Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1105396
C O N S T E L L A T I O N C O N S T E L L A T I O N WinStarFarm.com A Golden Voice 46 When Tom Hammond was in your living room, you wanted to listen because he made you listen. A big part of Tom Hammond and his legacy is he made every show he was part of better and feel bigger. Rob Hyland " " Hammond interviewing Pat Day after the 1984 Breeders' Cup Classic at Hollywood Park. John Gaines, who had built Gainesway Farm into a major player, was among those impressed by Hammond's many abilities. Gaines often compared notes with Hammond as he nurtured the idea of creating a season-ending championship event for a sport that badly needed buzz once the thrill of the Triple Crown races was gone. The inaugural Breeders' Cup World Championships were broadcast by NBC from old Hollywood Park in 1984. Based on recommendations from Gaines and famed broadcaster Dick Enberg, Hammond was among the announcers the network hired for the event as a one-shot deal. Not surprisingly, Hammond seized the opportunity during the most fortuitous week of his life. When favored Slew O' Gold developed a foot issue that required a patch, Hammond rushed to attend a 5 a.m. workout on short notice. He was waiting at trackside to interview jockey Angel Cordero, Jr., who informed fans that Slew O' Gold performed just fine with the patch. Although Horse of the Year candidate John Henry was sidelined with an injury, Hammond thought to set up a television monitor outside his stall so the great gelding could "watch" the Classic. As Hammond was preparing for a segment about John Henry, a dozen roses from a fan of the horse were delivered. When Hammond went on the air, clutching the roses in one hand and the microphone in the other, John Henry poked his head out and began munching on the roses to the delight of viewers. Hammond overcame stiff resistance from at least one colleague when he suggested that air time be devoted to Wild Again, an improbable longshot that had run third in a turf allowance race at Bay Meadows only two weeks before. When owner Bill Allen of Black Chip Stable was asked why he would supplement Wild Again for the grand sum of $360,000, Allen told Hammond he was risking even more by betting heavily on his horse. Just then, Wild Again, in the background, began tossing his head, seemingly in approval of the faith invested in him. When 31-1 Wild Again and jockey Pat Day prevailed in a wild and rough stretch run that prompted a stewards' inquiry, Hammond watched trackside since his broadcasting duties for the day were supposed to be over. Day knew Hammond well from their time together in Kentucky and approached him to tell his side of the story. NBC suddenly had an interview that could not have been more timely. After Wild Again was declared the winner, Gaines raced to Hammond to hug him. He knew he had struck gold with the Breeders' Cup concept. That f irst edition would forever change the sport—and Hammond's life. He was approached by Michael Weisman, then executive producer of NBC Sports, soon after the show went off the air. "Well, until this week, we didn't know we had a broadcaster on our hands," Weisman told him. "Would you be interested in doing other things for NBC Sports, starting with NFL football?" Other than expressions of love from Sheilagh, his wife of 51 years, sweeter words were never spoken to Hammond. Breeders' Cup photo