He’s Looking at Race From the Wrong End

The great mare Azeri throws in a stinker after winning 11 consecutive races and her owner, Michael Paulson, castigates Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith and indirectly criticizes trainer Laura de Seroux on her choice of races.

Obviously the class exhibited by the late Allen Paulson was not passed on to his son, as in 1996 when Cigar’s remarkable streak came to an end at Del Mar, the late Mr. Paulson did not complain about Cigar’s jockey (Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey) misjudging the pace and getting Cigar “cooked.”

No, he credited Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, who trained Dare and Go, for the strategy of using his “other” entry in the Pacific Classic (Siphon) to push Cigar.

Thoroughbred racing is known as the “Sport of Kings” -- not the “Sport of Asses,” Mike.

Howard Cohen

North Hills