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Post by trackrat on Oct 26, 2008 19:06:01 GMT -5
Had the opportunity to sit in front of Chuck Fridrich of Parma on Friday night in the grandstands. Although I don't know him personally (and I did not take the opportunity to introduce myself), he is the owner of American Thighs, JohnyisaJohnny and Sparky and he uses veteran trainer Don Clifford. American Thighs won at 14-1 on Friday night, but Chuck only had $2 across the board on him. [The Trackrat had $5 to win].
When I got home from the races, I googled Chuck's name and came upon an article detailing how he had claimed Sparky for $10,000 in his last race in 2006. The article alluded to Chuck as "The Professor".
Keith, do you know this trainer and why is he called The Professor? I know he sits there with a big spiral notebook, a handful of different colored high-liters and a stack of programs every Friday night... is he called The Professor because of his studius manners or was he really a professor?
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Post by thegiss on Oct 28, 2008 12:33:47 GMT -5
Had the opportunity to sit in front of Chuck Fridrich of Parma on Friday night in the grandstands. Although I don't know him personally (and I did not take the opportunity to introduce myself), he is the owner of American Thighs, JohnyisaJohnny and Sparky and he uses veteran trainer Don Clifford. American Thighs won at 14-1 on Friday night, but Chuck only had $2 across the board on him. [The Trackrat had $5 to win]. When I got home from the races, I googled Chuck's name and came upon an article detailing how he had claimed Sparky for $10,000 in his last race in 2006. The article alluded to Chuck as "The Professor".Keith, do you know this trainer and why is he called The Professor? I know he sits there with a big spiral notebook, a handful of different colored high-liters and a stack of programs every Friday night... is he called The Professor because of his studius manners or was he really a professor? Chuck is a great guy and a true student of the game-- very knowledgeable, at times opinionated, but the kind of guy whose handshake is good. I believe he owns a bicycle shop and has been involved with horse ownershop for many years.
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Post by trackrat on Oct 28, 2008 14:21:42 GMT -5
Chuck does seem very knowledgeable. Another guy sitting next to him pumped him for information all night. Chuck was saying that there are owners at Northfield who will not accept $100K for their horse, but will turn around and race that horse in a $3k claimer.
If it's the same Chuck Fridrich, his bike shop is at 3800 Lorain. I've actually bought a few children's bikes from his place. They've been there forever. Not too far from St. Ignatius High School.
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Post by chris on Oct 28, 2008 15:23:53 GMT -5
Bought a few bikes myself there a few years ago. Very close to the old Alma Mater.
Was the bike shoppe ever located on Bridge Ave and then the had to move onto Lorain? I remember a fire that destroyed some type of bike shoppe in that area, but the 70's are just a blurr ;D
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Post by racefanmike on Oct 30, 2008 6:54:10 GMT -5
Didn't Chuck also fill in to call the races in the past. 1980's 1990's. Always has his programs marked up with different highlighter colors?
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