4/3/09
Northern California’s local horse racing celebrity, Sam Spear, has seen many great races and met many interesting people in his long career. Because of Spear’s vast horse racing knowledge, but also his life experiences, the veteran television and radio host, has been dubbed “the Great Sam Spear” by KNBR sports talk host Gary Radnich. Although he knew Joe DiMaggio and recommended a $1.1 million dollar deal for M.C. Hammer to buy the Northern California filly Lite Light, he maintains an unassuming demeanor. He is the producer and host of one of the oldest continuing racing shows in America.
Case the Race:How did you get into horse racing?
Sam Spear: I started at Golden Gate Fields in 1977 in publicity. After one year, I started a television show that debuted on Labor Day 1978. It showed replays of the races, a sort of overview of the day’s races. I produce, host and sell advertisement for the show. The show airs on KTSF, a television station in San Francisco that reaches nearly three million homes in the Bay Area. This past Labor Day, I celebrated my 30th anniversary with television. It’s one of the oldest continuing racing shows in the country.
Case the Race:How would you describe the current state of Northern California racing?
Sam Spear: The current state of Northern California racing is that we are facing challenges throughout the state. Racetracks that have added slot machines have been able to bring in additional revenue which has helped support the purses for races. Because California does not allow slot machines at racetracks, it has hurt our competitiveness. The lower purses have caused breeders and owners to go elsewhere. There has been a decrease in the number of horses we have to fill races.
Recently at Golden Gate Fields, we’ve been fortunate. Despite the economy, attendance is up and we’re doing well. We’ve also expanded the number of racing days per year [at Golden Gate Fields] because of closing Bay Meadows. We’ve gone from 101-181 racing days.
Case the Race:What is the status of the Northern California Fairs?
Sam Spear: The Northern California Fairs is facing the same challenges with the competition to get horses to fill races. Especially now, because of the recession, it’s harder to get horses. People who buy horses generally do it with discretionary income. The challenge right now is to find and keep owners.
Case the Race:How have horsemen been talking about Golden Gate's Tapeta surface?
Sam Spear: The Tapeta surface put in a couple of years ago has been well-received by horsemen. We have been able to see a decline in fatalities throughout California with synthetic surfaces.
(Background information on California’s synthetic surfaces http://www.casetherace.com/articles/91.html)
Case the Race:Does the surface favor a particular running style?
Sam Spear: There are different surfaces at different racetracks in California: at Golden Gate, it’s Tapeta; Hollywood Park has Cushion Track; Del Mar has Polytrack; at Santa Anita the new track is Pro-Ride. I don’t know that I would say that they favor a particular running style. Like a regular dirt track, they have to be maintained. They change on a daily basis. At Golden Gate Fields, we have not seen a track bias.
(Learn about track conditions http://www.casetherace.com/articles/15.html)
Case the Race:What does Chocolate Candy need to do in the Santa Anita Derby in order to be sent to the Kentucky Derby?
Sam Spear: The goal is to send him to the Kentucky Derby. His connections will use the Santa Anita Derby to determine if he is worthy. If Chocolate Candy has a good showing - and by that I mean either a win or being close to the winner – then they might send him to the Derby.
Case the Race:Tell me about previous Northern California horses in the Derby?
Sam Spear: We ran second in the Kentucky Derby twice and third another time. We’ve had some good showings. In 1996, Cavonnier missed winning the Derby by a nose; Casual Lies ran second in 1992; Diabolo was third in 1975.
Case the Race:You have been described as a “racing personality.” What does it mean to be a racing personality?
Sam Spear: It means you’ve been around a long time. In addition to my television show, which runs 52 weeks per year or 205-260 shows a year, I also have a radio show that runs 52 weeks a year.
Case the Race:Was it hard to break into the business?
Sam Spear: Any time you try something like that, it’s difficult. I’ve been fortunate to make it through. If you can survive that initial start up, you will usually do okay after that.
Case the Race:You must have some great stories. Tell me about some of the highlights.
Sam Spear: I’ve seen some great horse races over the years. I’ve also met a number of celebrities. It was exciting watching Russell Baze when he surpassed Laffit Pincay Jr. to become the winningest jockey in North American history. To watch Lost in the Fog who won the Eclipse Award – to watch him in New York and Florida as well as here in the Bay Area – was a thrill. Some of the celebrities I’ve interviewed included John Forsythe, Jack Klugman, Mickey Rooney, and Telly Savalas. I’ve also enjoyed interviewing several Hall of Fame jockeys. I’ve met Johnny Longden, Bill Shoemaker, and Steve Cauthenalong with Russell Baze.
Case the Race:Any other thoughts to share?
Sam Spear: I still have the same passion as when I started. We’re looking forward to many more years of reporting about the races.
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Sam Spear is the owner of Sam Spear enterprises. His television show,
The Nightly Race Report, airs
Wednesdays through Fridays from 5:00 pm – 5:30 PM and on Sundays from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. http://www.ktsf.com/en/index.html He also hosts At the Track, a radio show on KNBR 680 on Saturday mornings from 7:00 -- 8:00 AM.
