Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
February 21, 2008
www.thistledown.com
Hall Of Fame Trainer Nick Zito Praises Thistledown’s Bill Couch
There are no home teams in thoroughbred racing. The sport is very competitive, as are its participants, so when one of them, a member of the Hall of Fame no less, goes out of his way to shower compliments, it's a major story.
Bill Couch, Thistledown's longtime director of racing, is serving his first full season as the racing secretary at sister track Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., and his work has caught the eye of Nick Zito, the Hall of Fame trainer who has won two Kentucky Derbys (Strike the Gold in 1991 and Go For Gin in 1994), a Preakness (Louis Quatorze in 1996) and a Belmont Stakes (Birdstone in 2004).
Earlier this month, Zito told the Thoroughbred Times, "This (Couch) is an exceptional racing secretary. He really knows what he's doing. I've been around Kenny Noe, who I think is the best; Tommy Trotter, certainly one of the best; and some other great secretaries. (Couch) has the potential to be one of the best. I love what he's doing this meeting at Gulfstream Park."
Couch has dealt with Zito for years through his recruiting for Ohio Derby hopefuls, but really got to know him last year when he spent the winter at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park's training facility in Boyton Beach, helping fill the entry box.
"Nick and I hit it off well," said Couch. "I really appreciate his comments."
BETTING ON DESERT RACES --- Horseplayers can apply their handicapping skills to some of the best thoroughbred racing in the world over the next five weeks when Thistledown offers the 2008 Dubai International Racing Carnival from Nad al Sheba Race Course in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. "This is a great opportunity to watch and wager on international racing," said Bob Hickey, Thistledown's director of mutuels. "The past performances on these great races that will include Horse of the Year Curlin, will be free to patrons. All they have to do is pick one up at the program stand on our main floor. The first of five Dubai race cards will be shown today, Thursday, Feb. 21. The other dates are Friday, Feb. 22, Thursday, Feb. 28, Thursday March 6, which is a "super card" featuring Curlin, and Saturday March 29, Dubai World Cup Day.
FEED BAG --- Thistledown recently produced a three-minute video that will soon be sent to area businesses showing the track's excellent facilities for seminars, banquets and dinner-dances. Highlighted in the presentation are the main clubhouse, the Bistro, and the Magna Suite . . . While none of Thistledown's patrons were able to string together the required half-dozen winners, sister track Santa Anita paid a record $3.1 million to one lucky horseplayer who solved the Pick 6. The winning ticket was sold at The Meadowlands in New Jersey. While the bettor requested to remain anonymous, he did explain that he bought a $4,320 ticket that included two races on which he used just one horse, combined with as many as nine horses in another race. He said he couldn't have afforded the ticket without the two singles . . . For patrons who like to do their wagering after dark, Thistledown still have five full evening wagering cards. They are: Thursday, Feb. 21, Sunday, Feb. 24, Tuesday, Feb. 26, Wednesday, Feb. 27, and Thursday, Feb. 28.