Bernie Miklasz
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
August 24, 2006 

Life is good for Jeff Cooper. He's 37. He's worth a lot of money -- well, a fortune -- thanks to an extremely successful law practice. And Cooper is emerging as a serious player on the St. Louis sports scene. He's worth watching, now, and in the future, because he will make things happen.

So what is Cooper doing with his cash and his love of sports? Not knowing the guy, you probably would think, "Mark Cuban," or another big-ego personality who craves attention. A jerk who flaunts his wealth, demands preferential treatment, and travels with an obnoxious entourage.

And you would be wrong. Just try to get the publicity-shy Cooper on the phone or get him to brag about his money or status. Cooper completely shatters any preconceived notions about him.

"He's just a regular guy, a wonderful, low-key fellow," said Jay Randolph Sr., the respected St. Louis sportscaster who has come to know Cooper through a mutual fondness for horse racing. "He grew up in Granite City, and money hasn't changed him. He still hangs out with the guys he grew up with. He's happy to hang out at the race track, just being with his pals."

That track would be Fairmount Park in Collinsville, which has seen better days and, hopefully, better days are ahead. No, Fairmount Park isn't Santa Anita, or Arlington Park. But it's our track, and as a horse racing fan, I love it and want to see it thrive.

In that context, I give major props to Cooper for what he's doing. With all of his millions, Cooper isn't trying to buy the Rams or the Cardinals. He isn't trying to bring an NBA team to St. Louis. There are no grandstand moves in his playbook.

Sheesh, Cooper's even leading the effort to bring a Major League Soccer expansion franchise to St. Louis and hopes to soon finalize a stadium deal to make it possible. Cooper laughs and acknowledges that investing in pro soccer and horse racing makes him something of a "Don Quixote figure." Those sports aren't exactly on the nation's cultural hot list.

But Cooper is following his heart. He played soccer at Granite City High and DePaul University and believes in the sport's future. He has a sentimental attachment to Fairmount Park and deems it worthy of support.

Cooper worries about the people who make their living at the track, or in related businesses that depend on the facility. And he wanted to do something about it.

So Cooper put up most of the $250,000 purse for Saturday's inaugural St. Louis Derby, a prestigious race for 3-year-olds that has attracted top horses -- including Lawyer Ron and Lewis Michael -- trainers and jockeys. It's a terrific event for local horse racing enthusiasts.

Cooper gave Fairmount Park this gift as an appreciation for all of the pleasant days he has had at the track as a fan, a bettor, and also as a thoroughbred owner through his Circle C Stables. And this isn't a one-year splash; Cooper plans to fund the St. Louis Derby each year to turn the race into an annual "institution" on the St. Louis sports calendar.

"It's just our way to say thanks to the track and the fans," Cooper said. "As a teenager, I used to hitchhike to Fairmount Park with my buddies. At 18, I started betting $2 a race. It's been a part of my life. Just being around the track so many years, I've seen so many fantastic people who work their tails off every day. It's not easy to make a living. You have to be really dedicated.

"So, hopefully, this will bring some income to the track. And it will raise Fairmount Park's profile. We can show what it's possible to do at Fairmount Park if we have the purse money. We want the (Illinois) politicians to take notice and realize Fairmount Park can be special if enough people give it a chance."

Cynics would suggest that it's a losing proposition, to take a chance on horse racing and pro soccer. But I'll wager on Cooper. He's a winner.