A ripple effect on the Belmont Stakes
The man blasting the bugle fanfare before each race at Belmont Park yesterday removed his velvet hat at the mere mention of the critically wounded colt called Barbaro.
"It's a very unfortunate part of horse racing," said the bugler, Samuel Grossman, 40, who, consciously or not, covered his heart with the black bowler.The previously undefeated Kentucky Derby winner snapped an ankle Saturday just a few thundering steps into the Preakness Stakes. The injury threatened the horse's life and wrecked all hope of him achieving one of racing's most elusive prizes - successive wins at the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes - a feat last won by Affirmed in 1978.
The accident also stripped Belmont of its biggest star, leaving some visitors to the Elmont racetrack to worry that turnout at the June 10 race will be low.
The red-coated bugler from Melville said the Belmont Stakes would still be worth seeing.
"I'm not of the opinion that it's only important if it's the World Series or it's only important if you win a Triple Crown," Grossman said.
"If we have a nice day, we could still have a big crowd," he said. But without a horse galloping for the crown, Grossman admitted, "It diminishes it."
Barbaro's stardom is what initially captured some casual fans' interest.
Ellen Groppe, 73, of Jamaica said she bets on race horses just once a year, when the Kentucky Derby rolls around. The news accounts of Barbaro's promise inspired her to lay money on him.
"I read about the trainer and he just had a lot of faith in that horse," she said.
Encouraged by $160 she won from the Kentucky Derby, Groppe said she had planned to bet on her horse in the Belmont Stakes. "Now, I don't know," Groppe said.
Among those gamblers who'd staked more money - perhaps too much - on the promising colt, the mood verged on despair.
"Everybody was saying the horse was gonna win by nine lengths," said a dejected Tony Marino, 49.
Marino said he'd bet $3,000 on Barbaro on Saturday - $2,000 to win, $1,000 to place. The Bay Ridge mail-room clerk said the total amounted to his whole savings.
Source: www.newsday.com
"It's a very unfortunate part of horse racing," said the bugler, Samuel Grossman, 40, who, consciously or not, covered his heart with the black bowler.The previously undefeated Kentucky Derby winner snapped an ankle Saturday just a few thundering steps into the Preakness Stakes. The injury threatened the horse's life and wrecked all hope of him achieving one of racing's most elusive prizes - successive wins at the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes - a feat last won by Affirmed in 1978.
The accident also stripped Belmont of its biggest star, leaving some visitors to the Elmont racetrack to worry that turnout at the June 10 race will be low.
The red-coated bugler from Melville said the Belmont Stakes would still be worth seeing.
"I'm not of the opinion that it's only important if it's the World Series or it's only important if you win a Triple Crown," Grossman said.
"If we have a nice day, we could still have a big crowd," he said. But without a horse galloping for the crown, Grossman admitted, "It diminishes it."
Barbaro's stardom is what initially captured some casual fans' interest.
Ellen Groppe, 73, of Jamaica said she bets on race horses just once a year, when the Kentucky Derby rolls around. The news accounts of Barbaro's promise inspired her to lay money on him.
"I read about the trainer and he just had a lot of faith in that horse," she said.
Encouraged by $160 she won from the Kentucky Derby, Groppe said she had planned to bet on her horse in the Belmont Stakes. "Now, I don't know," Groppe said.
Among those gamblers who'd staked more money - perhaps too much - on the promising colt, the mood verged on despair.
"Everybody was saying the horse was gonna win by nine lengths," said a dejected Tony Marino, 49.
Marino said he'd bet $3,000 on Barbaro on Saturday - $2,000 to win, $1,000 to place. The Bay Ridge mail-room clerk said the total amounted to his whole savings.
Source: www.newsday.com
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