By Jeff Apel
sports.desk@theindependent.com

Weather permitting, clocked workouts will beginon Fridayat theGrand Island track. Anderson's return toa second-storyclocker's stand means opening day of a 35-day horse meeeting that begins on Feb. 15 is fast approaching.

"It gets pretty tough especially here in the spring because there's a lot of times we get 150 or more horses that work," Anderson said. "You're trying to write down the names, the distance, and the trainer and then watch for them as they go around at thesame time."

The clocker's stand is located on the backstretch of the main track. Anderson will start out timing horses himself, then will be joined by Dan Beck, who is also a retired rider.

"It's not an exact science," Anderson said. "But those works are awful close.

"Dan has rode enough and I rode enough we know when a horse is working good just by watching. We don't even need to look at the watch."

Three stopwatches will helpAnderson record workouts that typically range in distance from three to six furlongs. Horses working typically run one furlong , or an eighth of a mile, in around 12 seconds.

Anderson said he rarely misses a workout, even when the track is full of horses that don't need to be timed.

"There is a chance," Anderson said. "But usually you'll catch them working. You'll see them.

"It might be at the quarter pole. You can put your watch on them at the quarter pole and add 12 seconds for a three-eighths work. You'll be within a fifth of a second or two."

Riders and trainers are expected to provide Anderson with the name of each horse working, and the distance the work will be. Trainers with their own watches often join Anderson in the clocker's stand, and are quick to question the final time if they feel it is not correct.

"They might say, 'Are you sure they worked that slow?' or 'Are you sure they worked that fast?'" Anderson said. "Most of the time they don't argue about it."

Horses working at a moderate pace breeze. Those that are all out work handily.

Anderson marks down almost all works as breezes, unless horses are working in company of another horse.

"It's hard to say if they're all out," Anderson said. "Actually, you'd have to be in company and the rider driving as hard as they could.

"A rider that is getting after a horse by himself that's still not all out.They don't work as hard by themselves as they do in competition."

Return of the king?

Don't expect to see Leaping Plum leading the post parade when this year's edition of the $10,000-added Grasmick Stakes is run on February 23.

A career earner of $371,585 The Plum established himself as one of Fonner Park's all-time great Thoroughbreds by winning the Grasmick eight times, including seven-consecutive victories from 1995 to 2001. Since retiring from racing in 2004, Leaping Plum has lived at a ranch in Brookings, South Dakota, owned by Dale Miskimins. Miskimins' brother, Paul, co-owned theLightning Leap gelding along with Paul Miskimins.

Trainer Joe Moss isn't ready to bring Leaping Plum out of retirement and back to the track.

"We absolutely never gave it a consideration because I'd have toclean him up," Moss said. "That's kind of tough on him."

Moss said another trip to the track wouldn't bother Leaping Plum, who rarely showed any signs of nerves before racing.

"He was always a pet," Moss said. "The only time it bothered him was coming off the track if he saw another horse. He posed. He was king."

Moss said the 17-year-old Leaping Plum appears to be enjoying retirment.

"He's doing quite well," the trainer said. "They told me he's fat and sassy and in good health. He's just the normal Plum."

Thinking ahead

Don Frazier, a 31-year riding veteran who is two wins away of earning career victory number 2,000, realizes he may be reaching the stretch run of his jockey career.

"I just turned 48," Frazier said. "I don't know how many years I am going to have to ride.

"I still enjoy my job. It's the greatest thing in the world being out there on a horse and making split decisions."

Radio report

Race Day Weekly, a Saturday program heard throughout the Fonner meet on KRGI (1430 AM), returns for its fourth season this year.

The program features interviews with local racing personalities, as well as details and analysis of important national news onthe horse racing scene.

Former KSYZ on-air personality Mark Saldecki will replace Jason Dannelly as the host of this year's program, which has a weekly post time of 1 p.m.The program concludes after the last live race is run at the Grand Island track each Saturday.

Super prediction

Channing Hill, a Columbus native who is a New York-based jockey, thinks the New England Patriots will make history by concluding a perfect 19-0 season with a 28-0 win against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday.

The Patriots, behind big plays by quarterback Tom Brady and receiver Randy Moss, overcame a 12-point deficit and rallied to beat the Giants 38-35 during the final game of the regular season. The Giants are 12-point underdogs in the rematch, which will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

"I think the Patriots are the best team in the NFL," Hill said. "They've already beaten them once, they have Super Bowl experience, they have a quarterback who can handle the pressure, and I think Randy Moss is going to have a huge game."