Like many 12 year olds, C.J. Fair dabbled in many different sports. He played some baseball, a little football and anything his friends were into at the time.
Then he started "growing like a weed," as his father Carl put it, and Carl asked him to pick one sport. C.J. chose basketball, and he and his friends — Antonio and Will Barton, Josh Selby and Nick Faust — began dominating anyone who stood in their way. They formed a super team, as the lanky lefty C.J. continued to sharpen his game at the John Eager Howard Community Center and around Baltimore playgrounds."That's when I knew he had it in him," Carl Fair said. "And I knew that's what he wanted to do. That's when he started really focusing solely on basketball."
As his father predicted when C.J. was 12, the NBA is now a real possibility. The NBA draft is Thursday, and Fair is projected as a mid-to-late second round pick. After four years playing for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse and finishing as one of the most distinguished players in school history, Fair has trained with NBA greats George Gervin and John Lucas this offseason to prepare for the draft.
He has worked out for half of the NBA's teams in recent weeks, and he's fully confident he'll hear his name called Thursday night. Those close to Fair think whichever team takes him will be getting a steal.
"I think he's one of the most underrated guys in this whole draft," Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris said. "Whatever team picks him, I think the sky's the limit for him."
Fair and Harris work out together with Gervin in San Antonio. Harris, who was drafted 19th overall in 2011, has known Fair for years. They teamed up on the Baltimore Stars Amateur Athletic Union team in high school and have been friends since.
Harris' father, Torrel, is now C.J.'s agent. He was Gervin's agent, too, which is how C.J. got the opportunity to work out with Gervin. Fair and Harris often work on their 1-on-1 play, as Fair is striving to show scouts that the playmaking ability he had in college can translate to the next level.
"George Gervin, he's been a great mentor for me, helping me with my technique on the offensive end," Fair said. "We've been working on my jump shot and how to get separation."
While at Syracuse, getting separation was Fair's forte. He'd give a little jab step, then another, up fake and shoot over the defender. Defenders would know what was coming but still often be unable to stop it. Carl Fair calls C.J.'s midrange game his bread and butter.
Longtime Baltimore Stars official Troy Franklin, who watched Fair play throughout his childhood, agrees with Carl's assessment.
"He can shoot the lights out," Franklin said.
Fair is trying to market himself as a mid-range threat who can play solid defense. He knows some critics say playing in Boeheim's 2-3 zone is disadvantageous going to the NBA, but Fair's out to debunk that myth.
When he's not working out with teams or Gervin, Fair makes his way to Houston to train with Lucas, the NBA's No. 1 pick in 1976 out of Maryland.Five hours a day. Shots from all over the court. Dribbling drills. The workouts are grueling, but Fair knows they will be worth it.
Lucas said Fair's ball-handling has consistently improved since he arrived in Houston. At Syracuse, Fair had to dribble the ball more his senior year because of the team's lack of depth at guard. He knows everyone has to be able to dribble extremely well in the NBA, so he's ensuring his handles are up to par.
Lucas' main goals are to improve the 6-foot-8 Fair's conditioning and continue to polish his right hand. While Fair still has a ways to go, Lucas believes he has tremendous upside.
"C.J. is savvy and crafty as a player," Lucas said. "He's working hard to continue to improve his shot. His decision making is very good."
When Fair was trying to decide whether to declare for the draft after his junior season, Carl weighed in on the matter. His degree was within reach, so why not stay? Though this year's draft class is a lot stronger, he's going to have to guard players like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony at small forward if all goes according to plan, so why not continue to improve another year?
And that's what Fair did, piecing together his most complete season at Syracuse. He averaged 16.6 points per game, forming one of the most lethal duos in the country with freshman Tyler Ennis.
While the natural inclination of many players is to go to the NBA as soon as possible, Fair was the exception. Rather than hurt his stock like North Carolina forward James Michael McAdoo, for example, he continued to build his resume and improve his game.Unlike Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Noah Vonleh, Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon — all potential top-10 picks who left after their freshman season — Fair stuck around. His Twitter bio has read "Transitioning from fitting in to standing out" for months, and that is what Fair has gradually done over the past four years. Tobias Harris believes that experience will help him mightily going forward.
"I think he's more ready than more than half the guys in this whole NBA draft." Harris said. "He played four years in college, so he's more mature."Carl and C.J. Fair say they've received positive feedback from NBA team's about C.J.'s offensive skills and his ability to make the game look easy. C.J. has been pleased with how he's performed in 3-on-3 and 1-on-1 drills, knowing training with Gervin and Harris has been instrumental.
For the string bean from Baltimore, the NBA is now at his fingertips. He doesn't just want to get drafted; he wants to make his mark in the league and stay in it for years.
Looking back, he knows all the hard work he's put in is going to pay off and he's eager to continue surprising people.
"When the draft comes and I hear my name called that'll be amazing," Fair said. "It'll be everything."
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Monday, April 13, 2015
As he prepares for first start since injury, Dylan Bundy predicts return to form
Dylan Bundy is confident he can be the dominant pitcher he was before an elbow injury interrupted a promising start to his professional career.
Bundy, on the cusp of pitching in his first game since 2012, spoke Thursday at Ripken Stadium, home of short-season Single-A Aberdeen and his new home for at least the next few weeks. He said his arm feels great, and he's eager to make his first start Sunday on the road against Hudson Valley.
"I feel like I can be the same as I used to be," Bundy said. "It just takes time."
Bundy, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 first-year player draft and the Orioles' top prospect, according to Baseball America, has spent the last year recovering from Tommy John surgery. His original target to return to the mound was June 28, a year after his surgery, but he's two weeks ahead of schedule.
He said he could pitch for the Orioles this season, but his focus is on proving himself again and regaining his comfort on the mound. Facing live hitters in a game is something he has wanted to do for months.
"I just want to get through my rehab process healthy and then get out there competing again," Bundy said. "Everything else will take care of itself."
Bundy, 21, said he expects to make three or four starts with Aberdeen, but he's not sure how long he'll stay with the team. He has not pitched more than four innings or thrown more than 72 pitches at a time since his injury, but he'll be stretched to five innings or 75 pitches — whichever comes first — Sunday.He said he no longer thinks much about his arm when he's pitching and, after a year, is back to the place where he feels most comfortable — the mound.
"He's kind of getting the chains unleashed," IronBirds manager Matt Merullo said.
Bundy said the most difficult part of the rehab was the first month after he had the surgery. He'd go for walks just to get some fresh air and not stay barricaded in his apartment.
"It's tough laying around," he said. "Especially me, I don't like to lay around the couch all day."
After the first month, the recovery process went smoothly, he said. Bundy was finally able to ride a bike and exercise a little bit. He worked out with his brother, Bobby — who is also rehabbing from elbow surgery — in Sarasota, Fla.
Bundy said his fastball reached 94 mph in his past two four-inning starts in extended spring training, and that his fastball command the last two starts was better than it was in the first three.
As for his secondary pitches, he said they're better now than they were at the end of his first professional season, when he was in Double-A and was called up to the big leagues.
"Maybe not the tightest spin or the depth that I want," Bundy said, "but as far as locating, I feel a lot better about it."
Part of him wants to breeze through the starts as quickly as he can, but part of him knows he should take things slowly. He wants to look at the results because he's competitive, but knows the process is more important.
Said Bundy: "As long as I go out there and pitch my game and my arm is fine, I'll be happy."
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Bundy, on the cusp of pitching in his first game since 2012, spoke Thursday at Ripken Stadium, home of short-season Single-A Aberdeen and his new home for at least the next few weeks. He said his arm feels great, and he's eager to make his first start Sunday on the road against Hudson Valley.
"I feel like I can be the same as I used to be," Bundy said. "It just takes time."
Bundy, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 first-year player draft and the Orioles' top prospect, according to Baseball America, has spent the last year recovering from Tommy John surgery. His original target to return to the mound was June 28, a year after his surgery, but he's two weeks ahead of schedule.
He said he could pitch for the Orioles this season, but his focus is on proving himself again and regaining his comfort on the mound. Facing live hitters in a game is something he has wanted to do for months.
"I just want to get through my rehab process healthy and then get out there competing again," Bundy said. "Everything else will take care of itself."
Bundy, 21, said he expects to make three or four starts with Aberdeen, but he's not sure how long he'll stay with the team. He has not pitched more than four innings or thrown more than 72 pitches at a time since his injury, but he'll be stretched to five innings or 75 pitches — whichever comes first — Sunday.He said he no longer thinks much about his arm when he's pitching and, after a year, is back to the place where he feels most comfortable — the mound.
"He's kind of getting the chains unleashed," IronBirds manager Matt Merullo said.
Bundy said the most difficult part of the rehab was the first month after he had the surgery. He'd go for walks just to get some fresh air and not stay barricaded in his apartment.
"It's tough laying around," he said. "Especially me, I don't like to lay around the couch all day."
After the first month, the recovery process went smoothly, he said. Bundy was finally able to ride a bike and exercise a little bit. He worked out with his brother, Bobby — who is also rehabbing from elbow surgery — in Sarasota, Fla.
Bundy said his fastball reached 94 mph in his past two four-inning starts in extended spring training, and that his fastball command the last two starts was better than it was in the first three.
As for his secondary pitches, he said they're better now than they were at the end of his first professional season, when he was in Double-A and was called up to the big leagues.
"Maybe not the tightest spin or the depth that I want," Bundy said, "but as far as locating, I feel a lot better about it."
Part of him wants to breeze through the starts as quickly as he can, but part of him knows he should take things slowly. He wants to look at the results because he's competitive, but knows the process is more important.
Said Bundy: "As long as I go out there and pitch my game and my arm is fine, I'll be happy."
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/TrevorHass
Kevin Gausman 'wasn't too thrilled' with his performance vs. the Tigers
Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman dominated the Detroit Tigers on June 2, 2013, allowing just one run in six innings en route to a 4-2 win.
On Wednesday, though, the Tigers got the best of Gausman in his first start of the season. The right-hander gave up five earned runs in four innings as Detroit (24-12) jumped out to a 5-0 lead and went on to beat the Orioles (20-18), 7-5, in the series finale at Camden Yards.
“I wasn’t too thrilled with it,” Gausman said. “I thought I did some good things early on. As the game progressed, my fastball started going up in the zone.”
Gausman said his splitter wasn’t as good as it has been lately, which upset him more than anything else. He felt good about his stuff overall, but he didn't get the results he wanted.
"OK. Wasn't as good as we had hoped,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said after the game. “But had a real good first inning. Some counts in his favor he didn't make work. He'll get better. Capable of better."
Gausman, 23, was called up Wednesday to face the potent Tigers lineup after Showalter decided that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen would be better suited to face the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
Early in the game, it appeared as though Gausman was on his way to another impressive performance against Detroit. He retired seven Tigers in a row to start the game, cruising through the heart of the lineup unscathed.
Gausman was clocked at 98 mph, and his aggressive, yet calculated approach matched that of a potential long-term starter.
In the third inning, though, the Tigers played small ball with one out to take a 2-0 lead.
Bryan Holaday reached on an infield single before Danny Worth singled to right field. Ian Kinsler loaded the bases with another infield single, and then Miguel Cabrera singled to left field to drive in two runs.
The next inning, Gausman’s rocky stretch continued. Holaday singled to drive in a run, Worth reached on an RBI bunt single, and Rajai Davis’ sacrifice fly scored one more. As Gausman pointed out, the bottom half of Detroit’s lineup did more damage than the top half.
Detroit’s No. 6 through No. 9 hitters combined for five hits and five runs, fueling the two innings that gave the Tigers a six-run lead after the top of the fifth.
“I just tried to go out there and get through those innings,” Gausman said. “The fourth was a tough inning for me. So was the third.”
Gausman, who is nearly fully recovered from pneumonia, threw 70 pitches in the bullpen Tuesday after being called up from Norfolk. Though he was capped at 75 pitches in the minors, Showalter bumped that number to 85 against Detroit.
Showalter wanted five or six innings from Gausman, but he only made it through four. He reached 87 pitches (54 strikes) after retiring Kinsler, and his afternoon came to a close.
Gausman said he didn’t even think about his pitch count or know what it was up to at any point. He felt fine physically, despite only three days’ rest. The main issue was making mistakes to hitters that were able to take advantage.
Gausman’s future is now uncertain. Showalter plans to discuss his status and figure out the best course of action prior to the team’s six-game road trip.
“We are going to take in today and talk about it on the plane,” Showalter said. “He’ll go with us. We will decide between now and tomorrow what we are going to do next. Probably decide tonight, or this afternoon before we leave.”
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On Wednesday, though, the Tigers got the best of Gausman in his first start of the season. The right-hander gave up five earned runs in four innings as Detroit (24-12) jumped out to a 5-0 lead and went on to beat the Orioles (20-18), 7-5, in the series finale at Camden Yards.
“I wasn’t too thrilled with it,” Gausman said. “I thought I did some good things early on. As the game progressed, my fastball started going up in the zone.”
Gausman said his splitter wasn’t as good as it has been lately, which upset him more than anything else. He felt good about his stuff overall, but he didn't get the results he wanted.
"OK. Wasn't as good as we had hoped,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said after the game. “But had a real good first inning. Some counts in his favor he didn't make work. He'll get better. Capable of better."
Gausman, 23, was called up Wednesday to face the potent Tigers lineup after Showalter decided that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen would be better suited to face the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
Early in the game, it appeared as though Gausman was on his way to another impressive performance against Detroit. He retired seven Tigers in a row to start the game, cruising through the heart of the lineup unscathed.
Gausman was clocked at 98 mph, and his aggressive, yet calculated approach matched that of a potential long-term starter.
In the third inning, though, the Tigers played small ball with one out to take a 2-0 lead.
Bryan Holaday reached on an infield single before Danny Worth singled to right field. Ian Kinsler loaded the bases with another infield single, and then Miguel Cabrera singled to left field to drive in two runs.
The next inning, Gausman’s rocky stretch continued. Holaday singled to drive in a run, Worth reached on an RBI bunt single, and Rajai Davis’ sacrifice fly scored one more. As Gausman pointed out, the bottom half of Detroit’s lineup did more damage than the top half.
Detroit’s No. 6 through No. 9 hitters combined for five hits and five runs, fueling the two innings that gave the Tigers a six-run lead after the top of the fifth.
“I just tried to go out there and get through those innings,” Gausman said. “The fourth was a tough inning for me. So was the third.”
Gausman, who is nearly fully recovered from pneumonia, threw 70 pitches in the bullpen Tuesday after being called up from Norfolk. Though he was capped at 75 pitches in the minors, Showalter bumped that number to 85 against Detroit.
Showalter wanted five or six innings from Gausman, but he only made it through four. He reached 87 pitches (54 strikes) after retiring Kinsler, and his afternoon came to a close.
Gausman said he didn’t even think about his pitch count or know what it was up to at any point. He felt fine physically, despite only three days’ rest. The main issue was making mistakes to hitters that were able to take advantage.
Gausman’s future is now uncertain. Showalter plans to discuss his status and figure out the best course of action prior to the team’s six-game road trip.
“We are going to take in today and talk about it on the plane,” Showalter said. “He’ll go with us. We will decide between now and tomorrow what we are going to do next. Probably decide tonight, or this afternoon before we leave.”
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/TrevorHass
Big night for rookie catcher Caleb Joseph in Orioles' loss to Tigers
Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph picked up his first career major League hit in the bottom of the fourth inning Tuesday night when he lined a fastball from Detroit Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly on an 0-1 count to center field.
“It was good, but it doesn’t matter because we lost,” Joseph said after the game. “Personal achievements don't mean crap to me right now. I’m just trying to win games for the Orioles.”
When he reached first base, the crowd at Camden Yards recognized the milestone with a standing ovation. Joseph, 27, started his career 0-for-8 before the hit.
In addition to collecting his first hit, Joseph guided starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez to arguably the right-hander's best outing at Camden Yards. Jimenez shut out the Tigers in seven innings, surrendering just three hits and striking out seven on 97 pitches.
“Joseph caught a great game out there,” Jimenez said. “He has a really good idea of what he was doing.”The Orioles drafted Joseph in the seventh round of the 2008 amateur draft. After bouncing around the organization's farm system, Joseph finally entered the majors this season.
With starting catcher Matt Wieters on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain, manager Buck Showalter has started both Joseph and Steve Clevenger. While Clevenger has 14 hits in 46 at-bats, Joseph had struggled to get into a groove at the plate.
He was 0-for-3 against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, and finished 0-for-4 with a strikeout the following day. After hitting into a fielder’s choice to end the second inning Tuesday night, though, Joseph finally delivered.
Tigers first baseman Victor Martinez handed him the ball as the fans stood and cheered.
Joseph also threw out three base runners -- two caught stealing -- and advanced Jonathan Schoop to second base on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the seventh.
After the game, Showalter immediately praised the first-year catcher and credited him for helping the Orioles stay in front until the ninth.
Showalter said he was impressed by Joseph’s ability to successfully lay down a bunt.
When players bat third or fourth in the order during their entire minor league career, they are not accustomed to bunting in the eighth or ninth spot in the majors, Showalter said, but Joseph did so smoothly and effectively.
thass@baltsun.com
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“It was good, but it doesn’t matter because we lost,” Joseph said after the game. “Personal achievements don't mean crap to me right now. I’m just trying to win games for the Orioles.”
When he reached first base, the crowd at Camden Yards recognized the milestone with a standing ovation. Joseph, 27, started his career 0-for-8 before the hit.
In addition to collecting his first hit, Joseph guided starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez to arguably the right-hander's best outing at Camden Yards. Jimenez shut out the Tigers in seven innings, surrendering just three hits and striking out seven on 97 pitches.
“Joseph caught a great game out there,” Jimenez said. “He has a really good idea of what he was doing.”The Orioles drafted Joseph in the seventh round of the 2008 amateur draft. After bouncing around the organization's farm system, Joseph finally entered the majors this season.
With starting catcher Matt Wieters on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain, manager Buck Showalter has started both Joseph and Steve Clevenger. While Clevenger has 14 hits in 46 at-bats, Joseph had struggled to get into a groove at the plate.
He was 0-for-3 against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, and finished 0-for-4 with a strikeout the following day. After hitting into a fielder’s choice to end the second inning Tuesday night, though, Joseph finally delivered.
Tigers first baseman Victor Martinez handed him the ball as the fans stood and cheered.
Joseph also threw out three base runners -- two caught stealing -- and advanced Jonathan Schoop to second base on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the seventh.
After the game, Showalter immediately praised the first-year catcher and credited him for helping the Orioles stay in front until the ninth.
Showalter said he was impressed by Joseph’s ability to successfully lay down a bunt.
When players bat third or fourth in the order during their entire minor league career, they are not accustomed to bunting in the eighth or ninth spot in the majors, Showalter said, but Joseph did so smoothly and effectively.
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/TrevorHass
Terps baseball team to play Old Dominion on Friday in NCAA regional
COLLEGE PARK — A record-setting season for the Maryland baseball team will continue this week as the Terps qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1971.
The Terps earned the No. 2 seed in the Columbia regional, and they will play against third-seeded Old Dominion (36-24) from Conference USA on Friday at 1 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.
"It's a collaboration of a lot of work from our coaching staff and players," Maryland coach John Szefc said. "It's a really good feeling of at least getting some payback for all the blood, sweat and tears we've put into it."
The Maryland team gathered at Looney's Pub at noon Monday, eating Old Bay wings and watching a massive projection screen to find out where they would be playing.
A part of the final regional to be announced on the selection show, Terps players and fans stood and cheered when the team learned its destination.
Maryland has already set the program's single-season record for wins, and they currently have a 36-21 record heading into the tournament. The Terps finished 15-14 in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season.
And then Maryland boosted its resume with convincing wins over Virginia and Florida State in the ACC tournament to make the championship game before losing, 9-4, to Georgia Tech.
"To get down there and play two of the top five teams in the country, and actually end up beating them," Terps sophomore right-handed pitcher Kevin Mooney (North Harford) said. "It really lifted up our spirits and made us believe that much more that we can make it."
The other two teams in Maryland's region — top-seeded South Carolina and No. 4 seed Campbell — will play at 7 p.m. Friday. The two winners will play Saturday, while the two losers also will meet in an elimination game.
The winner of the four-team, double-elimination regional will play the winner of the Charlottesville regional in the super regionals from June 6 to 9.
The Terps, who have won 11 of their past 13 games, are 4-4 against the Top 8 national seeds this season.
"We just played pretty well as a team at the end of the year," Mooney said. "Got really hot, and I think that helped push us into the postseason."
Maryland is looking for its second-ever NCAA tournament win, and its first since 1970. Maryland is 1-6 all-time in the tournament. The Terps will head to South Carolina on Wednesday.
"This is awesome," Maryland sophomore outfielder Anthony Papio said. "I think everyone's really pumped to go down to South Carolina, which is a great place to play, and a team that's been pretty dominant the last few years. So that's going to make it even more exciting for us."
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/TrevorHass
The Terps earned the No. 2 seed in the Columbia regional, and they will play against third-seeded Old Dominion (36-24) from Conference USA on Friday at 1 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.
"It's a collaboration of a lot of work from our coaching staff and players," Maryland coach John Szefc said. "It's a really good feeling of at least getting some payback for all the blood, sweat and tears we've put into it."
The Maryland team gathered at Looney's Pub at noon Monday, eating Old Bay wings and watching a massive projection screen to find out where they would be playing.
A part of the final regional to be announced on the selection show, Terps players and fans stood and cheered when the team learned its destination.
Maryland has already set the program's single-season record for wins, and they currently have a 36-21 record heading into the tournament. The Terps finished 15-14 in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season.
And then Maryland boosted its resume with convincing wins over Virginia and Florida State in the ACC tournament to make the championship game before losing, 9-4, to Georgia Tech.
"To get down there and play two of the top five teams in the country, and actually end up beating them," Terps sophomore right-handed pitcher Kevin Mooney (North Harford) said. "It really lifted up our spirits and made us believe that much more that we can make it."
The other two teams in Maryland's region — top-seeded South Carolina and No. 4 seed Campbell — will play at 7 p.m. Friday. The two winners will play Saturday, while the two losers also will meet in an elimination game.
The winner of the four-team, double-elimination regional will play the winner of the Charlottesville regional in the super regionals from June 6 to 9.
The Terps, who have won 11 of their past 13 games, are 4-4 against the Top 8 national seeds this season.
"We just played pretty well as a team at the end of the year," Mooney said. "Got really hot, and I think that helped push us into the postseason."
Maryland is looking for its second-ever NCAA tournament win, and its first since 1970. Maryland is 1-6 all-time in the tournament. The Terps will head to South Carolina on Wednesday.
"This is awesome," Maryland sophomore outfielder Anthony Papio said. "I think everyone's really pumped to go down to South Carolina, which is a great place to play, and a team that's been pretty dominant the last few years. So that's going to make it even more exciting for us."
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/TrevorHass
Maryland Jockey Club president rooting for California Chrome to win Triple Crown
Maryland Jockey Club President Tom Chuckas says he is rooting for California Chrome to win the Triple Crown — both for the health of the industry and the storyline.
"Just simply having a Triple Crown keeps the industry and the public generally enthused about what's going on," Chuckas said Monday morning in a post-Preakness Stakes news conference at Pimlico Race Course. "It keeps the eyes on it, which brings attention and hopefully creates more customers, and so on."
He also called California Chrome a "feel-good story" with a team comprised of "regular people" who were agreeable and gracious during their time in Baltimore.
California Chrome can become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Feel-good element aside, Chuckas is happy the horse is in the hunt to boost attendance at Pimlico and Laurel Park during the Belmont Stakes on June 7.
"We'd have a nice day, but our attendance here will be two-and-a-half to three times what it is without a Triple Crown [contender]," Chuckas said. "People will wager more. Overall it's a big economic impact for us."
Chuckas estimates the attendance at Belmont will be around 100,000 because of the intrigue of the Triple Crown.
With a record-breaking attendance of 123,469 at the Preakness on Saturday, Chuckas said the entire weekend was "very successful."
He said there were very few expulsions and arrests and that the entire process went smoothly.
"The infield was magical," Chuckas said. "Overall, the accolades came and I couldn't have been happier."
Despite the success, Chuckas make the point again that he believes the Triple Crown should undergo a scheduling change. Currently, the three races occur in a five-week time frame, but Chuckas would like to space out the races to improve the quality of competition.
"We have an obligation to our people to put the best product on the table, and we're not doing it," he said, reiterating a point he made in multiple interviews last week.
He likened changing the schedule to making a structural change in another professional sports league. He said some critics of a spread-out format would argue that an asterisk should be placed next to the horse's name if he or she is to win the Triple Crown.
However, he said MLB, the NBA and the NFL have made all kinds of changes over the years, so this would be no different.
"Do you really believe the Seattle Seahawks should have an asterisk by their name because there's a change in the format?" Chuckas asked. "I don't think so. I really don't."
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/TrevorHass
"Just simply having a Triple Crown keeps the industry and the public generally enthused about what's going on," Chuckas said Monday morning in a post-Preakness Stakes news conference at Pimlico Race Course. "It keeps the eyes on it, which brings attention and hopefully creates more customers, and so on."
He also called California Chrome a "feel-good story" with a team comprised of "regular people" who were agreeable and gracious during their time in Baltimore.
California Chrome can become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Feel-good element aside, Chuckas is happy the horse is in the hunt to boost attendance at Pimlico and Laurel Park during the Belmont Stakes on June 7.
"We'd have a nice day, but our attendance here will be two-and-a-half to three times what it is without a Triple Crown [contender]," Chuckas said. "People will wager more. Overall it's a big economic impact for us."
Chuckas estimates the attendance at Belmont will be around 100,000 because of the intrigue of the Triple Crown.
With a record-breaking attendance of 123,469 at the Preakness on Saturday, Chuckas said the entire weekend was "very successful."
He said there were very few expulsions and arrests and that the entire process went smoothly.
"The infield was magical," Chuckas said. "Overall, the accolades came and I couldn't have been happier."
Despite the success, Chuckas make the point again that he believes the Triple Crown should undergo a scheduling change. Currently, the three races occur in a five-week time frame, but Chuckas would like to space out the races to improve the quality of competition.
"We have an obligation to our people to put the best product on the table, and we're not doing it," he said, reiterating a point he made in multiple interviews last week.
He likened changing the schedule to making a structural change in another professional sports league. He said some critics of a spread-out format would argue that an asterisk should be placed next to the horse's name if he or she is to win the Triple Crown.
However, he said MLB, the NBA and the NFL have made all kinds of changes over the years, so this would be no different.
"Do you really believe the Seattle Seahawks should have an asterisk by their name because there's a change in the format?" Chuckas asked. "I don't think so. I really don't."
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/TrevorHass
Race-by-race results from Preakness Day
Race 1: Jockey Julian Pimentel rode Magic Cash to victory in the first of 12 races on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. Phlash Phelps took second and Relentless Ride finished in third in the 1 1/6-mile race. The winner finished in 1 minute, 44.98 seconds.
Originally set for turf, riders raced on dirt due to Friday’s rain.
Race 2: Lunar Rock and jockey Sheldon Russell won the Deputed Testamony Starter Handicap, finishing with a time of 1:44.51. No Brakes placed second for the second consecutive year, while Regal Warrior took third.
Race 3: Saddling Romp City, jockey Horacio Karamanos rode the rail to victory in the 1 1/6-mile race, which was moved from turf to dirt. Karamanos made a stretch run to pull away from second-place finisher Going to Market, rode by Victor Carrasco, and third-place finisher Tom Kitten, rode by Orlando Bocachica.
Saturday’s race was the second running of the $55,000 Xpressbet purse race.
Race 4: Jockey Victor Espinoza had a warmup before saddling California Chrome in the the Preakness Stakes race. He rode Majestic Hussar to victory in the LifeBridge Health Good Neighbors Race, finishing with a time of 58:46.
“Well, it's a good start at least,” Espinoza said. “It’s always good to win before the big race.”
Espinoza and Majestic Hussar, who came in with 8-5 odds, beat out Silvertonguedtommy and Awesome Arceno, who placed second and third respectively.
Race 5: Happy My Way and his trainer Joe Bravo stormed out to an early lead and never looked back, dominating the six-furlong Maryland Sprint Handicap with a time of 1:09:21.
Lemon Drop Dream placed second in the six-horse race, while Service for Ten came in third and Sneaking Uponyou came in fourth. Happy My Way, a 4-year-old gelding owned by Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank's Sagamore Racing, came in as the 6-5 favorite and cruised to victory.
Race 6: No. 7 horse Ageless and his jockey Luis Garcia won the day’s first race on turf. They ran The Very One Stakes with a time of 58.91 in one of the day’s closer finishes.
Perfect Measure placed second, Quality Lass came in third and Jewel of a Cat ended up in fourth. Fifteen horses raced in total, and the pack remained relatively tight throughout.
Race 7: Trainer Derek Ryan joked that he was due for a win on Preakness Day, and jockey Javier Castellano gave him one with a victory aboard Meadowood in the fifth running of the $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes.
Second-place finisher Brewing led for the majority of the six-furlong dirt race before Meadowood closed in to finish first with a time of 1:10.11. Prudhoe Bay ended the race in third.
“Everything went perfect, according to plan,” Ryan said.
Race 8: Wallyanna was in second place for most of The James W. Murphy Stakes. Yet in the final two furlongs, the horse and his jockey, Javier Castellano, surged in front of Open the Bank to finish with a time of 1:39.09.
Open the Bank placed second, while Thunder Strike and Allstar came in third and fourth, respectively. Wallyanna’s odds were 8-1 coming into the mile race. Castellano won his second-straight race.
Race 9: Somali Lemonade and Daydreamin Gracie were neck-and-neck in The Gallorette Handicap, but once the field made the turn for the final stretch, Watsdachances crept up, finishing in second place just short of Somali Lemonade, jockeyed by Luis Saez.
“She gives me everything,” said Saez, who clocked in at 1:44.16.
Triple Arch placed third in the 63rd running of the $150,000 race.
Race 10: Class Leader and jockey James Graham came from behind to win The Sir Barton Stakes, completing the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:43.79. He's a Chance held an early lead, but Life in Shambles, Six Spot and Sea View Chico came back to take second, third and fourth, respectively.
Race 11: Utley and his jockey Edgar Prado trailed for most of the race, but pulled ahead in the final five seconds to win one of the day’s more tightly contested events. Utley, coming in on the outside, defied 8-1 odds to seize first place with a time of 1:43.88.
Hey Leroy placed second and Chamois came in third in the 113th running of the $400,000 Longines Dixie Stakes.
Race 12: Preakness: The anticipation surrounding the 139th running of the Preakness came to an end with the Kentucky Derby winner and 3-5 favorite California Chrome winning the race, keeping his hopes at the Triple Crown alive.
Saddled by jockey Victor Espinoza, California Chrome began in the No. 3 post position, cruising in third place for most of the 1 3/16-mile race. But once the chestnut colt made the final turn, he kicked into high gear, finishing the race in 1:35.65 ahead of second place Ride on Curlin and third place Social Inclusion.
Next for California Chrome is The Belmont Stakes on June 7, with a shot of becoming the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
“New York, here we come,” trainer Art Sherman said.
Race 13: Sir Sidney started out strong. But going around the final turn of the 6-furlong race, the horse experienced a little traffic, falling back to third. Luckily a late charge gave him and jockey Sheldon Russell the victory in the final race of the 2014 Preakness weekend.
Orlando Bocachica rode Nevsky to a second place finish and Julian Pimentel saddled Negrito for third.
The victory was Russell’s second of the day.
adodson@baltsun.com
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/dodgerthat
twitter.com/TrevorHass
Originally set for turf, riders raced on dirt due to Friday’s rain.
Race 2: Lunar Rock and jockey Sheldon Russell won the Deputed Testamony Starter Handicap, finishing with a time of 1:44.51. No Brakes placed second for the second consecutive year, while Regal Warrior took third.
Race 3: Saddling Romp City, jockey Horacio Karamanos rode the rail to victory in the 1 1/6-mile race, which was moved from turf to dirt. Karamanos made a stretch run to pull away from second-place finisher Going to Market, rode by Victor Carrasco, and third-place finisher Tom Kitten, rode by Orlando Bocachica.
Saturday’s race was the second running of the $55,000 Xpressbet purse race.
Race 4: Jockey Victor Espinoza had a warmup before saddling California Chrome in the the Preakness Stakes race. He rode Majestic Hussar to victory in the LifeBridge Health Good Neighbors Race, finishing with a time of 58:46.
“Well, it's a good start at least,” Espinoza said. “It’s always good to win before the big race.”
Espinoza and Majestic Hussar, who came in with 8-5 odds, beat out Silvertonguedtommy and Awesome Arceno, who placed second and third respectively.
Race 5: Happy My Way and his trainer Joe Bravo stormed out to an early lead and never looked back, dominating the six-furlong Maryland Sprint Handicap with a time of 1:09:21.
Lemon Drop Dream placed second in the six-horse race, while Service for Ten came in third and Sneaking Uponyou came in fourth. Happy My Way, a 4-year-old gelding owned by Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank's Sagamore Racing, came in as the 6-5 favorite and cruised to victory.
Race 6: No. 7 horse Ageless and his jockey Luis Garcia won the day’s first race on turf. They ran The Very One Stakes with a time of 58.91 in one of the day’s closer finishes.
Perfect Measure placed second, Quality Lass came in third and Jewel of a Cat ended up in fourth. Fifteen horses raced in total, and the pack remained relatively tight throughout.
Race 7: Trainer Derek Ryan joked that he was due for a win on Preakness Day, and jockey Javier Castellano gave him one with a victory aboard Meadowood in the fifth running of the $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes.
Second-place finisher Brewing led for the majority of the six-furlong dirt race before Meadowood closed in to finish first with a time of 1:10.11. Prudhoe Bay ended the race in third.
“Everything went perfect, according to plan,” Ryan said.
Race 8: Wallyanna was in second place for most of The James W. Murphy Stakes. Yet in the final two furlongs, the horse and his jockey, Javier Castellano, surged in front of Open the Bank to finish with a time of 1:39.09.
Open the Bank placed second, while Thunder Strike and Allstar came in third and fourth, respectively. Wallyanna’s odds were 8-1 coming into the mile race. Castellano won his second-straight race.
Race 9: Somali Lemonade and Daydreamin Gracie were neck-and-neck in The Gallorette Handicap, but once the field made the turn for the final stretch, Watsdachances crept up, finishing in second place just short of Somali Lemonade, jockeyed by Luis Saez.
“She gives me everything,” said Saez, who clocked in at 1:44.16.
Triple Arch placed third in the 63rd running of the $150,000 race.
Race 10: Class Leader and jockey James Graham came from behind to win The Sir Barton Stakes, completing the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:43.79. He's a Chance held an early lead, but Life in Shambles, Six Spot and Sea View Chico came back to take second, third and fourth, respectively.
Race 11: Utley and his jockey Edgar Prado trailed for most of the race, but pulled ahead in the final five seconds to win one of the day’s more tightly contested events. Utley, coming in on the outside, defied 8-1 odds to seize first place with a time of 1:43.88.
Hey Leroy placed second and Chamois came in third in the 113th running of the $400,000 Longines Dixie Stakes.
Race 12: Preakness: The anticipation surrounding the 139th running of the Preakness came to an end with the Kentucky Derby winner and 3-5 favorite California Chrome winning the race, keeping his hopes at the Triple Crown alive.
Saddled by jockey Victor Espinoza, California Chrome began in the No. 3 post position, cruising in third place for most of the 1 3/16-mile race. But once the chestnut colt made the final turn, he kicked into high gear, finishing the race in 1:35.65 ahead of second place Ride on Curlin and third place Social Inclusion.
Next for California Chrome is The Belmont Stakes on June 7, with a shot of becoming the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
“New York, here we come,” trainer Art Sherman said.
Race 13: Sir Sidney started out strong. But going around the final turn of the 6-furlong race, the horse experienced a little traffic, falling back to third. Luckily a late charge gave him and jockey Sheldon Russell the victory in the final race of the 2014 Preakness weekend.
Orlando Bocachica rode Nevsky to a second place finish and Julian Pimentel saddled Negrito for third.
The victory was Russell’s second of the day.
adodson@baltsun.com
thass@baltsun.com
twitter.com/dodgerthat
twitter.com/TrevorHass
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