TV Stars Show True Colors at Track

It was in August of 1980 that I met two prominent actors - Jack Klugman and Telly Savalas - in Belmont Park's winners' circle.

Klugman at the time was starring as the medical examiner in the long-running TV series Quincy. Savalas was the lead detective in the show Kojak. Both were at Belmont to root for Jaklin Klugman in the day's featured $112,000 Jerome Handicap.

The Klugman colt proved an easy winner in the 1-mile race, which he completed in 1:34.2 - only a fifth of a second off the record. Jaklin had gone to the post as the $3.60-for-$2 favorite.

I was particularly interested in Jaklin's showing. In May of that year, he had finished third in the Kentucky Derby. It was unusual for a well-known show-business personality to have a horse thrive in his colors and to be a top contender in the Louisville classic.

Indeed, this 3-year-old son of Orbit Ruler, a 7-to-1 shot, had looked like a potential Derby winner in the early stretch of the race. But the Klugman entry was unable to sustain his bid and finished third, only two lengths astern of winner Genuine Risk.

I asked Klugman that day in the Belmont Park winners' circle about Jaklin's performance in the Derby.

He smiled and said, "If he had won, it would have given me the thrill of a lifetime. As those horses moved through that stretch, I thought he might do so."

It was evident in our meeting that the TV star had become a highly enthused thoroughbred owner. He had arrived in New York from California two days before the running of the Jerome to watch his Jaklin in a workout. Now he was delighted about his horse's success.

Immediately after that race, I had left the press box and headed for the winners' circle to speak with Klugman. I was surprised to find Savalas, a sports enthusiast, also there. Well known for his gambling instincts, Savalas was close friends with Klugman. They had watched the Jerome together from a finish line box.

"This is turning out to be a busy weekend for me," said Klugman, after winning his trophy. "Tonight I'll be flying back to the coast. I want to be at the Del Mar track in California to see Jaklin's brother, Jac's Promise, race for the first time."

"Before the actors' current Guild strike started a few weeks ago, I shot four episodes of Quincy so I could take time out to come for this race. I considered it a must. After all, I see Jaklin run even when I'm asleep - in my dreams."

As Klugman and Savalas were leaving, the latter stopped to ask me, "For whom do you write sports?"

The New York Times, I told him.

"Boy!" was his reply. "Would I like to trade jobs with you."

As you can see, I turned him down.