Dying for Sport?

By Dana Gentry

Thursday, May 8, 2008 | 2:40 p.m.

My father was a gambler. Whether it was a horse race or the sheriff's race, he always had a bet. Every August he'd take us out of the oppressive Las Vegas heat to the even more oppressive heat and humidity of New York City... and eventually, thankfully, on to the Catskills, the lush mountains where the movie "Dirty Dancing" was set.

Every night, after a Kosher meal at one of the Catskills' Jewish resorts, we'd head to the Monticello Race Track for the best chocolate layer cake east of the Mississippi (Caesars Palace had the best in the west) and the trotters. I loved the crackle of anticipation in the air as the announcer's voice came over the speaker:

"Theeeey're at the head of the stretch. Theeeey're at the gate. HEEEEERE THEY COME."

But sometimes, before the race began, the voice on the speaker would announce the horses that had "scratched." To me and my dad, it meant we couldn't bet on that number. What I didn't realize then, and what millions of casual racing fans viewing Saturday's Kentucky Derby probably didn't know, is that horses "scratch" all the time.

One of the things Jon does best on Face to Face is speak for those with no voice, as is truly the case on tonight's program. Our guests include Bernie Schiappa, a partner with Terry Lanni in a horse running in this weekend's Lonestar Derby. Schiappa compared Eight Belles' very public demise to Monday Night Football viewers watching Joe Theisman break his ankle. I think Theisman had a little more say in whether he wanted to play the game.

Also on the program is Jill Curtis, who rescues former race horses otherwise destined for the slaughterhouse. Curtis brought along her actor/artist husband, Tony, for the taping. He's helped around by a wheelchair, but that didn't stop him from charming every lady in his path.

Tomorrow-

The Health District confirms what we've feared for the last two months... that more than just a handful of people may be victims of the unthinkable practices at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada. We'll get an update from chief epidemiologist Brian Labus and chief health officer Dr. Larry Sands.