Sidelights on American Derby, Daily Racing Form, 1928-06-11

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$ 1 « Sidelights on American Derby « Robert M. Swcitger, president of "Washington Park Jockey Club, beamed joyously from his box. He said: "A long stride has been taken toward re-establishing that olcl-time sentiment and tradition of the American Derby. I congratulate the management of the American National Jockey Club. The vast assemblage here tells that Chicago is deeply interested in b: inging back the glory of this great contest between the finest three-year-olds in America. Only Reigh Count was needed to make it perfect insofar as the contest was concerned. In all other ways it was a perfect day. I have never seen anything like the enthusiasm displayed this afternoon on a Chicago race course." John C. Schank, president of the Chicago Business Mens Racing Association, said : "Chicago never fails. Its answer to the renewal of the American Derby surprises even for Chicago — it is that big. I wish to say the crowd and enthusiasm typfies the Chicago spirit, which eclipses anything in America in business, sport, everything." Col. M. J. Wnn, directing manager of the American Turf Association, said : "It is wondei ful. Ths renewal of the American Derby signifies that Chicago is going to restore the race in all of its old-time lustre. The race itself was great. The crowd was magnificent. The American National Jockey Club has a marvelous plant. Chicago people are demonstrating all the time they want fine racing and they are going to get it. I am happy over the success of today." Maj. Thomas C. McDowell, presiding steward of Arlington Park, predicted the victory of Misstep, classing him as a thoroughbred of high quality. Major McDowell, himself the breeder of turf stars of other days, won the Kentucky Derby with Alan-a-Dale, also the Latonia and Canadian Derbys, the Kentucky Oaks and other rich stakes. Dwelling on Derbys of the past and present Major McDowell chuckled and drawled, "Never shall I forget when I won the Kentucky classic. Times were different then — things were normal and formal then. I am lip-smacking this instant in the recollection of the evening of the celebration of my triumph. Yes, sir, we had wine at the Pen-dennis Club in Louisville and fried chicken, too. But — why dwell on these delights of a time we may never know again? Nothing was missing to supply the sentiment and _ J tradition in keeping with the glory attaching to a Derby." Major McDowell had another regret — the absence from the American Derby of his friend and great champion of the thoroughbred interests, Governor Flem D. Sampson of Kentucky. The chief executive found it necessary to wire the major that pressure of official business rendered it necessary for him to remain at Frankfort. Governor Sampson included in his wire good wishes to the officials of the American National Jockey Club and turfmen in general. William Dondas. racing secretary, escorted Bob Smith and jockey George Fields on an inspection tour of the Arlington Park plant. "Wonderful," declared Bob, who has seen nearly all of the worlds racing establishments. The trainer of Strolling Player believes Chicago is destined to regain its past glory in turf affairs. He asserts Arlington Park will shortly be second to none as a racing center. E. B. McLeans Toro will be shipped Sunday to Latonia. where he will rejoin others in the stable there. Jockeys E. Ambrose. W. Garner and A. Abel departed for the Latonia track Saturday night. P. Reuters Galahad was transferred back to Fairmount Park Sunday, accompanied by Capt. George Foster. Bar None was the first withdrawal in the American Derby. W. G. Yanke, supervisor of the Longridge Stable, expressed it in a sentence when he said : "Not good enough." John F. Schorr, after wiring he could not come, surprised by making his appearance at Arlington Park. He saddled Toro in the American Derby. John Schank. president of the Hawthorne track, was among the early arrivals and enjoyed the occasion to the utmost. Stuyvesant Feabody. president of the Lincoln Fields track, had a party of guests at the course in boxes in the club house. Col. Matt J. Winn, directing genius of the American Turf Association, was an arrival from Cincinnati to witness the running of the American Derby. He departed for St. Louis tonight, where he will make a visit to Fairmount Park. C. W. Hay was another arrival from Kentucky to witness the Derby. Mr. Hay id manager of the Washington Park track, where the revival of the American Derby-came in 1026 and was won by Boot to Boot.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1920s/drf1928061101/drf1928061101_24_4
Local Identifier: drf1928061101_24_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800