Horse racing’s Triple Crown drought of 37 years came to an end in dramatic fashion this past weekend, as 811 sponsored jockey Victor Espinoza rode American Pharoah to a commanding victory in the Belmont Stakes. Pharoah led from the beginning, and won the race by 5 ½ lengths, becoming the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win horse racing’s Triple Crown: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont.
That hat trick is one of the rarest events in all of sports – and has only been done 11 times before since the first winner in 1919. Pharoah is number twelve.
The best words to describe American Pharoah’s win come from a combined report by ESPN and the Associated Press:
“American Pharoah started kicking away heading into the final turn. He opened up on the field as he powered through the 1,097-yard stretch, displaying his fluid, spring-loaded stride in which he appears to float over the ground.”
For jockey Victor Espinoza, the victory is twice as sweet. He’s the first Hispanic jockey to win the Triple Crown.
In truck racing, Texas811 sponsored driver Mason Mingus in the Texas811 Call Before You Dig Chevrolet finished 13th in the WinStar World Casino & Resort 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Truck Series race ran for 167 laps on Friday evening.
In last week’s blog, we reported on the tornado damage to Texas811 President Mike Losawyers ranch in Blue, Oklahoma. A lot of folks came out to help in the clean-up, including people from Texas811, Okie811 and also USIC Oklahoma. The following from USIC Oklahoma helped out:
– Edmond Williams
– Tylor Albrecht
– Grant Amos
– Nicholas Johnson
– Scott Johnson
– Timothy Jones
– Karsten Schrater
A big Texas811 thank you to these volunteers and all the others who came to Mike’s aid, proving again how much of a family 811, utilities and locating services are for each other.
There was no television or press coverage, but the Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio held its annual Health and Safety Fair on Saturday, June 6. This year they were able to train over 150 workers on OSHA 10 Construction Industry course and First-aid/CPR class, in English as well as Spanish. Texas811 was there to spread the word of our burgeoning Hispanic initiative, educating attendees in what 811 is, what it means, and how it works for them. Even McGruff the Crime Dog showed up at our booth, shown flanked by Jaime Medina, a Texas811 Damage Prevention Manager, and Scott Finley, Texas811 manager of media and PR.
Participants could also get their blood glucose and blood pressure tested, and kids enjoyed a bounce house, balloons and a face painter.
Best moment of the event? When a person stopped at our booth and asked us if Texas811 was a new Tejano radio station!
Finally, the Texas811 “gangster” PSA picked up FIVE Telly Awards in recent national competition.
The awards were for:
Commercial – Local TV & Local Cable – Public Service
Commercial – Local TV & Local Cable – Not-for-profit
Commercial – Regional TV & Multi-Market Cable – Not-for-profit
Commercial – Regional TV & Multi-Market Cable – Public Service
Commercial – Regional TV & Multi-Market Cable – Use of Humor
Other Telly winners have included the Discovery Channel, Disney, E! Entertainment, BET, The Weather Channel, ESPN and FOX Sports Networks.
The PSA is now airing in eight Texas TV markets – watch for it in your city soon!
Until next week, dig safe!
