Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 11/10/2007

11/10/1984:
The Breeders' Cup debuts at Hollywood Park in suburban Los Angeles, and more than 64,000 fans see a pair of colossal upsets in the two richest races of the inaugural program. Lashkari, at 53-1, upsets 1983 Horse of the Year All Along in the $2 million Turf race, and Wild Again (31-1) upsets Gate Dancer and Slew o' Gold in the $3 million Classic. Becoming an immediate fixture on the racing calendar, the Breeders' Cup will be eagerly sought by prominent tracks across America.

Birthdays:
Norm Cash b. 1934
Jack Clark b. 1955
Mike Powell b. 1963
Isaac Bruce b. 1972
Shawn Green b. 1972

“Every one soon or late comes round by Rome.”—Robert Browning

Rome is not usually the first stop on most Americans’ travel agendas, but Epstein can’t understand why. He revels in the Eternal City’s sensuality, its drama, its pace, and everything else about it. Meet the people, tour the places, eat the food, and drink in the lifestyle (not to mention the wine) of the city with an amiable and perceptive tour guide.

AS THE ROMANS DO: AN AMERICAN FAMILY’S ITALIAN ODYSSEY, by Alan Epstein (HarperPerennial, 2001)