Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 3/4/2009

3/4/1979:
Four-year-old Affirmed, Laffit Pincey Jr. up, captures the Santa Anita Handicap in a track record time of 1:58.6 for the mile-and-a-quarter distance. The 1978 Triple Crown winner, Affirmed wins by four and a half lengths over Tiller, delighting the 66,000 racing fans on hand for the running of the "Big Cap." Names Horse of the Year in 1978, Affirmed will repeat that honor this year by winning the last seven races of his career, including the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Woodward and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Birthdays:
Knute Rockne b. 1888
Dazzy Vance b. 1891
Margaret Osborne duPont b. 1918
"Badger Bob" Johnson b. 1931
Kevin Johnson b. 1966

Packers Fact:
Atari Bigby started at safety for the Amsterdam Admirals' team that reached NFL Europe's World Bowl in 2006.

WHAT’S UP IN STAY MORE?

In With, the latest in a sprawling, language-bending series that takes place in or around the Ozarks town of Stay More, Arkansas, an abducted child triumphs over all adversity. As she grows up alone and almost feral in the mountains after her kidnapper dies, she learns to communicate with animals and spirits and finally, against all odds, falls in love. Test the claim that Donald Harington is “one of the great undiscovered novelists of our time” (Publishers Weekly).

WITH, by Donald Harington (Toby Press, 2004)

On We'll Go For Two Weeks in Philadelphia Instead:

First Prize: One Week's Free Membership

Second Prize: One Month's Free Membership

mailer for the White Rock Athletics Club, Dallas, Texas (thanks to Stephanie Hamilton)

A STRANGE INVENTION

THE DADDY NURSER

For millions of years, mothers have enjoyed bonding with their babies through the experience of nursing. Now Dad can finally feel the joy of breast-feeding, too. Twin breast-shaped bottles attach to a harness that the father wears like a brassiere. Fill them with formula or breast milk and let the bonding begin.

HOW DO THEY KNOW? SCIENTISTS SAY BUTTERFLIES SEE IN SHADES OF GREEN, RED, AND YELLOW.

THE BATHS

VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, LESSER ANTILLES

At the Baths, the most noted natural site on Virgin Gorda, huge, time-sculpted granite boulders—some as big as small houses—create spellbinding pools, shallow coves, and interconnected grottoes that are heaven for snorkelers and swimmers.