North County Times from Oceanside, California • 20

C-2 Blade-Citizen Wednesday, August 5, 1992 Del Mar wagering unpredictable Briefin "We have a nice set of Lukas said. We just didnt crank them up at Hollywood Park. If they got an allowance field at Hollywood Park it was a big day. Indeed. The Inglewood track had trouble with the LA riots and went to a six-day race week in order to make up for lost matinees.

If there were six horses in every race it was a big day Of course, nearly half the races were for maiden daimers. But Del Mar is different with its turf course that horsemen adore and seemingly safe main track. "We'll have a good meet Lukas said. The bottom line is for us to be front nationally 'If we re having this conversation on Sept 16 after the Futunty, I'll feel THE GREEK'S RETURN Itsallagreektome, the 1990 Edipse Award winning turf horse who ran In last year's Pacific Classic on the dirt is recovenng from a hairline fracture. The gelding had two screws removed from Its leg Monday at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe.

1 think the time off has done him a world of good. said trainer Wally Dollase, who thinks The Greek" will return in the fall, possibly at Hollywood Park. "We didn't run him every two weeks, but he ran consistently for two years STAKES PARADE If you like watching good thoroughbreds run, Del Mar is the place to be on Saturday. There will be a stakes doubleheader on the track and another similcast race from New Jersey. The San Diego Handicap, a prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic, will head Saturday's card.

Also set to run is the San Clemente Handicap for 3-year-old fillies. Also broadcast before Del Mar's first race will be the Iselm Handicap from Monmouth Park.Six San Diego nominees are eligible for the Pacific Classic. Among the runners are Another Review, Digression, Marquetry, Ibero, Missionary Ridge and Reign Road. On Sunday, the La Jolla Handicap will be run for 3-year-olds on the turf. The La Jolla is the final prep for the $300,000 Del Mar Derby Blacksburg, the winner of the second drvison of the opening day Oceanside Stakes, should head the La Jolla field BREAKFAST AT DEL MAR Fans can receive an introduction to thoroughbred racing through the Donuts Day at Del Mar Saturday from 8-10 a Track announcer Trevor Denman will host the program which will feature 1991 leading trainer Hess Jr and jockey Eddie Delahoussaye Free donuts, juice, milk and coffee will be available.

Fans, who will receive a free pack of jockey cards for attending, should enter the grounds through the Solana Gate from Via de la Valle The event will be held at the Seaside Terrace, just west of the new grandstand DEL MAR When it comes to handicapping the 43-day meeting at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, there's one piece of advice professionals have good luck. At Del Mar its just as easy picking by numbers or by colors, said Mike Superstein, Blade-Citizen handicapper. To be a serious handicap-per is really difficult. The first week proves Superstein out. The opening four days, 47 percent of the favorites won and the last two days the long shots ruled the roost Look for more of the same.

Thats Del Mar. I was waiting for it, said Superstein of the parade of big prices. Inside speed is death. Horses inside almost dont have a chance. There is an extreme bias inside.

Last week on the main track, only six horses won from the No. 1 or No. 2 post out of 42 races (14 percent). It used to be the complete opposite, Superstein said. Now, you have to avoid picking horses on the inside.

Sometimes you cant avoid them, but for the most part Im picking against them. And at least two trainers scratched out of the inside post to avoid the problems. A third trainer, Bob Baffert, gave his entry in the Bing Crosby Handicap, Letthebighossroll, no chance to win, but the horse needed the race so badly that he started him and finished fourth. With all the political stuff that goes on, it astounds me that there are no standards to do with a track surface, Superstein said. A track is allowed to do whatever it wants to do.

There should be some standards. But dont look for that anytime in the future. On the track only one horse won while being seventh or further back at the first call in sprints during the first week. Five horses went wire-to-wire in 29 sprints, but no horse did that in a dirt distance race. The turf has been a different story.

That has been the fairest racing so far, Superstein said. Horses in the first two posts have won 33 percent (four of 12) of the time. Closers have won a like number, but even more impressive may have been the wire-to-wire wins by Blacksburg and Vijaya on a turf course that usually is death to such animals early in the meet. Tab right back. But what about the serious handicapper? It's tough to make money at Del Mar, said Superstein.

You have to completely readjust your thinking. And have a little bit of good luck. BIG TIME COMIN'7 Trainer Wayne Lukas may be leading the nation in money won for the umpteenth year in a row. but he would just as soon forget about the recently completed Hollywood Park meeting. Lukas didn't win a single stakes race in Inglewood.

That's why he was so happy to be in the winner's circle opening day at Del Mar with Blacksburg, who took the second division of Oceanside Stakes at 8-1 odds. DP San Francisco 2 (Benjamin, RThompson and WCtarit). Inherited runners-scored-Rtghett 10 MMaddux 1-0 TO Colbert Umpires Home Poncmc First Reiiford Second Runge Third Gorman 2 28 A 20 623 HOW THEY SCORED Padres First Fernandez grounded out to second baseman Thompson Gwynn lined out to left fielder James Sheffield home-red to left on 0-0 count McGnff lied out to left holder James 1 run, 1 hit 0 errors, 0 left on. Padres 1, Giants 0. Giants Second Bass grounded out to third baseman Sheffield Snyder doubled to center Colbert doubled past third Snyder scored Benjamin lined out to center fielder Jacxson Burkett struck out 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on.

Giants 1, Padres 1. Giants Third McGee grounded out to third baseman Sheffield Thompson walked Clark singled to right center Thompson to second James hoed out to right fielder Gwynn Bass singled to right Thompson scored Clark to second Snyder (lied out to center fielder Jackson 1 run, 2 hits. 0 errors 2 left on Giants 2, Padrssl. Giants Fourth Colbert walked Benjamin singled to right. Colbert to third Burkett sacrificed catcher Santiago to second base-man SUtwel Benjamin to second McGee grounded out to third baseman Sheffield Thompson singled to pitcher Colbert scored Benjamin to third Clark doubled to center Benjamin and Thompson scored Maddux relieved Lefferts James struck out 3 runs, 3 hits 0 errors, 1 left on Giants 5, Padres 1.

Giants Seventh' Thompson homered to left on 0-1 count Clark singled to center James singled to left Clark to second Bass singled to right Clark scored James to second Snyder struck out Colbert flied out to left fielder Clark Benjamin struck oca 2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors. 2 left on Giants 7, Padres 1. troops some rest, Riddoch cancelled batting practice for the second time in three days. And for the second time in three days, it didnt work. While Burkett (8-6) recovered well after Sheffields blast to allow one run on eight hits in his 7 23 innings, Lefferts (12-7) wasn't sharp at all.

Lefferts gave up consecutive doubles to Cory Snyder and Craig Colbert to give up his first run in the second inning, and he didnt do much better after that. A two-run double by Will Clark in the fourth gave the Giants a 5-1 advantage, and that was enough for Padres Trouble for Rockies with ownership DENVER The Colorado Rockies' owners attempted to allay fears Tuesday that the withdrawal of former Phar-Mor Inc. president Mickey Monus as a team owner would affect the stability of the National League expansion team. But even as the team said it was a sound organization, sponsors of local baseball stadium legislation appealed to Gov. Roy Romer to intervene, force the ownership group out and take over the franchise.

The Ohio businessman and his father, Nathan, sent shock waves through the franchise Monday when they surrendered their shares in the Rockies five-man general partnership. Their withdrawal followed Phar-Mors request for an FBI investigation of Monus and another executive, whom the company accused of a fraud that cost it $350 million. John Antonucci, the Rockies' chairman and chief executive officer, and team general counsel Paul Jacobs were in New York on Tuesday to brief NL president Bill White and commissioner Fay Vincent, who called it a sudden, unattractive, development." Its certainly not a happy development, Vincent said after the meeting. I regret it. Im sorry for all the people involved, especially the Phar-Mor and related people.

But hes no longer involved in baseball. BASKETBALL PORTLAND, Ore. The signed restricted free agent Mario Elie of Golden State to an offer sheet, giving the Warriors 15 days to decide whether to match the offer. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 7.8 points on 52 percent shooting in 79 games last season, playing 21 .2 minutes per game. The New York City native played high school basketball with Golden State's Chris Mullin and was an NCAA Division II All-American as a senior for American International College in 1985.

He finished as the schools all-time leading scorer with 2,124 points. MILWAUKEE The Bucks traded veteran point guard Lester Connor to Orlando in exchange for guard Sam Vincent and the Magics 1994 second-round draft pick. Vincent, a first-round draft pick in 1985 by the Boston Celtics, also played for the Seattle SuperSonics and Chicago Bulls. The former Michigan guard has played in 396 regular-season NBA games, averaging 7.8 points and 3.9 assists. Conner, a defensive specialist, has career averages of 6.6 points and 4 assists per game.

LOS ANGELES Terry Tea-gle, a member of the Los Angeles Lakers for the past two seasons, has signed a one-year contract with Benetton Treviso of the Italian League for approximately $1 million. Teagle, 32, is a 10-year NBA veteran, having also played with Houston, Detroit and Golden State. The Lakers acquired the 6-foot-5 swing man from the Warriors on Sept. 25, 1990 in exchange for a first-round draft choice. HAMPTON, Va.

Three Hampton University basketball players were acquitted of rape by a jury that deliberated for 3 i hours. Derrick Powell, 21, of Chesapeake, Weldon Parham 22, of Washington; and Marvin Childs, 21, of Portsmouth, Va. were charged with abduction and rape. Childs also was charged with attempted sodomy. The defendants testified Monday that the 18-year-old alleged victim consented to sex.

FOOTBALL MINNEAPOLIS Several smaller cities would lose their NFL teams if full free agency were implemented in professional football, commissioner Paul Tagliabue testified. Buffalo, New Orleans and Cincinnati would have trouble surviving in a league with less restrictive free agency, Tagliabue said in his third day as a witness in antitrust action brought against the league by eight players. The commissioner also said Green Bay and San Diego would have problems to a lesser degree" if players were allowed to change teams after their contracts expired. FRESNO The California Bowl football game probably will be abandoned because the NCAA refused to recertify the game for the coming season. Cal Bowl executive director Susan Tatham said NCAA officials told her Monday that the game didnt have enough financial support to keep it afloat.

Local officials raised $1.25 million but fell about $500,000 short even with a 90-day extension granted by the NCAA. SUWANEE, Ga. The Atlanta Falcons would like to know this MARIO ELIE Signs offer sheet with Blazers week whether Deion Sanders, their All-Pro cornerback who also plays outfield for the Atlanta Braves, plans to show up for the 1992 NFL season. TENNIS LOS ANGELES Canadian Chris Pridham became the latest pothole on Bjorn Borg's comeback trail, beating the legendary Swede 6-4, 6-2 in a controversial first-round match at the $260,000 Volvo Tennis-Los Angeles tournament. In other first-round singles matches, top-seeded Aaron Krick-stein rallied to defeat qualifier Pat Crow 4-6.

6-1, 6-2; second-seeded Richard Krajicek of Holland beat Simon Youl of Australia 6-4, 7-5, and fourth-seeded Alexander Volkov of Russia eliminated Jason Stoltenberg of Austria 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. BOXING LAS VEGAS San Diego's Terry Norris has been established as a 5-1 favorite over Simon Brown in next month's World Boxing Council super welterweight title fight here. EAST ORANGE, N.J. The International Boxing Federation ordered its middleweight champion, Gianfranco Rosi, to give Gilbert Dele Jr. a rematch of their title fight within 90 days.

Rosi, of Italy, won a controversial split decision over the Frenchman on July 11 at Monaco. SOCCER NEW YORK The U.S. soccer team will train for the 1994 World Cup at Mission Viejo. The USSF said it still hasnt decided where it wants to play its first-round games during the tournament, which will be held in nine U.S. cities June 17-July 17, 1994.

The United States, which will be one of the six seeded teams because it is the host nation, doesn't have to make a decision on game sites until late 1993. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina Soccer star Diego Maradona said he has accepted an invitation from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to watch the closing match of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. HORSE RACING ALBANY, Gov. Mario Cuomo signed a bill that'll allow the Breeders' Cup to be held in New York if Florida fails to straighten out its betting laws. The Breeders Cup is scheduled to run at Florida's Gulfstream Park on Oct.

31. AUTO RACING INDIANAPOLIS Rick Mears will pass up this week's IndyCar race at Cleveland and will have another examination of his right wrist, injured in a crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway three months ago. THIS THAT NEW YORK Actor Charlie Sheen paid $93,500 for a baseball that skipped through the legs of Boston first baseman Bill Buckner in the 1986 World Series, allowing the New York Mets to win the pivotal sixth game. A signed jersey of new Hall of Famer Tom Seaver sold for $55,000. He wore the shirt in 1969, when he led the Mets to their improbable world championship.

Meanwhile, Ty Cobbs grass-stained, 1924 Detroit Tigers road uniform, authenticated on his personal stationery, had a presale estimate of $115,000 to $135,000. And Roger Maris Yankee home uniform from 1961, the year he broke Babe Ruth's home run record, had a presale estimate of $55,000 to $65,000. LOGAN, Utah Rod Tueller, athletic director since 1985 and former basketball coach at Utah State University, submitted his resignation to President George Emert, saying he wanted to pursue other interests. Hall of Famer Stan Musial on the hometown nickname he gladly shed when fans began calling him Stan the Man. They used to call me the Donora Greyhound for awhile.

manager Greg Riddoch. The last two games, hes been like that, Riddoch said. He was up with his screwball. Everything was up. Lefferts exited the game after giving up five earned runs on eight hits in just 3 23 innings, his worst and shortest outing since his nightmarish 13-inning, four-run performance in the Padres home opener against the Dodgers.

Tuesdays effort pushed Lefferts ERA from 3.39 to 3.64. Mike Maddux pitched 1 13 scoreless innings in relief of Lefferts before giving way to Jose Melendez, who allowed two earned runs, including a solo homer by Robby Thompson. PADRES NOTES No that he knows where he going, Padres starter Greg Harris can continue his comeback in earnest Hams, who has been out with a broken right middle finger since June 22. will be sent out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment at Class A High Desert of the California League He'll make his first start on Fnday in Stockton While he's a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. Har-rts is anxious fo get through the next step of his recovery 'It's been a speedy recovery, by it hasn't seemed that way to me." Hams said 'I never thought I'd be out for the season or anything.

but I thought I might miss out on the pennant race lm ready to get going Depending on how things go for him, Harris might just make one or two starts before he's ready to be activated again He's definitely ready to go said manager Greg Riddoch. Dave Eiland, another starter, pitched just three innings in the second start of his rehab assignment due to blisters on fingers on his throwing hand Eiland experienced the same problem when he was on a rehab assignment for his back injury earlier in the season According to Padres farm director Ed Lynch, the organization has released nght-handed pitcher Mike York. The 27-year-old York was 5-7 with a 4 79 ERA for the Padres' Class AAA Las Vegas farm team York was among the candidates for the No 5 starter opening on the Padres' major league roster dunng spring training, but he lost out to Eiland Catcher Dan Walters says he ready for action, having missed nine full days already with a strained hamstring 'I'm ready to hit and catch," said Walters 'I couldn't necessanly run full-speed, but I could do it without a limp now' The three-game senes with the Giants concludes today with a 7.05 game matching Bruce Hurst (11-6) against Francisco Oliveras (0-0) The Houston Astros come into town Thursday for the first game of a four-game set a is a let in Charg-ers-Cardmals is at at as Padres From Page C-1 season, his first as a starter. The endurance factor was a concern before Lefferts before the sea- son began, and its becoming a concern again. I don't know if thats it manager Greg Riddoch said.

He pitched good two times ago. He may go out there the next time and pitch outstanding. Said Lefferts: I feel pretty good. My legs still feel strong underneath me. Ive just been getting out of my mechanics the last two games, and, to be honest, my control hasnt been the same it was.

Sheffield's second-deck homer that wasnt accounted for the only damage inflicted on Giants starter John Burkett went 7 23 strong innings. Sheffield had already deposited a homer into the second deck at Jack Murphy Stadium, one of only nine players ever to do so. Although this one didnt reach the second deck, it was Sheffields 20th homer of the season and registered 468 feet on the IBM Tale of the Tape. While it appeared to land in the middle of Loge Section 6 and then bounced out on the field, those who had a better vantage point of the homer said it didnt even reach the stands. As old as I am, I saw the ball hit a wire, Giants manager Roger Craig said.

No way it was in the second deck, but he still hit the (bleep) out of it. He doesnt get cheated. He lets it all hang out. Said Giants left fielder Chris James, one of the nine players to hit a ball into the second deck at Jack Murphy: It hit a wire above the field. I know he hit it good, but it wasnt any second deck job.

I gave it a courtesy look, then it hit Dunbar From Page C-1 special teams. He had as complete a scrimmage as anybody we had out here. Bieniemy carried the ball seven times for 42 yards and caught a pair of passes. While Bieniemy has caught Ross eye, the new coaching staff has been equally impressive to the player. Last season (under Dan Henning), I really wasnt given anything, Bieniemy said.

I really wasnt told what (weight) to report at. They didn't tell me what my role was going to be. I was like a freshman going to college again. I was wet behind the ears and didnt know anything. This year, I was given a game plan.

They said, Were going to try you at this, this and this. The new coaching staff took a look at the whole offense and they took more time in the off season teaching me. The off-season conditioning and guidance have resulted in Bieniemy reporting to training camp 10 pounds lighter this season. He still looks like a bowling ball in shoulder pads. And he runs like one, too.

Bieniemy is a physical specimen. Its amazing the somebody can be so small and so big at the same time. The Chargers list him at 5-foot-7, but hes closer to 5-5. He weighs every one of 200 pounds but theres not an ounce of fat on him. He runs the 40 in 4.45, can bench press 330 and has a 34-inch vertical jump.

Theres no doubt Bieniemy has the credentials to be a big-time NFL running back. He just needs a chance. Whether that'll translate into a-ffied out for Maddux in the 5th Wmed out for Melendez in the 7th RThompson (9) LOB San Francisco 7 San D'ego 6 2B-WClark (28) Snyder (17) Colbert (5) Sheffeid(25) HR Sheffield (20) off Burkett RThompson (9) off Melendez RBis RThompson 2 (32) WCia rt 2 (52) Bass 2 (30) Colbert (10) Sheffield (67) SB DrJackson (0) Burkett GlDP Snyder Sheffield DrJackson Runners left in scoring position San Francisco 4 (James Snyder, Benjamin Burkett) San Diego 4 (TFemandez McGnff DrJacxson Lefferts) Runners moved up McGnff Stillwell Stephenson and dropped. Even Padres right fielder Tony Gwynn, who was in the dugout at the time, knew what happened. It hit a wire." Gwynn said.

That didnt go in the second deck. I know that. As for Sheffield, he didnt really know what happened. I didn't even see where it landed, he said. I know I hit it real good.

At 468 feet, the blast was the longest of the year in the NL and the second-longest in the majors this year behind a 483-footer by Detroit's Rob Deer. In a continuing effort to give his more carries with the Chargers this season remains to be seen. After all, Butts, Bemstine and Harmon are all still there and theres no indication thats going to change any time soon. They have all proved themselves, Bieniemy says of those ahead of him on the depth chart. I have yet to prove myself and thats why Im here.

I just want to prove that Eric Bieniemy can play his position. Ross said he doesnt know yet how many carries Bieniemy will get out of the backfield this season, but hell find a way to get him in the game and get him the ball. Well see how it shakes out. Were not in any hurry to say, Ross said. But Im glad weve got him.

Hes a heck of a player and a great team player. Hes asked to be on all of the special teams. Were looking at him as a kick-off and a punt return guy. Hes the kind of a guy you like to find a way to get into a football game. Bieniemy is confident hell get playing time this year.

He doesnt need 25 carries a game to make him happy. There are plenty of footballs to go around. A return to the kind of winning he did at Colorado would be nice. Whatever it takes to win, he said. If that means using four or five different footballs during the course of a game and we go 164), Im sure well find a way.

And about the national championship Bieniemy and the Buffs won in 1990, thats the only thing player and coach wont talk about. Colorado, which won the AP media poll, shared the title with Ross Georgia Tech squad that won the UPI coaches poll. You ask him, he knows who the national champion was, Bieniemy said. Ross didn't seem eager to debate the issue either. Ouch is the word at Chargers camp By Jay Paris Staff Writer SAN DIEGO The Chargers Saturday exhibition opener at Phoenix is coming at just the right time.

Otherwise, San Diegos squad might be further diluted from beating on each other during practices at UCSD. Weve got a lot of nicks right now, coach Bobby Ross said. Its to be expected. Weve worked pretty hard. The list of damaged Chargers continues to grow.

Safety Anthony Shelton leads the casualty sheet. Shelton is out of action until later this season. He might be gone for entire year. Shelton, a part-time starter last season and a special teams standout, had shoulder surgery on Monday. Damaged cartilage was repaired and the rehabilitation process will take at least until the regular season starts.

Heres the Chargers players bothered by various ailments: safety Nate Lewis (quadriceps), wide receiver Shawn Jefferson (hamstring), cornerback Gill Byrd (ankle), safety Delton Hall (bruised hip), Il-back Craig McEwen (arch), linebacker Greg Clark (back spasms), defensive tackle Arthur Paul (gout), Burt Grossman (broken toe) and linebacker Billy Ray Smith (calf). We've got quite a few people banged up, but we continue to work pretty good, Ross said. Im really pleased with the way weve been working. Weve been getting a lot done. Smith, in his 10th season, hasnt 1 participated in a camp drill.

Its better, but hes still not well, Ross said. But its been long time. He hasnt put in a play yet. Not one play. With Smith out, Ross impressed with Steve Hendrickson.

It appears hes made the transition. Ross said. The last two seasons, the 6-foot 250-pound Hendrickson played mostly H-back. He's become a more disciplined player, Ross said. Responsibility-wise, he is a little bit more controlled.

You want a guy a little bit out of control at linebacker, but at the same time there has to be sense of responsibility, too. While youngsters scrambled for player autographs after Tuesday's practice, they one former Charger quarterback slip by unnoticed Dan Fouts. Fouts, the ex-San Diego great and a future NFL Hall of Fame member, attended practice preparation for broadcasting Saturday's game Fouts. a Sisters, Ore. resident.

will work with Mike Smith on two games and Chartie Jones on another. Saturdays game will be televised at 7:30 m. on KGTVChannel 10 Fouts said the team looked OK. but admitted it was tough to tell after watching just one practice. During the regular season, Fouts paired with Verne Lundquist on CBS.

It's a split shift for the Chargers today At 9 30 a and 3 30 p.m they practice UCSD. Their 7 30 m. practice scheduled USD has been canceled These are the last two practices in pads the team prepares for Phoenix. I i I lit.