Best seat for American Pharoah’s win goes to Schiappa
Bernie Schiappa had one of the best seats for horse racing’s first Triple Crown in 37 years.
He was seated next to American Pharoah’s trainer, Bob Baffert — “my best friend” — in the owners box at Belmont Park on Saturday.
Nothing, said Schiappa, compares to what he experienced when a deafening roar went up from the crowd of 90,000 as America Pharoah thundered down the stretch, in command and chasing history.
“Tears come down your face when you love the sport. It was something I’ve never heard before,” said Schiappa, longtime general manager at Fletcher Jones Mercedes Benz before retiring about five years ago.
Baffert has trained about 20 horses owned by Schiappa, whose racing partners included the late Terry Lanni, MGM Mirage chairman of the board and chief executive of MGM Mirage, and Joe Torre, former manager of the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.
“This was something really special,” said Schiappa, who has been on the road for over a month with Baffert and American Pharoah during the history-making run.
It was the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. There have been just 12.
Adding to the emotional day: Schiappa grew up in nearby New Jersey. As a kid, he caddied for several Brooklyn Dodgers players, including Duke Snider, Don Newcombe and Junior Gilliam.
“I don’t think any sports finish has been that loud,” he said.
Las Vegas sports books also experienced unprecedented loud crowds.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. We were at full capacity and everyone in the room was standing. Ninety-nine percent of the people were cheering for a Triple Crown winner,” said Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations at Wynn Las Vegas.
It was a chaotic scene at the Westgate.
“It was one of the most electric moments I’ve experienced in my 28 years (in sports books),” said Jay Kornegay, the hotel’s vice president of race and sports.
The crowd reaction “was like a last-second Super Bowl win,” he said. “I really wish I had filmed it. Strangers high-fiving strangers.”
Avello and Kornegay said a good number of bettors plunked down $2 just to brag they had a Triple Crown ticket.
American Pharoah’s name was only on tickets issued at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, “but it was still a great souvenir,” said Kornegay, who said he was so busy he forgot to bet.
SERENADE FOR SIEGFRIED
Illusionist Siegfried Fischbacher will receive a “Happy Birthday” serenade on Saturday — his 75th birthday — at the Keep Memory Alive Power of Love benefit at the MGM Grand Garden.
He and his longtime magic-show partner, Roy Horn, will be on the red carpet at the event, which honors the guests of honor, Andrea and Veronica Bocelli.
Also expected on the red carpet: Grammy Award-winning recording artists Quincy Jones, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and George Benson, Sharon Stone, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in “Casino,” 2014 honoree Gloria Estefan, country singer Martina McBride, Westgate headliner Suzanne Somers, Steve Schirripa of “The Sopranos,” celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, country legend Kris Kristofferson and jazz vocalist Clint Holmes.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
The 18-year-old daughter of Westgate Resorts owner, David A. Siegel, died Saturday after being found unresponsive at the family mansion in Orlando, Fla. Victoria Siegel was the second-oldest of the family’s eight children. Her father, 80, added the former Las Vegas Hilton to his time-share empire a year ago and changed the name to Westgate. …
Caitlyn Jenner not only set a Twitter record last week for the fastest time to reach 1 million followers (four hours and three minutes) but will have 3 million in one week. The former Bruce Jenner had 2.8 million by Sunday evening. …
Lounge legend Cook E. Jarr is returning to the stage June 15 after a 10-month hiatus. Scott Roeben of VitalVegas.com broke the news that Jarr will start a new gig at Napoleon’s Lounge at Paris Las Vegas from 6-8 p.m.
THE PUNCH LINE
“The Christmas-themed town of North Pole, Alaska, has officially approved marijuana dispensaries. So don’t expect your presents from Santa until next April. Santa will be showing up with Rudolph the Red-Eyed Reindeer.” — Conan O’Brien
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more at www.normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter. He also appears on KTNV-Channel 13’s “Morning Blend” on Thursdays.
