The Terre Haute Tribune from Terre Haute, Indiana • Page 39

THE TRIBUNE-STAR, TERRE HAUTE, IND. SUNDAY, NOV. 20, 1977 39 Secretariat may be one of biggest letdowns By JENNY KELLNER NEW YORK (UPI) They are scattered like carelessly strewn pearls among the landed gentry of four nations, 28 colts and fillies who serve as the harbingers of what may become one of the biggest letdowns in the thoroughbred breeding industry. They are the 2-year-old sons and daughters of Secretariat, the gleaming chestnut stallion who flashed through the racing world in 1972 and 1973 and became the first Triple Crown winner since Citation. So great were achievements that he was syndicated for a then- record $6.08 million before he raced as a 3-year-old.

before he even set foot on the Churchill Downs strip and set a record for the lVi-mile Kentucky Derby and went on to sweep the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes in unforgettable form. Businessmen, heiresses, breeders and other horsefolk invested $190,000 for each share in the breeding syndicate, for the privilege of mating their blueblooded mares to Secretariat, whose own bloodlines are as impeccable as his racing reputation. Only the finest were permitted in the breeding shed with the handsome chestnut, like the stakes-winning mares Chou Croute, Daughter and Cold Comfort, as well as the daughters of the great racehorses Northern Dancer and Buckpasser. Those who were not lucky enough to get a share paid $3.4 million last year in public auction for nine of his yearlings, including a record $1.5 million paid for the colt Canadian Bound, a half-brother to Dahlia. Those colts, as well as the homebreds, reached racing age this year.

And this was to be the year, the season Secretariat's first crop of foals went to the races and took the juvenile racing world by storm. Wrong. Only two of his get are winners a colt with the improbable and nearly unpronouncable name of Dactylo- grapher, who won the William Hill Stakes at Ascot in England Oct. 8, and a filly named Feuille who won at six furlongs at Woodbine in Toronto Sept. 12.

And the others? Less than a half-dozen of the colts and fillies have even made it to the races; the rest, because of assorted injuries and slow development, remained on the farms, waiting, as always, for next year. This summer at Saratoga, racing fans perused the enrty list every day, waiting for a Secretariat to appear. Only one did. That one colt, a half-brother to Majestic Light named Brilliant Protege, was unplaced. He started again at Belmont later in the fall, but still failed to break his maiden, finishing third.

Another, a filly named Sexetary. was the first of his offspring to start, going to post in May, when she finished fourth. She did not race again until October, finishing a distant third at the Meadowlands. Dan Lassiter's Secretariat filly Messina was ninth in her first start at Calder Nov. 9.

Canadian Bound, the dollar baby, finished second in his first start in France, then retired for the year What is or rather, going on here9 was a brilliant 2-year- old, but that mean his progeny will be as says John Russell. Brilliant British-born trainer. entirely possible he won't have a good horse in his first crop. do think, however, that the total investment in these horses is so great that trainers tend to be more cautious with them than they would with cheaper horses. If got a valuable piece of property, not going to train them on bad tracks.

With horses of lesser quality, you can afford to overlook minor So that bucked shins, sore fetlocks, splints and other ailments that would be hurriedly patched up on a cheap claimer are agonized and brooded over in a Secretariat foal. Yet breeders remain eternal optimists. It took 10 years for anyone to admit that Citation was a dud at stud and failure to produce a major stakes-winning colt doesn't seem to have anyone looking to sell their shares at a loss. Yet. Something that does concern the horsemen is Secretariat's failure to his offspring, to pass on his powerful build, clean white markings and glossy chestnut coat.

yes, Brilliant Protege looks exactly like quips Russell. swaybacked and Some of Secretariat's 2-year-olds are chestnuts, most are not. There are a tremendous black filly, a few bays and a couple of grays. The yearlings that went at the summer sales are similar to this crop, as are the weanlings who will sell next year. dominant sire, like a Vaguely Noble, will stamp his says Frenchman Maurice Zilber, who trains Canadian Bound.

ones I have have the same color, but I think they have the same acceleration. will see exactly what he is next year. I do think the Secretariats would be better off training in Europe, as they do not rush their horses as much there. Next year, I know if they will be on top, but I don't think they will be very far from the top." are good. But they have been a disappointment this Even the man who ran the syndication, Seth Hancock, admitted this year's crop was a disappointment.

There are twinges of hope Dactylographer's victory in the William Hill vaulted Secretariat into second place on the leading juvenile sires list in Europe; in the United States, however, he is nowhere near the top of the list. In fact, Sham. leading opponent in the 1973 Triple Crown, is way ahead of him in sixth place, having sired five winners including the stakes- winning Sherry Peppers. The leading juvenile sire is Roberto, a son of Hail To Reason who raced in Europe, was retired to stud after his 4- year-old season and has produced 10 winners in 29 foals as opposed to Secretariat's two in 28. But the breeders and owners and trainers all chorus: Blood will If Secretariat was a fleet horse of obscure breeding, no one would be terribly surprised if he failed as a stud.

But if nothing else, even if Secretariat were a medicore racehorse himself, his bloodlines are as valuable as one could want. Secretariat confirms the well-worn, but appropiate adage of the thoroughbred breeder: the best to the best, and hope for the Secretariat carries the blood of Bold Ruler and Princequillo. being a son of the leading modern sire and a quillo mare, Sorfiethingroyal. A much- hoped for blend of speed and stamina resulted from the cross But then, as Russell says: can never tell who's going to be good and who isn t. There is no guarantee.

Citation was worthless as a stud. Certainly I think you could begin to judge Secretariat this early. tell you this, though rather have one by Secretariat than two by The Minstrel. Mr. (Odgen Mills) Phipps has two mares in foal to Secretariat, along with two yearlings, and we're certainly not despondent about them.

They can bring all the Secretariats they want into my barn. I'd be more than happy to have them Rockville looks toward better season in '78 LEADING FIGURES Sandy Long (left) and Julie Scott have received pre-season honors and hope to be the leaders for Rockville High basketball team this season. The Rox open Nov. 26 against Southmont. Chuck's By KAREN RARIDEN Tribune Sports Writer The Rockville Rox chalked up a 12-3 record last season and everyone is back this year looking for an even better record.

The Rockville Rox is the Rockville High School basketball team. Last year, under the direction of Coach Wilma Wooten, the team completed regular-season play 12-2 but lost to Van Buren in Indiana High School Athletic Association sectional action. There were no seniors on the team last year so everyone is back including four starters who will be beginning their fourth year on the team. Karen Kenley. Chris Bonomo.

Julie Scott and Sandy Long are the four seniors Coach Larry Merica feels will help to make this season even better than last year. Two of the four. Scott and Long, gained statewide recognition recently when they were named to teams in The Indiana Girls High School ffasketball magazine. Scott was named to the second team for this area and Long was given honorable mention. Scott, a 17-year-old senior, was the leading scorer on last team with a 19.5 average.

The 5-foot-6 forward was named all-Wabash River Mitchell, Harris can reach plateaus in National Football League today By HAL BOCK AP Sports Writer It has been six years and plenty of yards since they were teammates at Penn State. And in the time since they went their separate ways, Lydell Mitchell and Franco Harris have proven to be two of the National Football best running backs. On Sunday, both of them can achieve important personnal milestones Mitchell with Baltimore and Harris with Pittsburgh as their teams continue to battle in tight American Conference division races. Baltimore, nursing a one- game lead over Miami in the East, entertains the New York Jets with Mitchell needing just 15 yards to become the all-time rushing leader. Pit- College schedule Bv The AltorUted Preu Here is the major college football schedule for the final two weeks of the season: Thursday.

Nov. Miami, 0 at Cincinnati. Alcorn State at Jackson State. Northeast Louisiana at Louisiana Tech, Arkansas at Texas Tech Friday, Nov. ii Nebraska at Oklahoma, L'CLA vs Southern California at Los Angeles McNeese Slate at Southwestern Louisiana (Bighti.

Saturday, Nov. East Army vs Navy at Philadelphia. Boston College Holy Cross. Penn State at Pitt South Alabama vs Auburn at Birmingham Georgia at Georgia Tech. Wyoming at Louisiana State inight).

Florida at Miami, Fla. (night), Grambling State at Southern Vanderbilt at Tennessee, VMI at Virginia Tech. Southwest Texas Christian at Baylor, Houston at Rice, Texas at Texas AAM, Southern Illinois at West Texas State Far West Arizona at Arizona State (night), Utah State at Colorado State. South Carolina at Hawaii (night). Boise State at Idaho (night), Bowling Green vs Long Beach State at Anaheim, Calif (night), Utah at New Mexico (night), San Diego State at San Jose State.

Brigham Young at Texas-El Paso Saturday, Dec 3 Florida State at Florida. Arizona at Hawaii (night). Notre Dame at Miami, Fla (night), Houston at Texas tsburghs tied for first place with Cleveland in the Central, plays Dallas at home with Harris 56 yards short of 11th place on the league's all-time ground-gaining list. In games that are as important to the Colts and Steelers as their own, Miami plays at Cincinnati and Cleveland visits the New York Giants. Elsewhere, Denver and Oakland, tied for first place in the AFC West, both play division opponents on the road.

The Broncos are at Kansas City and the Raiders visit San Diego. Minnesota defends its two- game National Conference Central lead without quarterback Fran Tarkenton at Chicago. St. Louis, which has won five straight, entertains Philadelphia, Atlanta is at New Orleans, Los Angeles at San Francisco, Tampa Bay is at Detroit, New England at Buffalo and Houston at Seattle. Green Bay is at Washington Monday night.

Mitchell will be shooting at the all-time Colts rushing record of 5,174 yards set by another Penn State alumnus, Hall of Famer Lenny Moore. And Moore, now a Colts front-office official, will be on hand to present the game ball to Mitchell when he makes it. elated that Lydell is the man to break my said Moore. "Not only is he a great runner and a gentleman, but a Penn Stater on top of it. I think of anyone want more to break my record than Mitchell can pass only one runner Sunday.

Harris, who was his blocking back at Penn State, can move past three. A 56-yard game would give the punishing Steeler 5,876 yards for his career and move him ahead of Bill Brown Steve Van Buren (5,860) and Larry Brown At Penn State. Mitchell finished as the all-time rushing leader with 2,934 yards. Harris, who finished with 2,002, is No. 5 on the all-time list.

Going into today's game, Tatum nominated for USGA position NEW YORK (AP) Frank D. Tatum Jr. has been nominated for the office of president of the U.S. Golf Association, the USGA said Saturday. Tatum will be voted on at the 84th annual meeting on Jan.

28, 1978 at San Francisco. If elected, Tatum will succeed Harry W. Easterly who served two one-year terms. The nominating committee has proposed three new officers, three new members of the executive committee and a new general counsel. Eugene S.

Pulliam has been re-nominated for a third one-year term as a vice president. Also nominated were Will F. Nicholson vice president, James R. hand, secretary, and William C. Campbell, treasurer.

Mitchell is the leading rusher in the AFC with 832 yards, one ahead of Oakland's Mark van Eeghen. Harris is fourth with 687 Mitchell is a double threat on offense. After setting a record in 1974 when he caught 74 passes the most ever for an NFL running back he caught 60 passes in each of the last two years and has 33 for 255 yards, sixth-best in the AFC this season. While their personal goals are obviously important to Mitchell and Harris, their teams remain locked in tight races as the NFL season reaches its 10th week. With five games remaining for all teams, no first-place team has more than a two- game lead in any division.

Besides the tight battles between Baltimore and Miami in the AFC East and Oakland and Denver in the AFC West, the four AFC Central teams are separated by a single game with Houston and Cincinnati tied one game off the pace being set by Pittsburgh and Cleveland. In the NFC, Minnesota and Dallas have two-game leads in the Central and East Divisions, respectively. The Vikings are in front of both Chicago and Detroit while Dallas leads St. Louis which handed the Cowboys their first loss of the season Monday night. In the West, Los Angeles remains one game ahead of second-place Atlanta.

Great Looking Stetson HATS Cloth and Felt and QVJilfii OPEN SUN. l-5 19 Sooth 7th Street AUTO PARTS (south branch em 232-2341 DAILY 2 Automotive implement Ports Accessories Complete Machine Shop Service ference and was also voted most valuable player on the team, an honor she has had since her sophomore year. The reason she began playing basketball was because, like sports a lot and I always liked Scott said her parents have been a big influence and have supported her efforts by attending all the games. She also stated that she has gotten a lot more from basketball than just playing the game. like what 1 have learned from it and the people met.

It has also taught me a lot about myself and my is probably the best all round basketball player in this Merica said. can dribble well, shoot well, pass well and is just a smart basketball He also feels if the team does as well as it should she may have a good chance at making the all-star team Long is also a I7-year-old senior who has been on the team for tour years. Long is a 5-5 guard who averaged 10.5 point per game last year. Her strong point is defense. is the best defensive player and the quickest player on the said Merica is also a pretty good all round player In addition to being given honorable mention in the area, Long was named last year to the all-Wabash River ference team She said she began playing basketball because played when I was young, so I just decided to try out for the team." Both girls would like to continue playing after they graduate.

Scott said she has Purdue University in mind and Long stated she would like to play for Indiana State University, but neither girl has made any definite plans. The Rockville Rox plan to gain the recognition they feel they deserve this year by sweeping their area and taking the sectional crown. Support by parents and area adults was good last year as the girls' games were able to bring in the third most money of all athletics at the 300-student school. Scott and Long feel this will be a good year for the Rox, as does Merica. They will soon find out how this version of the team stacks up against their opponents as they open their 1977-78 season at home against Southmont on Nov.

29 Virginia Wade tops balloting for Pinch trophy NEW YORK (UPI)-Virginia Wade, top-ranked tennis player who was a surprise winner at Wimbledon last July, finished first in the third quarter balloting for the 1977 Pinch Woman Athlete of the World Tropoy, it was nounced today. An international panel of sportswriters gave Wade 101 points in the voting and selected golfer Judy Rankin second with 76 points. Rankin lifted her season earnings above $100.000 for the second straight year. Wade completed an emotion- packed Wimbledon tournament by defeating Holland Betty Stove, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, in the final match after eliminating defending champion Chris Evert in the semifinals. -M.

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