Sports Fact of the Day 3/31/2007

3/31/1984:
Swale, a highly regarded son of Seattle Slew, wins the Florida Derby by three-fourths of a length over Dr. Carter at Gulfstream Park in suburban Miami. Despite the absence of trainer Woody Stephens, who is out of town at another race, and being ridden for the first time by Laffit Pincay Jr., Swale takes the lead midway through the mile-and-an-eighth test and never relaxes his advantage. He'll win two legs of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, before dying suddenly under mysterious circumstances only eight days after the Belmont.

Birthdays:
Gordie Howe b. 1928 (heh, I think of Never Been Kissed every time I hear his name)
Miller Barber b. 1931
Bob Pulford b. 1936
Tom Barrasso b. 1965
Pavel Buro b. 1971