Merv Griffin Treated for Prostate Cancer

Thoroughbred owner Merv Griffin, who campaigned 2005 juvenile champion Stevie Wonderboy, remained hospitalized July 20 with a recurrence of prostate cancer, according to an announcement posted on the entertainer's Web site.

"Thanks to all his many friends, fans, and media who have expressed concern," the statement said. It quoted Griffin as saying, "I’m a very lucky guy. My life is never boring."

Griffin, who was born in San Mateo and attended races at Bay Meadows as a youth, owns the Merv Griffin Ranch Co. near Palm Springs and resides in Carmel Valley, Calif.

It was first announced July 18 that Griffin was being treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for cancer discovered during a routine examination a few weeks ago, said Marcia Newberger, spokeswoman for The Griffin Group/Merv Griffin Entertainment.

"I'd rather play Jeopardy! than live it," the 82-year-old game show impresario and former talk show host said in a statement released then. "I was ready for a vacation; however, this wasn't the destination I had in mind."

Griffin's son, Tony, said his father was resting comfortably and that "his sense of humor and optimistic outlook remain intact."

"He's getting great care, and his medical team want to monitor his progress in a controlled setting," Tony Griffin said in a statement.

Griffin, a former band singer, invented and produced the popular game shows "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

Stevie Wonderboy, trained by Doug O'Neill, won the 2005 Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) while claiming honors as the nation's top 2-year-old. Stevie Wonderboy was retired from racing last month, unable to recover from a series of injuries that kept him off the Triple Crown trail at 3. The colt also won the Del Mar Futurity (gr. II).

Griffin's 3-year-old colt Cobalt Blue won the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita in March.

Griffin asked that instead of flowers, donations be made to  the Young Musicians Foundation Board, of which he is chairman. A tax-deductible donation can be made to YMF, 195 S. Beverly Drive, Suite 414, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, or by phoning 310/859-7668.