Ficano the horse (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -
Bob Ficano's former right-hand man insists he did not name a rundown racehorse in honor of the embattled Wayne County executive.
Odd, since both the gelding and the political boss are named Ficano -- a rare name even in Italy.
"It was just coincidence," said Charlie Williams, the former deputy county executive who also moonlights as a thoroughbred horse breeder.
The way Williams tells it -- and the way he explained it to the Jockey's Club, which registered the horse's name in 2009 -- Ficano is an amalgam of the names of its parents.
The sire of Ficano was Giacomo -- winner of the 2005 Kentucky Derby as a 50-1 long shot. The mare was Fenceit. Mash the names together and you get Ficano. At least according to Williams.
"It's not because my former boss was named Ficano," Williams explained. "The name just had a ring to it."
Ficano -- the horse -- was born three years ago on a Fenton farm, but has not amounted to much. As a foal, it was attacked by its mother and carries a scar across the breadth of its neck. Ficano is short, slow-footed and winless in five races.
Ficano the county executive lives in his mother's house, exists on a wheat-free diet and is in the middle of a wide-ranging FBI corruption probe.
Friday, June 7 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-06-07 21:49:09 GMT
Secret surveillance allegations. Fudged murder statistics. Overworked, demoralized, ill-equipped, underpaid and disrespected officers forced to play purse snatcher. Can the new chief succeed in the face of such dysfunction?
Allegations of secret surveillance of the civilian police commissioner. Fudged murder statistics. Overworked, demoralized, ill-equipped, underpaid and disrespected police officers forced to play purse snatcher. Can the new chief, James Craig, succeed in the face of such dysfunction?
Thursday, June 6 2013 11:39 PM EDT2013-06-07 03:39:12 GMT
A stunt designed to test Detroiters' attention to detail went real bad, real quick. The experiment had an officer posing as a purse snatcher. Not factored into the scenario was an FBI agent who wasn't in on the plan.
A stunt designed to test Detroiters' attention to detail went real bad, real quick. The experiment had a Detroit police officer posing as a purse snatcher. Not factored into the scenario was an FBI agent who wasn't in on the plan.
Monday, June 3 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-06-04 01:49:36 GMT
The new, half-finished Wayne County Jail may never be completed. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff says the project is way over budget, and cost overruns could doom the nearly $200 million project.
The new, half-finished Wayne County Jail may never be completed. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff says the project is way over budget, and cost overruns could doom the nearly $200 million project.
Monday, June 3 2013 6:24 AM EDT2013-06-03 10:24:23 GMT
I'd love to have a gorilla. Then I could have people over and say "Hey, check out my gorilla." A story about three Detroit jewels: The DIA, The Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle.
I'd love to have a gorilla. Then I could have people over and say "Hey, check out my gorilla." A story about three Detroit jewels: The DIA, The Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle.
Charlie LeDuff: Off The ChainCharlie LeDuff: Off The ChainMore>>
Monday, June 3 2013 6:24 AM EDT2013-06-03 10:24:23 GMT
I'd love to have a gorilla. Then I could have people over and say "Hey, check out my gorilla." A story about three Detroit jewels: The DIA, The Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle.
I'd love to have a gorilla. Then I could have people over and say "Hey, check out my gorilla." A story about three Detroit jewels: The DIA, The Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle.
Friday, May 3 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:10:10 GMT
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
Sunday, April 21 2013 9:33 AM EDT2013-04-21 13:33:35 GMT
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Monday, April 15 2013 7:21 AM EDT2013-04-15 11:21:31 GMT
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
Friday, April 5 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-04-06 00:43:42 GMT
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan -- as he has been called for the past five months since Chief Ralph Godbee was bounced from office -- was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Monday, April 1 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-04-01 13:07:47 GMT
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Monday, March 25 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-03-25 13:52:46 GMT
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Monday, March 18 2013 10:12 AM EDT2013-03-18 14:12:24 GMT
Many people are concerned about Belle Isle's future. The EFM is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to review the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Now that Detroit has an emergency financial manager, a lot of people are concerned about the future of Belle Isle. Kevyn Orr is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to look over the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:22:49 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Ficano the horse (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
