OWNERS TURN SINGLETARY INTO PARTY ANIMAL.

Byline: Kevin Modesti Staff Writer

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Singletary's owners didn't wear their Chicago Bears jerseys to Lone Star Park to watch the colt run in the $1.5 million Breeders' Cup Mile on Saturday, trainer Don Chatlos having warned that on an occasion like this it's bad form to ``thumb your nose at the racing gods.''

That doesn't mean the 15 sharp-dressed men restrained themselves in celebrating after Singletary and jockey David Flores scored a $35 upset that was as eye-popping as you'd expect from a horse named for the star linebacker.

Led by Bill Koch of Hidden Hills, the group turned a post-race press conference into something verging on a frat party.

``We never set out to make a million dollars,'' said Koch, whose group has earned more than $1.4 million with Southern California-based Singletary after purchasing him and two other young horses for $140,000 last year in Florida. ``You look around this room and see smiles and cheers, and that's what we are about.

``It used to be that (racing) was fun, and people could laugh and cry and go crazy,'' added Koch, 34, nostalgic for childhood days spent at the track with grandfather Howard Koch, the Hollywood producer and thoroughbred owner. ``That's what it needs to be again. That's what will bring people back into the game.''

Flores, an L.A.-to-Dallas frequent flyer who has ridden 15 stakes winners at Lone Star Park, gave Singletary a perfect trip. Fifth entering the second turn, Singletary angled out at the top of the stretch and opened a clear lead in the stretch.

``Open up! Open up!'' Chatlos shouted in the stands, before quickly changing to ``Please hold on!''

It was Chatlos, 39, a Chicago native, and Koch, a Northwestern graduate, who named Singletary.

When pursuer Antonio Pius ducked toward the rail in the final yards and lost momentum, Singletary held on by one-half length. The 1:36.90 clocking made this one of the slowest editions of the Mile, but blame the turf labeled ``yielding'' after overnight rain. All three of Saturday's grass races missed the stakes records by four or more seconds.

Singletary ($35) and Antonius Pius (31-1) were followed by 2003 Mile winner Six Perfections (5-1) and Soaring Free (10-1), producing a $2 superfecta payoff of $107,388.

Tote-board favorite Artie Schiller finished 12th, right behind morning- line favorite Nothing to Lose.