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BETWEEN RACES syoscom CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 5. — The tumult has died down, the great Derby crowd has dispersed to the four corners of the nation, the turf interest is swinging to the many exciting stakes to come, the Preakness, at ancient Pimlico on Saturday, the Belmont Stakes to fol low, and the rich events of Chicago in mid-summer. Jet Pilot, winner of the Derby, is, of course, a factor in the Preakness, and by the time this appears, he should be safely bedded down at Pimlico. But the nature of his victory, lasting to win over a track which he loves, coupled with the dramatic, yes, smashing, runs through the stretch on the part of Phalanx and Faultless, all three horses heads apart at the wire, does not make certain his position as a favorite to win the "Triple Crown" by sheer virtue of his Derby win. Indeed, the race makes the three-year-old situation at this time more interesting than ever. As far as I am concerned, all three heads on the wire turned in what might he termed a winning effort, although the roses, 2,160 net, and the adulation that goes with a Derby -vinner, are quite rightfully Jet Pilots. AAA Jet Pilot is entitled in many ways to every tribute in victory. Indeed, it might be said he could consider himself lucky to be alive. Jet Pilot was one of the few horses of Derby caliber not stabled at Arlington Park when the disastrous fire wiped out a large segment of the Maine Chance Farm, and trainer Tom Smith told me as long ago as last winter that among the horses destroyed were several he rated the superior of Jet Pilot. His only weakness, perhaps, has been hoofs that will not stand pasteboard track pounding, and which, while he did not wear Aftermath of Jet Pilots Derby Score Does Not Assure Preakness Favoritism Result Testimonial to Colts Trainer Smith Outguesses Weather Forecaster them in the Derby because of the slow condition of the track, requires the usual wearing of bar plates. I always have had a deep respect and admiration of the training of Tom Smith, ever since the writer first knew him as stable foreman for the late C. B. Irwin down in Mexico. His genius for overlooking no details, and making those details count, was never more clearly demonstrated than on Derby Day. AAA Early Saturday morning, Smith called for his favorite plater, and decided upon the change in shoes He waited until the last minute, however, before the actual change was made. Once he decided that the clouds were there to stay for the tfay, and that the track would not dry out excessively, the change from bars to stickers cuickly was made. Soon after the shoeing process was completed, he noticed the stable pony unsaddled and munching oats. "Im sorry," he told the groom, "but I forgot to tell you to keep the tack on." The saddle promptly was replaced. As if thinking to himself, he observed, "I rather expect jockey Guerin to be out a bit later, and I want him to walk the pony around the track so he can judge it for himself, and, while in front, sort of pick out where he thinks the going is best." Tom Smith, who, as an old rancher, learned to judge the weather for himself, forecast the rains of Friday, which muddied up the track, and which were not predicted by the official weatherman here, in Louisville. Jet Pilot is of the material that makes Kentucky preeminent as a breeding center. His bloodlines are quite unimpeachable, by the imported English Derby winner, Blenheim II., and sire of not only the Kentucky Derby winner of 1941, Whirlaway, but also Mahmoud, also an Epsom Derby winner and last years leading American stallion. He is out of a Sir Gallahad IH. mare. The new 1947 American Racing Manual lists Jet Pilot as the third best bargain yearling of last year. He cost Maine Chance Farms 1,000, then earned 7,830 as a two-year-old. His winnings Saturday boosted his total earnings to 92,490, which must add even further to the "bargain" nature of the transaction. AAA Horses and People: Unerring, the dam of Faultless, was a ,000 acquisition by Calumet Farm, and Johnny Clark, the Lexington horse expert, handled the sale. Faultless was her first foal, and while barren this year, will be bred back to Bull Lea. First foals often are not considered the best, hence it may be that something eveo better than Faultless may make an appearance in the future. Unerring could be termed a "bargain" purchase, herself. . . . The Derby race turnover of ,253,042 is a new American record for play on a single race, and would appear to refute any gossip that a serious recession is to be expected in racing in general. The total turnover for the day was ,636,403, a new record for the Downs and, judging by the long queues which formed in the infield and which were directly under our ken, a great deal of money was shut out. Just as there is no practical limit to which the Derby crowd can grow, neither is there a limit, excepting number and availability of machines, to which the "tote" handle can grow.
