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JUDGES STAND By Charles Hatton Bright Prospects for Keeneland Big Reds Condition Is Improved Beard Outlines Greentree Plans Anent The Devil and His Dam LEXINGTON, Ky.. April 12. Dropping our portfolio in the lobby of the Lafayette, which is the "horsemens headquarters." we scanned the register un- easily to assure ourselves Charles Evans Hughes and Fiorello LaGuardia were not among the guests, then reclined in the most luxurious chair available to await developments. This place differs from Vicki Baums "Grand Hotel" in that something always happens here. It is more like that elegant and exclusive hobo jungle. Shepheards Hotel, in Cairo. We cannot imagine why it is called the Lafayette unless it is because the French general lived at the Phoenix, half a block down Main Street. Incidentally, the first horse races west of the Blue Ridge were staged on this J thoroughfare. Probably it would be the scene of similarly riotous, impromptu brushes in the present day had not a concourse of badly frightened pedestrians petitioned the city fathers against them. Much of the talk in horsemens haunts here concerns the Keeneland Clubs spring meet, at Churchill Downs, a few hours distant by rail or bus. Although Derby town is the site of this sporty session, the condition book has a distinctly Keeneland overtone and such prime Lexington favorites as Ask-menow. By Jimminy and Durazna are expected to appear. There is a curious analogy between Keeneland and Saratoga racing these war-times. Transportation restrictions, a sinister bete noire of so many other tracks, forced both to transfer their meets to areas in which they have prospered far more than ever they did in their own bailiwicks. The Keeneland Race Course, Inc.s sport is general-managed by George "Brownie" Leach. The club was founded by Hal Price Headley and Maj. Louie A. Beard. Its first meeting was conducted at the late Jack Keenes "magnificent obsession" of a track in 36. Strangely, Keeneland flourished where the century-old Kentucky association course succumbed for lack of patronage. Perhaps this paradox proves Col. Matt Winns theory that hard-boots are the most discriminating of all racing audiences, for the programs at the dismantled track had assumed a leaky-roof character. The Blue Grass Stakes and Breeders Futurity are Keenelands proudest boasts. Alfred Parkers By Jimminy is the current BlueOrass Stakes favorite. No few of the local cognoscenti fancy By Jimminy will account for the Derby as well. Louisvilles Buck Weaver, however, is about to fly in the face of history and pick a filly. Twilight Tear. Dispossessed by the war. it seems unlikely Keeneland may resume racing at home while the international despots remain at large. Next falls edition of the Breeders Futurity is to be decided at Louisville at any rate. A visiting Virginia horseman wearing a Tattersall vest that would have excited Lincoln Plauts profound envy, invited us to accompany him this afternoon on an inspection tour of Blue Grass nurseries. Inevitably, we wound up at Faraway. Man o War at 27 is the most majestic figure in the equine * peerage. "He is sometimes called the least well-bred of the Fair Plays," our companion remarked, "and to my mind is a living proof of the importance of individuality and conformation. In describing him and his deeds it is not necessary to embellish or exaggerate. Indeed, he is himself so exaggerated it is virtually impossible." Man o War is in visibly better condition than he was some months back. That he has worn so well is a tribute to Harrie Scotts skill as well as to his own stout constitution. Big Red has been such an inspiring •ambassador of good will" for the turf, it seems a pity he must some day join his ancestors, but we have a high enough opinion of Heaven to feel sure good horses are admitted. Maj. Louie Beard and his staff at Greentree rejoiced when Devil Diver captured the Paumonok before a record Jamaica audience, and Four Freedoms confirmed himself the winter seasons handicap champion by adding the Tropical Handicap to his thrilling Widener Cup conquest. "Four Freedoms will be shipped up the seaboard and probably will ap- I ear in the Dixie," Beard said. "His •am. Nea Lap, a sister of Phar Lap, is due to foal to Grand Slam." Devil Diver only attained maturity last fall," Beard opined. "You know he always had speed, but he sometimes tailed off toward the end of his races. I believe that was because he still was growing and had not developed his full strength, rather than an incapacity to stay." Devil Divers dam, Dabchick, had the ill luck to slip twins to Blenheim II. this spring and will be returned to the champion progenitor of 1941. Greentree, having swept the boards of the Widener, Flamingo, Paumonok and Tropical Handicaps, now proposes to have a representative in both the Wood Memorial* and Blue Grass, though perhaps not the Chesapeake. "I am not sure at the moment precisely what horse will be started in the Long Island or Louisville race. We may have Stir Up and one other in the Derby, depending on how they perform In these qualifying stakes," Beard said.
