field of 20 horses was drawn, with Excellent Meeting getting a favorable No. 6 post.

Two thumbs up to Wayne Lukas for running Serena's Song in the Kentucky Derby, and two big thumbs down to Bill Christine's column calling for Lukas to run her in the Kentucky Oaks instead. Running in the Oaks is common sense, easy money for a great filly, but skipping the Oaks and winning the Kentucky Derby is about doing the wrong thing at the right time. It's a genuine risk, but somebody's got to take it. DOUG M. LITTLETON San Marino I know nothing of horses, only a little of the ballet.

Genuine Risk's first live foal was back at his mother's side after undergoing minor intestinal surgery. The chestnut colt, a son of Rahy, was born Saturday to the 1980 Kentucky Derby winner, but a clog was discovered in his intestinal tract Sunday night. Genuine Risk, one of only three fillies to win the Derby, had never produced a live foal. She was bred in 1982 to Triple Crown winner Secretariat, but she produced a stillborn colt.

The fascination about a filly trying to beat males has pumped much-needed life into the 56th Santa Anita Derby, which lost two marquee horses when Corby was sent to Kentucky and River Special was injured. Corby's owner, Allen Paulson, also owns Eliza, who Saturday will try to join Ciencia (1939), Silver Spoon (1959) and Winning Colors (1988) as the only fillies to win the Santa Anita Derby. Eliza will be the 15th filly to run in the race.

The people who made "Genuine Risk" (selected theaters) would probably like us to believe they're taking a few risks themselves. But they aren't. It's a movie that fairly seethes with aspirations toward life on the edge, dangerous liaisons, the darkness beneath the everyday. Probably young writer-director Kurt Voss wanted the kind of high-style-gritty mix Stephen Frears achieves in "The Grifters." But "Genuine Risk," is safer, slighter: A formula job that only rarely breaks its mold.

Course Ican, a cheap, sore-legged filly, and Andy's Copy, an unsound claiming horse, won't be in the Kentucky Derby Saturday, and that's just as well, because both had as much right running at Churchill Downs as Francis the Mule. But the fact that their owner, a fantasizing real estate man from Billings, Mont., even considered running them in the Derby is indicative of what trainers must tolerate when their owners get severe cases of Derby Madness.

About 10,000 races and 24 years after he started, Warren Williams retired from the Daily Racing Form recently, and for the 62-year-old Williams, there will be no more bad dreams about sleeping through the first race. Williams was what his newspaper calls a trackman, a race caller who stands in the press box with binoculars, quickly dictating to an assistant with a clipboard the positions of the horses as they move around the course.

While Laffit Pincay was debating whether to ride Houston or Bayakoa Saturday, Ron McAnally was trying to help. "I looked around for another race, something that wouldn't conflict with the Preakness, but I couldn't find anything," said McAnally, who trains Bayakoa. So Bayakoa will run Saturday in the Hawthorne Handicap at Hollywood Park with Pincay aboard. Houston will undergo a switch in jockeys, from Pincay to Angel Cordero, for the 114th Preakness at Pimlico. That is not exactly a vote a confidence for Houston, Pincay opting for a minor stake in California when he has the chance to ride a speed horse--the kind that occasionally steals off and wins the Preakness.

About 10,000 races and 24 years after he started, Warren Williams retired from the Daily Racing Form recently, and for the 62-year-old Williams, there will be no more bad dreams about sleeping through the first race. Williams was what his newspaper calls a trackman, a race caller who stands in the press box with binoculars, quickly dictating to an assistant with a clipboard the positions of the horses as they move around the course.