Whiting seeks another Run for the Roses
Horseracing Betting Lines
02/09/2012 - Hot Springs, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's been 20 years since trainer Lynn Whiting saddled longshot colt Lil E. Tee to win the 118th Kentucky Derby. The Midwest conditioner has another three-year-old in his stable at Oaklawn Park giving Whiting a chance at the 138th Run for the Roses.
Lightly raced Cyber Secret is owned by Charles Cella who happens to own the Arkansas track. The colt has just four starts on his resume with a possible start in the track's Southwest Stakes on February 20.
"He still has a lot to prove before we get too pumped up," Whiting said. "He ran big the other day, but it's on him now to move forward while being a young horse that's still learning the game. As a friend of mine once said 'he can't call his momma. He's got to do it himself.'"
Cyber Secret posted a 5 1/4-length wire-to-wire victory last week in an allowance race as the 2-1 second choice in a six-horse field. The rebound win came three weeks after a deflating ninth in a similar race as the 3-1 second pick.
"You have to feel really good about the effort," said Whiting on the win and schooled Cyber Secret in the starting gate after the January loss. "It is some vindication after he had so many problems in his last race. We know we can pretty much toss it out.
"He's still a young horse with something to prove. Times have changed, but sometimes with these Derby horses guys tend to over-do it a bit."
Cyber Secret began his career with a win at Belmont Park last October, but failed in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes when he finished seventh in the 11-horse field. He was previously trained by Bret Calhoun for Silverton Hill Farm.
The $250,000 Southwest Stakes is expected to feature Smarty Jones winner Junebugred and runner-up Reckless Jerry. The President's Day feature will be just 16 days after Cyber Secret's last race.
"With such a particularly strong program of three-year-old races, it feels like he proved he deserves that shot," said Whiting Wednesday morning. "There won't be too many other opportunities if we don't get involved now.
"We only had two weeks between the Arkansas Derby and the Kentucky Derby with Lil E. Tee and I worked him a half-mile a couple days before the (Derby). Even then I could have just let him gallop up to it. We tend to overtrain now."
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Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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