Robert Frankel, the hottest thing going in Thoroughbred racing today, certainly qualifies as an optimist.

Last Nov. 4, a couple of hours after the Breeders' Cup program had been run at Churchill Downs, Frankel had every reason to be down on his luck and moping around with a 'why me?' attitude.

Earlier in the day, Frankel's record in the sport's most important day was extended to 0-for-36, an unsightly blemish on a career that's earned him two Eclipse Awards as leading trainer (in 1993 and 2000) and carried him into the Racing Hall of Fame.

"Whattayagonnado?" the native New Yorker said with a shrug. "I just can't win the big one, that's all."

In a flash, however, his eyes lit up and a broad smile replaced the frown on his face as a curious bay nose poked out from a stall midway down the shedrow. "There's the guy who's gonna do it for me next year," Frankel said.

"Who's that?" he was asked.

"Aptitude," was the reply. "He's gonna be the man."

"What do you think?" Frankel said, turning to Aptitude and giving the son of A.P. Indy a loving pat on the nose. "Are you ready to step up? Are you gonna be the man?"

The great Thoroughbred trainers also have patience. In the spring of 2000, Aptitude had finished second to Fusaichi Pegasus in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), then was beaten by Commendable as the favorite in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). A few weeks after the Breeders' Cup, the colt was a terrible eighth in the Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs. He didn't look like 'the man' when sixth to Captain Steve in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) in March, or when third to stablemate Skimming in the Californian Stakes (gr. II) in June. Aptitude was awarded the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), though he was not involved in the interference that cost Futural the victory.

Aptitude awakened with a strong victory in the Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) in August, and his 10-length triumph in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) on Oct. 6 was a tour de force. But this Gold Cup wasn't Exceller vs. Seattle Slew or Affirmed vs. Spectacular Bid. Two of Aptitude's prime rivals, Albert the Great and A P Valentine, were off their game, and the other four starters were overmatched longshots.

Let's say Aptitude was a man among boys. He'll get a much sterner test when the dynamic duo of Europeans Galileo and Fantastic Light comes to Belmont Park Oct. 27 for the World Thoroughbred Championships and take on Aptitude in the Classic (gr. I). Rest assured that Frankel is optimistic about his chances.

SUPPORTING NEW YORK

Because of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and subsequent military response, Americans have been hesitant to travel, and a number of people who made plans to be at Belmont Park on Breeders' Cup Day have canceled them. Like most Americans, these same people undoubtedly have expressed a desire to help in the aftermath of the attacks.

Aside from donating to the Red Cross or one of the charities established to assist victims and their families, the best way to support New York's recovery effort is to come to the Breeders' Cup, visit Manhattan for a night of fine dining and theater, and support the local economy. Stringent security is in place at airports, making air travel safe; ground transportation is operating normally, and most local businesses in the city are up and running.