Talking Sports: Time for the state track meet, but wasn't it just fall?

Wasn't it just a few days ago that state basketball concluded in Lincoln? Well, it sure seems like it. Especially when you look outside and see a blinding snow storm.

It's hard to believe Nebraska state track is just hours away and opening day for the American Legion baseball program is just days away. The Red/Black scrimmage at Legion Park Thursday night at 6 is just a taste of what's to come. Opening day is this Sunday at Legion Field with a junior/senior doubleheader against McCook. The juniors open the action at 1 p.m. with the seniors to follow at about 3:30.

Coincidentally, I ran into Colton Onstott's mother, Michelle, at the store yesterday. The Legion is going to miss Colton's bat and defensive presence behind the plate this season. He's moved to Cheyenne where he's playing in a league with an 80-game schedule. In August, he's headed to play college ball in Dodge City, Kan. I guess they'll be a new sheriff in town – move over Matt Dillon.

State track starts Friday, and let's hope the weather holds out. The weather man was calling for a 60 percent chance of rain on Saturday a few days ago. The chance of rain was then reduced to 50 percent, and this morning it's down to 40. At least it's going in the right direction. Friday, so far, is looking cloudy all day with no rain expected.

If it rains too much, I'm told the pole vault and high jump will move to the indoor facility at Boys Town. I don't suppose Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney or Peewee are at Boys Town anymore.

I don't know that there is anything I could add to our state track preview from Wednesday, except good luck to all. And best of luck also to Creek Valley High School sophomore Brett Godfrey who qualified for the Class D state golf tournament. He showed steady improvement throughout the course of the season and finished with his best round of the year amid the pressure of districts.

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I'm not sure if anyone around here is too interested in horse racing. But whenever there is a Triple Crown threat, interest seems to pick up in many corners. American Pharaoh came from off the pace from a tough outside post position to win the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

Two weeks later, he solved the problem of being stuck on the rail by going to the lead and holding it for a wire-to-wire victory in the Preakness Stakes. American Pharaoh looks like a real monster. But horses often look like monsters after winning the first two legs of the crown.

The Belmont is always the biggest hurdle to overcome in winning the triple crown. Since Affirmed won the last Triple Crown in 1978, 12 horses have won the first two legs and failed to win the Belmont. But I think American Pharaoh is the one to finally break the 37-year Triple Crown drought ... Of course I thought that about Smarty Jones in '04.

We'll also have to see what kind of long-distance specialists are entered for the big race in just over two weeks. I wonder if New York based trainer Nick Zito has anything up his sleeve. He ruined the "Smarty Party" 11 years ago with long shot Birdstone.

The Belmont, run on the biggest track in America, is the longest of the three races at 12 furlongs. One lap around "Big Sandy" is a grueling test for a thoroughbred, especially just three weeks after the Preakness and five weeks after the Derby. For the gamblers, it won't be a very appealing prospect should Pharaoh win. A victory will likely return less than 50 cents on the dollar unless you can catch a few long shots in an exotic wager.

Anyway, I hope American Pharaoh wins. I want to see the streak broken. I don't like it when I hear rumblings that the Triple Crown races will be broken up because it's too tough. Of course it's tough. So is the triple crown in baseball. But think of all the interest in horse racing whenever the Triple Crown is threatened. It's about the only time there is genuine interest from the multitudes in horse racing. Seems like bad business to break that up.

Theres's nothing more exciting in sports to me than the big game, the big heavyweight fight or the big horse race. I hope the powers that be in horse racing are never stupid enough to deny the public the big race. Go Pharaoh.