Horses

Senor Swinger the latest Derby hopeful in Baffert's barn

Bob Baffert thrives not only in training thoroughbred race horses, but in acquiring talented new ones for his owners. A year ago he facilitated a purchase of eventual Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem for Prince Ahmed bin Salman. The $900,000 fee became a steal.

Baffert sought similar bargains when he brokered Senor Swinger's purchase this week for long-time clients Bob and Beverly Lewis.

Exact terms were not disclosed, but the colt's former trainer, Mickey Goldfine, told the Los Angeles Times owners Barry Golden and Bob Ackerman had rejected a $2-million offer before the Florida Derby, where Senor Swinger finished fifth.

The Lewises won the 1997 Derby with Baffert and Silver Charm, and again in 1999 with Charismatic, who was trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Baffert has won three of the past six Derby runnings.

The purchase of Senor Swinger might keep the Lewises and Baffert in the Derby mix. Composure, a filly owned by the Lewises, was retired last week after cracking a sesamoid bone. Baffert lost top hopeful Vindication early this spring to injury and saw his next bests -- Kafwain and Domestic Dispute -- lose in their last starts.

Senor Swinger has won twice in three starts, but is inexperienced in stakes competition.

SUBDUED: Many of the lavish festivities that usually surround the Dubai World Cup will be low-key this weekend with the war in Iraq 500 miles away.

Some potential American entrants for the world's richest race ($6-million) stayed away, though 4-year-old Harlan's Holiday, the odds-on Kentucky Derby favorite a year ago, drew the 10th post in an 11-horse field.

Jockey John Velazquez, who rode Harlan's Holiday to victory in Gulfstream's Donn Handicap last month, is reticent about traveling to Dubai because his wife is pregnant, forcing trainer Todd Pletcher to make contingency plans.

The rest of the field, from the rail out, includes: Aquarelliste, State Shinto, Sei Mi, Hans Anderson, Blue Burner, Grundlefoot, Nayef, Crimson Quest, Grandera and Moon Ballad.

NOT TONIGHT: War Emblem is not approaching his life as a stud with the same zeal that won two legs of the Triple Crown. Purchased last summer for $17-million by Shadai Stallion Station in Japan, he has mated with only six mares since being led to the breeding shed in February. His owners had booked almost 200 mares for his services this season.

Insurance policies cover losses when studs fail to produce, but often require that the problem is medical. War Emblem simply seems disinterested. It's a costly indifference. His stud fee reportedly is between $66-75,000 per mare.

One typical remedy is to stable a finicky young colt where he can see seasoned studs at work. Such tactics worked with 1977 Triple Crown-winner Seattle Slew, according to the Daily Racing Form.

VERY INTERESTING: Americans expressing an interest in racing increased a third consecutive year, according to a survey sponsored by ESPN and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

The 3.6-percent increase moved racing from 14th to 11th, as 35 percent said they were "a little bit interested," "somewhat interested" or "very interested." The sport moved a percentage point ahead of the NHL. Racing's figure increased from 31.2 percent in 1999. The NFL (66.2), Major League Baseball (58.7) and college football (54.9) were the top three.

TOPS: Milwaukee Brew is the nation's top money-earner with $650,000. He has a win and a second in two starts. Jerry Bailey leads all jockeys with $4,021,145. Bobby Frankel leads trainers with $3,196,140.

-- Information from other news sources contributed to this report.

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