Maloofs own a racehorse
- Thread starter Warhawk
- Start date
Here it is:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14305114p-15185819c.html
At a loss
The Maloofs' racehorse is a champ at finishing second -- and you can't blame Kobe
By Debbie Arrington -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Wednesday, August 23, 2006
King Palm is the perfect racehorse for perennial bachelors Joe and Gavin Maloof. King Palm is a perennial bridesmaid.
The 5-year-old colt has finished second in nine consecutive races, setting what many racing experts believe is a record for close-but-no-Cigar futility.
"It's hilarious," Gavin Maloof said. "It's the only time I've ever been happy about finishing second in my life. Everybody into racing knows our horse.
"He's got a cult following."
Ripley's Believe It or Not and Guinness World Records have contacted the Maloofs, who named the horse after the Sacramento Kings and the Las Vegas hotel and casino owned by their family.
King Palm started his career with a sixth place and a third in 2004 before reeling off the seconds, all against top-class thoroughbreds on Southern California's major racing circuit. In his most recent start, Aug. 16 at Del Mar near San Diego, he rallied from last to finish second for the sixth time this year.
He has won about $100,000 without ever reaching the winner's circle -- and may run again before the end of the meet Sept. 6.
Vladimir Cerin, King Palm's trainer, said he is perplexed by the streak. He's never seen anything like it in his 27 years of training thoroughbreds.
"It's actually easier to win nine in a row -- if you have a really good horse -- than finish second nine times like that," Cerin said. "You have to beat everybody else except one horse each race. We're trying to win every time, but something always seems to happen."
The Maloofs say they've run out of excuses and are now enjoying the ride.
"We blamed the jockeys, bad starts, you name it," Joe Maloof said. "It's just crazy. It's an incredible story. He's beating 99 percent of his competition."
Added Gavin Maloof: "What are we going to do? You can't bench a horse. You can't fine him."
Racehorses can learn bad habits or develop a fear of the finish line, but Cerin said he doubts that is King Palm's problem. "He really wants to win," the trainer said. "He tries very hard every time."
The colt may be distracted by hormones. "He's very aggressive, and he likes to nip you," Cerin said. "He's just being playful, but a lot of humans have been tattooed by King Palm."
A solution to his runner-upitis could be castration. Geldings tend to be more focused on business than stallions. But the cut would be difficult for the Maloofs, who are favorites on the Las Vegas party circuit and have cultivated a reputation for reveling in their bachelorhood.
"We can't do that to him," Joe Maloof said. "I sure wouldn't want it done to me. We love King Palm. And someday he's going to win, and we want to breed him."
Dave Smith, a thoroughbred expert who picked out the colt for the Maloofs, said he believes King Palm could have a big future. "He's got too much talent (to geld)," Smith said. "Once he figures it out, he could go on a long winning streak."
The Maloofs realize the irony that King Palm has the same bridesmaid tendencies as their Kings franchise in the NBA playoffs.
The family does have one champion in the WNBA's Monarchs.
Said Joe Maloof: "Our first mistake was we didn't name him Monarch Palm. He would have won by now."
About the writer:
* The Bee's Debbie Arrington can be reached at (916) 326-5514 or darrington@sacbee.com.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14305114p-15185819c.html
At a loss
The Maloofs' racehorse is a champ at finishing second -- and you can't blame Kobe
By Debbie Arrington -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Wednesday, August 23, 2006
King Palm is the perfect racehorse for perennial bachelors Joe and Gavin Maloof. King Palm is a perennial bridesmaid.
The 5-year-old colt has finished second in nine consecutive races, setting what many racing experts believe is a record for close-but-no-Cigar futility.
"It's hilarious," Gavin Maloof said. "It's the only time I've ever been happy about finishing second in my life. Everybody into racing knows our horse.
"He's got a cult following."
Ripley's Believe It or Not and Guinness World Records have contacted the Maloofs, who named the horse after the Sacramento Kings and the Las Vegas hotel and casino owned by their family.
King Palm started his career with a sixth place and a third in 2004 before reeling off the seconds, all against top-class thoroughbreds on Southern California's major racing circuit. In his most recent start, Aug. 16 at Del Mar near San Diego, he rallied from last to finish second for the sixth time this year.
He has won about $100,000 without ever reaching the winner's circle -- and may run again before the end of the meet Sept. 6.
Vladimir Cerin, King Palm's trainer, said he is perplexed by the streak. He's never seen anything like it in his 27 years of training thoroughbreds.
"It's actually easier to win nine in a row -- if you have a really good horse -- than finish second nine times like that," Cerin said. "You have to beat everybody else except one horse each race. We're trying to win every time, but something always seems to happen."
The Maloofs say they've run out of excuses and are now enjoying the ride.
"We blamed the jockeys, bad starts, you name it," Joe Maloof said. "It's just crazy. It's an incredible story. He's beating 99 percent of his competition."
Added Gavin Maloof: "What are we going to do? You can't bench a horse. You can't fine him."
Racehorses can learn bad habits or develop a fear of the finish line, but Cerin said he doubts that is King Palm's problem. "He really wants to win," the trainer said. "He tries very hard every time."
The colt may be distracted by hormones. "He's very aggressive, and he likes to nip you," Cerin said. "He's just being playful, but a lot of humans have been tattooed by King Palm."
A solution to his runner-upitis could be castration. Geldings tend to be more focused on business than stallions. But the cut would be difficult for the Maloofs, who are favorites on the Las Vegas party circuit and have cultivated a reputation for reveling in their bachelorhood.
"We can't do that to him," Joe Maloof said. "I sure wouldn't want it done to me. We love King Palm. And someday he's going to win, and we want to breed him."
Dave Smith, a thoroughbred expert who picked out the colt for the Maloofs, said he believes King Palm could have a big future. "He's got too much talent (to geld)," Smith said. "Once he figures it out, he could go on a long winning streak."
The Maloofs realize the irony that King Palm has the same bridesmaid tendencies as their Kings franchise in the NBA playoffs.
The family does have one champion in the WNBA's Monarchs.
Said Joe Maloof: "Our first mistake was we didn't name him Monarch Palm. He would have won by now."
About the writer:
* The Bee's Debbie Arrington can be reached at (916) 326-5514 or darrington@sacbee.com.