Notes on a Scorecard - June 28, 1995

Close, but no cigar? . . .

Not in racing, where the current wonder horse is Cigar, a 5-year-old bay who has won eight consecutive races by an average of nearly five lengths. . . .

“He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden,” said Jerry Bailey, flying from New York to ride Cigar in the $1-million Gold Cup race Sunday at Hollywood Park. . . .

That is a mouthful from someone who has won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont and Breeders’ Cup Classic and is ranked among the elite of his profession. . . .

“I’ve always believed that a quality speed horse [whose pace can be controlled] is the toughest kind of horse to beat,” Bailey said. “Cigar doesn’t need a lot of luck and a race doesn’t have to set up in a specific way for him.” . . .

Cigar scored his fourth consecutive victory on the saddest day of the year in racing. . . .

He was leading Holy Bull by less than half a length on the backstretch at Gulfstream Park during the Donn Handicap on Feb. 11 when the Bull, the 1994 horse of the year, suffered a leg injury. . . .

“It’s easy to say now that Cigar would have beaten Holy Bull under any circumstances,” Bailey said. “But I really felt we had a good chance. We had a 10-pound break in the weights and that might have made the difference down the stretch.” . . .

Instead, Holy Bull broke down in what would be his last race and Cigar won by 5 1/2 lengths over runner-up Primitive Hall. . . .

Since then, Cigar has beaten 1994 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Concern twice. . . .

Concern will seek revenge in the Gold Cup--even if he isn’t aware of it--and is given a good chance by most handicappers because of an impressive victory over the track in the recent Californian. . . .

However, Bailey believes another horse might be tougher competition. . . .

“I’m a little fearful of Tinners Way,” he said. “Bobby Frankel is a very sharp trainer and I don’t think he squeezed him his last race. He didn’t ask him for his best. You can be sure he will this time.” . . .

*

Los Angeles fans are showing that they are willing to forget about the baseball strike and happy to forget about the NFL. . . .

During a span of three nights, the Dodgers had paid attendance of 53,551 and 52,335 for games against San Francisco and San Diego. . . .

There were long lines at the ticket windows as late as the third inning on Monday, when the walk-up sale was 12,129, a Dodger Stadium record. . . .

The attractions have been Hideo Nomo, a beach towel giveaway and an exciting, winning brand of baseball. . . .

These were among the loudest crowds I’ve heard at Dodger Stadium during regular-season games. . . .

The defection of the Raiders and Rams might be part of the reason. . . .

Angelenos are eager to demonstrate their support for their favorite team, one that is not about to pack up and leave. . . .

Look for formidable turnouts again on “T-shirt Night” Thursday, when Nomo pitches against the Colorado Rockies, and on Saturday, when the traditional July fireworks show will follow the game. . . .

The best-dressed spectator Monday was Roland Worrell. . . .

The father of Dodger reliever Todd Worrell and Padre reliever Tim Worrell wore a warmup jacket that was half blue-and-white with Dodger lettering and half navy blue-and-orange with Padre lettering. . . .

Todd and Tim aren’t the only brothers on opposite sides this week. There are also San Diego’s Tony Gwynn and L.A.’s Chris Gwynn. . . .

Eight years ago, Ken Levine, a baseball fan and successful television writer, announced games into a tape recorder from a seat in the top deck at Dodger Stadium. . . .

Monday night, he called portions of the Dodger-Padre game from the press box on San Diego radio and television. . . .

“It was a dream come true,” Levine said. . . .

His Dodger Stadium tapes eventually got him work with Syracuse in the International League, and he is doing 45 Padre broadcasts this season after stints with the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles. . . .

But, yes, Levine is keeping his day job. An Emmy Award winner who wrote many episodes of the hit shows “M*A*S*H” and “Cheers,” he is executive producer and a writer for “Almost Perfect,” the sitcom starring Nancy Travis that will debut on CBS this fall. . . .

Al Davis shouldn’t credit the move to Oakland if the Raiders reach the Super Bowl this season. With all their talent and a new coaching staff, they would have accomplished the same thing in L.A.