Jim Price

Sports

A jockey’s odyssey

Tue., May 15, 2012

While mathemat- icians might be tempted to disagree, Akifumi Kato continues to demonstrate that the shortest distance between two points is not always a straight line. Those who remember horse racing in Spokane, remember Playfair Race Course. And those who remember Playfair, probably recall Kato, the jockey who, strictly speaking, became the most successful rider in the annals of the ill-fated historic track. Playfair may be defunct. Kato is not.

Sports

Funeral mass held for horseman, cattle mogul Jim Seabeck

Sat., March 19, 2011

For the obvious reasons, it’s hard to draw a big crowd when you’re 98 years old. But Jim Seabeck, thoroughbred breeder, owner, occasional trainer and regional livestock mogul, attracted nearly 200 people and a horse to his funeral mass Friday in St. Augustine Catholic Church. His rich, full, adventure-packed life came to an end March 9 in Spokane, his home since 1964.

Sports

Local baseball icon Aden dies

Mon., July 14, 2008

Once upon a time, it was said that Dwight Aden had never dropped a fly ball. Even though almost never would be more accurate and more than 60 years have passed since he roamed center field for the Spokane Indians, Aden’s reputation outlives him as one of the finest athletes in the city’s professional baseball history.

Sports

Last survivor of bus crash dies at 87

Tue., Oct. 16, 2007

The passage of time has concluded the living history of the ill-fated 1946 Spokane Indians baseball team. Former pitcher Darwin "Gus" Hallbourg died of a heart attack Saturday night in a care center near Modesto, Calif. Hallbourg, 87, developed pneumonia after a minor stroke in late September. A resident of nearby Manteca, he was the last survivor of the worst accident in American professional sports history.

Sports

Northwest star Vanni dies at 89

Wed., May 2, 2007

Edo Vanni, Northwest minor league baseball's most memorable showman and one of its finest players, has died at the age of 89. The feisty former outfielder, who authored some of his finest seasons and nuttiest pranks while playing for the Spokane Indians, died Monday in a Bellevue care center. Services have been scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. in Seattle's St. Catherine of Siena Church. Vanni was the last of the original Seattle Rainiers.

Sports

Former Indian Pete Jonas dead at 89

Tue., Oct. 4, 2005

Pete Jonas, among the enduring figures in the history of Northwest minor-league baseball, died Saturday in Spokane, but not before building a legacy of on-field accomplishments, amusing anecdotes and community service. Born Wilfred R. Jonas in Walla Walla, the pitcher-outfielder was among the oldest surviving players from the Western International League (1937-52) and the second oldest living former Spokane Indians player. He was 89.

Sports

Get A Hunch, Bet A Bunch

Mon., Nov. 17, 1997

Reflections on closing day: This year's fall season has been distinguished by a few things, not the least of which has been Playfair's ability to complete it, usually with full fields. Racing cards as television programs first and local entertainment second remain a foreign concept to some, but they are a sign of the times. It has seemed odd to run a meet without the historic stakes races and annoying to find second choices winning more often than the top picks in this space. Losing $15 per day isn't so bad, but it still puts a dent in your wallet. In honor of the season's frustrations, let's bet $5 savers to win on every second choice tonight. Here are today's selections: SECOND: $5 exacta box and $1 trifecta box of BAILEE BROWN, MESSAGEFORTHENURSE and COUNTRY MANIA ($36).

Sports

Get A Hunch, Bet A Bunch

Sun., Nov. 16, 1997

Here we are, down to closing weekend, stuck more than a few bucks. Let's go for the gusto, hoping a few horses show up in the right spot at the right time.

Sports

Get A Hunch, Bet A Bunch

Mon., Nov. 10, 1997

Let's face it. There's no logical reason Rock'n Boy keeps winning, but it's time to quit betting against him. His background suggests cheap speed, good cheap speed, but cheap nonetheless. Now, he's won all six thoroughbred starts this year and has paid generous prices. He probably won't be favored in tonight's fifth race, either. The truth is, at age 5, he may just be finding himself. How else do you explain his march through the claiming ranks, winning under jockeys who seldom win and beating horses with better lines? He even runs well in the mud. So does Sir Tiger K., but that late bloomer has been off for seven weeks.

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