Columnist Jeff Haney: Newly renovated book ready for Breeders’ Cup

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000 | 10:30 a.m.

Jeff Haney's sports betting column appears Wednesday. Reach him at 259-4041 or haney@vegas.com

Micah Roberts chose a fine time to get back into the horse racing game.

After keeping a close eye on the ponies during the five years he spent at the Circus Circus race and sports book, Roberts drifted away from the "sport of kings" when he was named sports book director at the Wild Wild West, which doesn't have a race book.

Fast forward to this week.

Roberts, in his new position as race and sports book director at Santa Fe Station, is about to dive back into the horse racing scene with a flourish.

Santa Fe Station, on Rancho Drive at U.S. 95, plans a blowout Saturday for the one-day horse racing binge known as the Breeders' Cup Championship.

"We're definitely expecting a packed house in here," Roberts said at his newly renovated book. "We have 100 seats right in front of the counter, plus extra seating at the sports bar and in the lounge for a total of 400-500 people. Of course we'll have all the (betting) windows open."

Roberts said Station Casinos, which recently acquired the Santa Fe and attached a "Station" to its former name, went the extra mile by purchasing the rights to place the official Breeders' Cup logo on its promotional T-shirts.

The shirts, which also feature a Santa Fe Station emblem, will be given away while they last with any $50 wager on the Breeders' Cup.

Even after Breeders' Cup day, Roberts plans to make Santa Fe Station's book -- which officially reopened Friday -- a vital part of the city's sports betting circuit.

"Our goal is to win over every guest in the city by being the friendliest race and sports book in town," said Roberts, a UNLV grad.

As he did while at Wild Wild West, Roberts will continue to provide auto racing odds for all Station properties. Thanks to Roberts, who has earned a reputation as the city's top motor sports oddsmaker, Station books offer lines on seven major auto racing series.

"We've gotten an unbelievable amount of exposure," Roberts said. "Tracks from all over the country are always e-mailing me wanting odds on their races."

Here's a look back at some of the more dramatic moves in the Bally's/Paris futures book, which closed today with the Breeders' Cup draw:

Distaff: Riboletta, the nation's top older female, was bet from an opening price of 25-1 to even money.

Juvenile: A.P. Valentine of Rick Pitino's Celtic Pride Stables was bet from 18-1 to 3-1.

Turf: Irish star Manndar was bet from 10-1 to 4-1.

Sprint: More Than Ready, a highly regarded 3-year-old, was bet from 50-1 to 6-1.

Filly & Mare Turf: European standout Petrushka was bet from 20-1 to 3-1.

Juvenile Fillies: She's a Devil Due, impressive in a recent victory at Keeneland, was bet from 40-1 to 6-1.

Mile: War Chant, who won the Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita with Gary Stevens aboard, was bet from 60-1 to 4-1.

Classic: Favored Fusaichi Pegasus, who opened at 40-1 well before his Kentucky Derby victory, was bet to 8-5. In a later move, Tiznow was bet from 30-1 to 4-1.

Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., hosts Saturday's 17th Breeders' Cup. NBC (Ch. 3) will televise beginning at 10 a.m.

The Sun is following Hensgen's progress in the contest, which carries a $1,500 entry fee and a top prize this year of approximately $114,000.

Tennessee's special teams play hurt Hensgen Monday night, as he had the Redskins minus 3 1/2 as one of his selections. The Titans recorded a 27-21 upset.

"It was a tough month for The Game," Hensgen said. "Week 9 culminated with a disappointing 2-3 as Washington gifted the Titans 17 points and failed (to cover). In the scheme of things, though, this kind of frustration is minimal compared to what (Redskins owner) Dan Snyder is probably feeling.

"For the second straight week, Hilton players had the opportunity to advance on contest leaders, who also had disappointing weeks," Hensgen said, pointing out that two of the top seven entrants went 2-3 and four went 3-2.

Among Hensgen's five NFL selections this week will be the Baltimore Ravens (laying 5 1/2 points against Cincinnati) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (laying a touchdown against Atlanta).

In the Stardust Invitational, Brent Crow (4-3) ousted Larry Ness (3-4). At 9 p.m. Friday, "Big Ten Doc" of Doc's Sports takes on Robert Walker, race and sports book director for MGM-MIRAGE, in the tournament's final first-round matchup. ...

In the Don Best tournament ($15,000 prize), New York-based Richard Witt (4-3) edged local handicapper Andy Iskoe (3-4). This week's program airs at 4 p.m. Thursday on KRLV 1340-AM.