view raw text
PAINT "JOCKEY" IN COLORS Lawn Ornament at Aurora to Be Decorated for Derby Winner. Owners Combination to Adorn Figure After Running of 2,000 Added Feature Each Year. AURORA, 111., April 19. The Illinois Derby is just a "babe in swaddling clothes," so far as tradition is concerned. The Aurora feature is a six-year-old "infant" that has developed greatly in interest and value since its start back in 1933. In future years, however, the now 2,000 added value stake will acquire color and tradition and grow to rate among the nations important events. Officials of the Fox Valley course have started a custom in connection with the mile and a furlong event that is sure to add to the tradition of the Derby. The little iron jockey on the clubhouse lawn, has been given a new coat of paint in the orange, chocolate and white colors of Mrs. Ethel V. Mars Milky Way Farm, winner of the Derby last year. It will be an annual custom to adorn the figure with the Derby victors colors. The jockey has an interesting little story in itself, aside from its new importance. Way back, thirty years ago, in the horse and buggy days it was used as a hitching post for sulkies, buggies and saddle horses on the Wild Rose Farm of Val Crane at St. Charles, Illinois. PRESENT FROM CRANE. About ten years ago the figure was turned over to the Aurora track as a present from Crane, and placed on the clubhouse grounds. The Derby, scheduled to climax the west side twenty-four-days meeting on May 28, has more than doubled in value since its inception. Starting out as a ,000 added stake, officials of the club have boosted the purse to its present value and now it rates among the important spring events ofturfdom. To stir your memory on this score look at the winners of following Derbies; 1934, Mata Hari, then rated as one of the best fillies; 1935, Sun Portland, which routed a Kentucky Derby favorite, Roman Soldier; 1936, Rush-away, the sturdy horse that travelled to La-tonia the following day to win the Latonia Derby, and last year, Mrs. Mars Case Ace. The new "silks" on the metal jockey is not an original idea. A number of American tracks honor their stake winners with such decorations. The custom adopted by Aurora, however, is the first in Chicago and is sure to add to the "color" literally speaking, that makes for tradition and interest.
