My goodness. Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino is at it again. It installed elevators to the casino recently then announced it was going to build a hotel on its parking lot.
They will.
It seems owner Stan Fulton is intent on making Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino the best doggone casino/racing operation in the Southwest. And, boy, will that help El Paso and surrounding areas.
BAUGH ALSO announced the 2015-2016 live Sunland horse racing season schedule. It will begin Dec. 18 and run through April 19. Live horse racing days will be on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays of each week. First post time will be 12:45 p.m. through Feb. 16 then change to 1:30 p.m. the remainder of the season.
Tuesdays will be dedicated solely to thoroughbred racing. “Our exciting new racing format will consist of 70 percent thoroughbred races and showcase a new and purse enhancement stakes schedule,” Baugh added.
With UTEP, the El Paso Chihuahuas, our high schools, Sun Bowl, beautiful golf courses, great weather and Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, my sports cup runneth over.
TRIVIA QUESTION: American Pharaoh won the Triple Crown in horse racing this year and now 12 horses in all have accomplished that feat. But which horse was the first to win the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes)? Answer at end of column.
THERE SURE are a lot of young PGA “tigers” in golf these days. They’re all in their 20s and none has the last name of Woods. Rory McIlroy, 26, has won four Majors. Jordan Spieth, 22, won two Majors this year. Then along comes Jason Day, 27, and wins the PGA in record fashion (20 strokes under par) last week. Love it. Makes the PGA a heck of a lot more exciting and keeps you wondering who’s on first.
DID YOU Know? Department: Charles Hill, a member of the UTEP football and basketball statistical team who recently wrote a book about high schools in El Paso and surrounding area that won state championships, has been hired as a teacher at Cathedral High School. He’ll be teaching geometry, algebra 2 and advanced math. He formerly taught at Bowie High School.
MORE DID You Know? El Paso golf guru/musician Jack Welch will be playing and singing his enchanting music again this year at the gala party preceding the multi-million dollar All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs which is run on Labor Day. The party will be held the Thursday before the race. Welch is currently delighting diners with his music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights at Paco Wong Restaurant on North Mesa Street. Oh, yes, and he’s still available for golf lessons.
AND HERE’S wishing a speedy recovery by Benny Brooks, former highly successful cross country coach at several local high schools and a member of the board of directors of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame. He suffered a stroke earlier this month.
ANSWER to trivia question: Sir Barton in 1919. (Just for your info, here are other Triple Crown winners: Gallant Fox n 1930, Omaha in 1935, War Admiral in 1937, Whirlaway in 1941, Count Fleet I 1943, Assault in 1946, Citation in 1948, Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977, Affirmed in 1978 and American Pharaoh in 2015).