Owner Creasy Hopes to Produce Belmont Victory

Bill Creasy is used to producing Triple Crown races for television. Now he's hoping to win one as an owner. Creasy worked for six years producing the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes from 1964-1970 for CBS. Tomorrow, as a member of Horizon Stable that owns Ten Most Wanted, Creasy can only imagine for the moment the excitement of being on the other side of the cameras.

"I used to have this dream, a fantasy, of wondering what it would be like to own a classic horse," Creasy said. "The Derby was an incredible, unforgettable experience. I was doing okay until the day before, and then I got Derby Fever. I was surprised I let it get away from me, but I was positive we were going to win. But we had bad luck leaving the gate and that was deflating."

Creasy entered the Horizon group through his friend Gary Margolis, and also fellow TV executive Mark Shapiro, both of whom are in on Ten Most Wanted. Creasy has had a piece of several horses the past three years, none of whom proved as proficient as Ten Most Wanted. "That's part of racing," noted Creasy. "I've been around it enough to know you go in cycles."

Creasy is working on a cycle of his own. When he witnessed Ten Most Wanted's effort in the Derby, it marked the 40th consecutive Run for the Roses he's witnessed live. And today he's developing a case of Belmont Fever. "The horse looks great. (Trainer) Wally Dollase has him in great shape. And whereas we were the 'buzz' horse at the Derby, we're off the radar screen now. That's good. People aren't paying attention to us now so there's a relaxed air."

As for the differences in telecasting racing now as opposed to 40 years ago, Creasy pointed to technology as the biggest change. "The tools and toys they have today -- the graphics and the slow motion -- we didn't have all that stuff."

Creasy, who resides in Greenwich, Ct., remains active in Winnercom's productions of horse racing. "Racing is a passion, and I try to stay close to it and help wherever I can. When you're producing telecasts, they're so big and important you're concentrating on the work. This side of it, you dream and get carried away."