Notes on a Scorecard - Oct. 28, 1992

If the Kentucky Derby is the greatest two minutes in American thoroughbred racing, the Breeders’ Cup is the greatest 12 minutes 42 seconds. . . .

I have never been to Churchill Downs on Derby Day, but I was there on Breeders’ Cup Day last November and it was like watching seven championship fights, one after the other. . . .

The card Saturday at Gulfstream Park, just outside Miami, lacks star appeal, but could be the most competitive yet. . . .

The most intriguing animal is Arazi, so awesome in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and so disappointing since. Pat Valenzuela, who rode Sunday Silence to victory in the 1989 Kentucky Derby, still says Arazi is the best horse he has ever ridden. . . .

Best place to be, other than Gulfstream, will be Santa Anita Park, which will show the Cup program on numerous television screens and present seven live races, beginning at 9:15 a.m. . . .

It will be interesting to see if fans have warmed to the National Pick Seven. Estimates were that as much as $30 million would be wagered last year, but only $8,525,849 was. Payoffs for six winners ranged from $235,901 to $218,427, depending on local taxes. All 29 tickets were sold outside Kentucky. . . .

In the Sprint, Sheikh Albadou will be trying to become only the third repeat winner in Breeders’ Cup history. Bayakoa won the Distaff in 1989 and ‘90, and Miesque won the Mile in 1987 and ’88. . . .

The nation’s leading rider, Kent Desormeaux, who didn’t have one last year, has four mounts. None are favored and his best shot might be Grey Slewpy in the Sprint. . . .

California breds were 0 for 27 the first eight years and Sudden Hush, in the Juvenile, will be the only representative this time. . . .

Distaff contender Saratoga Dew, who has earned more than $500,000 this year, was sold to Charles Engle by pro football Hall of Famer Sam Huff for $37,500. . . .

How steep is the price of supplementing to the Classic? Verne Winchell, the owner of Sea Cadet, is trying to sell a piece of the colt to cover the $360,000 cost. . . .

Thumbs up to owner David Kruse and trainer Bruce Jackson for keeping Danny Sorenson aboard Superstrike in the Sprint instead of opting for a bigger name. . . .

Breeders’ Cup favorites have won at a 38% clip, which is above average for the sport. . . .

Longshot players are attracted to the Turf, where the average win payoff has been $34.85. . . .

Look for Eddie Delahoussaye to vindicate his choice of A.P. Indy over Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Pleasant Tap in the Classic. . . .

If NFL officiating is better this season, it’s because officials aren’t using instant replay as a crutch. . . .

The out-of-town scores posted at the Coliseum during the Raider-Dallas Cowboy game Sunday were so out of date they must have been sent by Pony Express. . . .

From the broadcasting booth, Hank Stram out-coaches most coaches. . . .

Look-alikes: Pittsburgh Steeler Coach Bill Cowher and pro wrestler Sgt. Slaughter. . . .

Nothing like a game-winning, 59-second, 75-yard touchdown drive on Monday night to show Buffalo Bill opponents that Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas are still potent weapons. . . .

Johnny Unitas, Dick Butkus, Bubba Smith and Al Michaels will roast “Coach” Craig T. Nelson on ABC Nov. 10. . . .

USC Coach Larry Smith should find some ways to get the ball into Curtis Conway’s hands more than 5.3 times a game on plays from scrimmage. . . .

I would love to see what Eric Dickerson could do in the fourth quarter. . . .

Kitty Kelly, daughter of former King coach and Hall of Famer Red Kelly, is skating in the Ice Capades at the Forum. . . .

If Riddick Bowe defeats Evander Holyfield on Nov. 13, look for him to make his first heavyweight title defense against George Foreman, rather than the Razor Ruddock-Lennox Lewis winner. . . .

Holyfield’s trainer, Lou Duva, picks Ruddock to beat Lewis in their scheduled 12-round fight Saturday night that will be televised by HBO from London. Bowe’s trainer, Eddie Futch, likes Lewis. . . .

Jerry Buss, whose Forum is the only major arena in the nation staging boxing shows regularly, will be among those inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame Nov. 7 at the Los Angeles Marriott Hotel. . . .

Watching the TV documentary, “Diamonds on the Silver Screen,” the other night, I was reminded how many baseball movies were shot at the old Wrigley and Gilmore fields in Los Angeles. . . .

Congratulations to the Colorado Rockies for selecting a winner, Don Baylor, as their first manager. . . .

What’s next for the San Diego Padres, Tony Gwynn to the Florida Marlins for three players to be named?