Was Jack happy at the track? You bet

Jack Klugman, the beloved actor who portrayed sloppy sports writer Oscar Madison on the 1970s hit television series "The Odd Couple," had a real-life love for horses and horse racing.

Klugman, who died Monday at age 90, had a thrill most racehorse owners can only dream about when his 3-year-old colt Jaklin Klugman ran in the 1980 Kentucky Derby. And while the horse didn't make it to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs, finishing third to Genuine Risk, his owner stayed in the game for many years to come.

Klugman co-owned three horses with Southern California trainer Barry Abrams at the time of his death and was still getting out to the track until failing health began keeping him away.

"He just loved being at the track," Abrams told the Los Angeles Times. "He comes, makes bets and sits all day. That was his life - horses and show business."

However, art didn't imitate life in this instance. Oscar Madison never had a winning day at the track.

■ SANCHEZ ON SALE - Can it get any worse for Mark Sanchez?

The answer is yes. The New York Jets quarterback has lost his starting job, and now, his No. 6 jersey has dramatically decreased in value. A Sanchez Jets jersey reportedly is on sale in some stores in New York for just $10. Two weeks ago, that same jersey was selling for $79.99.

With Sanchez rumored to be on his way out, the fire sale has begun. Of course, some Jets fans beat the retailers to the punch by burning their Sanchez jerseys in the parking lots surrounding Met Life Stadium at the Meadowlands.

■ ANTI-GRINCH - Don't ever call Antone Exum a Grinch.

The Virginia Tech cornerback was a not-so-secret Santa after befriending three youngsters from the Bahamas at a Florida Best Buy and treating them to Christmas gifts with a $470 gift card from the store he received for participating in Friday's Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

Exum posted this message on his Twitter account: "Spent my $470 Dollar Best Buy Gift Card From The Bowl Game on These Three Kids I Met from Bahamas I Met In The Store!! Made Their Christmas!!"

It was a nice gesture, considering most players would either sell the swag or keep it for themselves. Once in a while, a player will pick out something for his mom or his grandmother and give the gift as a Christmas present.

Maybe Exum's gesture will bring some good karma to the Hokies when they meet Rutgers on Friday. It certainly can't hurt.

■ THAT'S NOT KOSHER - The Brooklyn Nets tried catering to their Jewish season-ticket fan base on Christmas Day with a glatt kosher buffet at the Barclays Center. Considering the way the Nets (14-13) have played lately, particularly their no-show in a 93-76 loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, maybe getting a rabbi to oversee the food isn't the problem. Perhaps some spiritual assistance in the locker room is needed.

COMPILED BY STEVE CARP LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL