Arlington winner a big hit with White Sox connections

Several members of the Chicago White Sox organization had reason to cheer before Friday night's win on the road in Kansas City. The Sox' 9-4 over the Royals reduced their magic number to 7, but earlier in the day they celebrated a triumph in a different sport.

A thoroughbred filly, part of a young partnership involving former and current White Sox representatives, captured the second half of Friday afternoon's Daily Double at Arlington Park. Hit 'N Run Stable's Halo and Goodbye split rivals in the late stages of Arlington's second race to win it by head and return $17.60 for a $2 wager, allowing a pre-game celebration in the visitor's clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium.

"They were watching the race in Kansas City in the visitor's clubhouse," said Equibase chart caller Jim Miller, who co-owns the filly with Hit 'N Run. "After she found that opening between the leaders and shot through to get up at the wire they were all going crazy."

In its current format, Hit 'N Run Stable consists of Miller's neighbor Brian Ball, an assistant trainer for the White Sox; Kevin Hickey, a former pitcher for both the White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles; Mike Gellinger, the White Sox computer scouting analyst along with his father Terry; and Ed Cassin, manager of White Sox team travel.

Miller, who called the chart of Halo and Goodbye's race in the press box at Arlington before bounding down to the winner's circle for post-race ceremonies, is a former pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

"Maybe this filly's win will encourage the Sox to perform well between now and the end of their season and in the (potential) playoffs beyond that," Miller said. "Also, maybe this win will encourage other members of the team to want to join together in future partnerships."