OWNERS SKIP ALL THE HYPE; THE HINES CAN BUY ANYTHING, BUT STICK WITH THEIR LOVE OF A HORSE.Byline: Debbie Arrington Long Beach Press-Telegram The Long Beach Press-Telegram is a major daily newspaper published in Long Beach, California. Tracing its history to 1897, it is currently published by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. External links
Sonny and Carolyn Hine make quite a team. He trains horses; she owns them. ``What's she going to do? Fire me?'' says Sonny, with a shrug. ``I'm always the first one to pay his bills,'' answers Carolyn. These days, the Hines have the richest - and many people consider the fastest - horse on the track in Skip Away Skip Away (born April 4, 1993), a gray thoroughbred race horse, was named America's Champion 3 Year Old Male in 1996 and twice (1997, 1998) named America's Champion Handicap Horse. . He'll be the heavy favorite in Sunday's $1 million Hollywood Gold Cup The Hollywood Gold Cup is a Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses inaugurated in 1938 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. It was run as a handicap race until 1997 when it was switched to weight-for-age conditions. . Skippy, as the Hines call their big 5-year-old gray, has bankrolled more than $8.3 million. They're going for $10 million and Cigar's North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. record before they'll call it a career. ``We want him to leave a legacy, something people will remember,'' said Sonny. ``He's amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. . He's a throwback throwback see atavism. to horses in the old days,'' he continues. ``He works faster than most horses run. And he can run all day. Nothing bothers him. ``I might sound cornball corn·ball Slang n. One who behaves in a mawkish or unsophisticated manner. adj. Mawkish or unsophisticated; corny: a kid's cornball humor. , but we're just putting something back into the game,'' adds Sonny. ``We're paying back racing for what we've got all these years by letting people see our horse run.'' The Florida couple has received offers as high as $20 million for their horse. ``We could make twice that much if we sent him off to stud,'' Sonny said. ``But to hell with that. How much money do you need? We're simple folks. We like to see our horse run.'' Seeing Skip Away was one of the reasons they got him. Carolyn, who has bad eyesight eye·sight n. 1. The faculty of sight; vision. 2. Range of vision; view. caused by a rare genetic vision problem, had asked her husband to buy her a nice gray she could easily spot on the track. (That's also why her racing silks Racing silks are the colorful shirts worn by horse-racing jockeys. are fire-engine red and gold with matching bright red bandages.) Sonny picked out Skip Away, a son of Skip Trial who he had trained several years ago, and offered $30,000 for the colt with another partner paying half. ``The vet discovered he had a chip in his ankle and recommended we send him back,'' recalls Sonny. ``My partner said he wanted no part of a crippled horse. On the way home, my wife said his daddy ran with chips in both ankles and still won. ``So, we went back to get him. On the way into the stable, the fellow who was selling him said, `Will you take him for less money?' I said, `In a minute!''' They closed the deal for $22,500, one of the truly great bargains in racing. Carolyn admits she knows how to shop. On their first visit to California 22 years ago, she insisted Sonny take her to Rodeo Drive Rodeo Drive (IPA: /roʊˈdeɪoʊ/) generally refers to a famous three-block long stretch of boutiques and shops in Beverly Hills, California, United States, although the street stretches further north and south. . ``We went into one of those stores and I saw a pricetag on an outfit: $600,'' says Sonny. ``I couldn't believe it! Then, Carolyn pointed out: `That's just the jacket.' '' ``Now, I could buy whatever I want,'' says Carolyn, who owns 10 horses in all. ``I could have jewelry or fancy furs. But jewels and furs could never bring to me the pleasure I get from my horses.'' Particularly Skippy. ``I always say I have a special place in my heart for Skippy,'' she said. ``I carry Skippy's picture in my wallet, but not Sonny's. Sonny asked me, `Where do I fit in compared to Skippy?' I said, `It's a dead heat.' '' The couple met on a blind date 38 years ago. ``I knew nothing about horses or racing. I'd never been exposed to it,'' says Carolyn, who grew up in Baltimore. ``But when I met Sonny, I not only fell in love with the man, I fell in love with the sport.'' They've been married almost 36 years, ``and haven't had a day of vacation,'' adds Carolyn, who likes to hang out at the barn with her horse and husband. ``We've spent most of our marriage living in hotels, traveling from one track to another. Coming to California is as close to a vacation as we get.'' And if they win the Gold Cup? Says Carolyn, ``I can go to Rodeo Drive and get what I couldn't afford 22 years ago.'' What: $1 million Hollywood Gold Cup When: 4:20 p.m. Sunday Where: Hollywood Park Hollywood Park may be several places:
TV/Radio: ESPN/KNX-AM (1070) CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color) Skip Away, ridden by groom Clemente Sandez, gets a morning workout Friday. Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press |
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