Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | T | The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

'Cats connection could have eye on Triple Crown.

Article Excerpt
Byline: PAC-10 NOTEBOOK By Bob Clark The Register-Guard

If the usual question is whether Arizona has the horses, let it be stated clearly that it does. A couple of them, anyway.

And truly the four-legged variety at that.

There is a 2-year-old colt named Da Stoops being trained by Arizona alum Bob Baffert, who has the pedigree himself of knowing a good horse or two from Triple Crown races. Named for UA coach Mike Stoops and his brother, defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, Da Stoops has a win and two seconds in three races this summer.

`Maybe they will split the winnings with us,' Mike Stoops said.

Da Stoops is the offspring of Distorted Humor, the sire of Funny Cide, a Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner in 2003.

As usual, of course, basketball trumps football in Tucson, even with horses. Baffert is also training another horse owned by the same UA boosters who own Da Stoops, and Midnight Lute won his only start so far as a 2-year-old.

That Midnight Lute nickname for Arizona coach Lute Olson was originally meant in a derogatory manner, coming from then UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian after he lost a recruit at the last minute to Olson and the Wildcats. Olson has obviously given his approval for the name, or loyal boosters wouldn't use it. Plus, Midnight Lute may be an often-heard name in racing circles in future months. The sire of Midnight Lute is Real Quiet, a horse...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!