Luxe Life Blog

Photos: Blackjack with a Clydesdale, a Dalmatian and Michael Gaughan

Posted October 15, 2012 • 1:35 p.m.

South Point GM Ryan Growney, in the suit, and South owner Michael Gaughan play blackjack with a Clydesdale named Elite and a Dalmatian named King at South Point on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

It sounds like the start of a joke: A horse and a Dalmatian walk into a casino and decide to play a game of blackjack with the owner, except this was for real and not a standup comic’s gag. South Point owner Michael Gaughan was all laughs as he welcomed the lead Budweiser Clydesdale named Elite and the Dalmatian named King to his gaming pit.

Contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was on duty to capture the unique trio of card players last Friday afternoon, and South Point General Manager Ryan Growney was on hand to ensure that there was no monkey business or “Animal House” hijinx.

It was a unique photo session that reminded of when actor Robert Redford rode Rising Star into Caesars Palace in “The Electric Horseman.” And when singer Shania Twain arrived at the same casino resort this year for the promotional photographs of her residency that begins Dec. 1 at the Colloseum.

Budweiser had the Clydesdales in Las Vegas for weekend events at the South Point Arena. BTW, the only animal bar joke I know: A chicken walks into a bar, and the bartender says, “We don’t serve poultry.” The chicken replies, “That’s OK. I only want a drink.”

Groaning permitted -- enjoy the photos!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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