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B-;" arm JUDGES STAND *y CHARLES HATT0N CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., April 30. — Churchill Downs richest spring meet began with a large crowd, considering the dreary weather, and everyone is looking forward eagerly to a glimpse of some of the Derby colts in action in Tuesdays 0,000 Trial. Indications today were that the Blue Grass winner, Halt, and the Chesa peake winner, Capot, would be in the starting field for this mile run over the Derby course. It is, perhaps, worth mentioning here that Halt and Capot are two prospects for Saturdays "mile and a quarter without any water" that have not developed a lot of creases as a consequence of the training grind. The Blue Grass Stakes did not alter the Derby field, and it may be that some new talent will emerge from the Trial. In any case, Ocean Drive ran in New York as if he may have recovered the form which enabled him to run down his stable-mate, Olympia, in Florida, last winter. At the moment, it appears that the starting field will number about a dozen. We think that any breeder would like to have the distinction of having brought up a Derby horse, but these are all that are left of a total of some 7,000 thoroughbred foals in 1946. Until Citation won the Trial and the Derby double a year ago, there was some superstition that it couldnt be done, but one hears none of this nonsense now, and, in fact, Johnny Gaver and Woody Stephens feel that their colts chances will be improved by the race. AAA Lincoln Plaut was the guest of the TCA at dinner the other night and discussed his Yardstick handicaps nimbly in debate, coming away with virtually all the honors and more silver trophies than Cartiers. Among other things Plaut was asked — if he considered that handicaps should have a floor or ceiling. He replied Halt, Capot, Thrive on Derby Preparation Plaut May Add Yardstick for Routers Parke Foresees Many Flying Horses1/ Wirra Is Dark Filly In Rick Oaks that in his opinion races with such restrictions arent handicaps at all, and pointed out that the cash for the nomination fee is just as hard, it doesnt matter what the class of the nominee, the handicappers task is to give each nominator the same chance. Someone suggested that a 130-pound maximum conserves the "name horses" that are important to the sport, because of their box office value. At this point Col. Jack Howard supposed the question of an axiom "depends on whose cow is being hooked." Joe Estes wondered if it wouldnt be possible to compile a mile and a half Yardstick without a great deal of extra research, so that horses would have some sort of distinction for sheer stamina. Plaut thought perhaps there should be such a rating, and the matter will be considered at a later meeting. He complimented Happy Issue on the score of consistency when he noted that she was the "key horse" in arriving at the weights for the three-year-olds and up. "She raced from Mexico to California, then to Chicago and back to California," he explained. "This afforded a direct line on many of the handicap horses." AAA The Derby favorite, Olympia, now has been flown about 7,000 miles and trainer Ivan Parke is convinced that planes offer the most satisfactory horse transportation. "I think there will be a lot more of it in the future," he said. "Horses can run in stakes they would have had to miss a few years ago." Duplicator is another eligible flown to Derbytown for the race next week-end. Later in the season a number of three-year-olds may fly West for the 0,000 Westerner at Hollywood Park, on July 9. Capot, Olympia, De Luxe, Ponder, Old Rock-port and Sport Page are easterners who have been made eligible. The same colts are in the Classic of 0,000 at Arlington Park on July 30. All of which suggests that more racegoers may see more of the good three-year-olds this season. AAA Wirra has a good many "hard boots" wondering what sort of filly she may be. Up to now she has won two of her three starts, and trainer Devereux is pointing her for the 0,000 Kentucky Oaks on Friday. She was bucked most of last season, and could only run once, but won that one. Wirra was bred by the Devereuxs near Lexington and is a brown by Equifox from Gayee, by Bostonian. She is typical of the descendants of Equipoise and Andy LoTurco, who once climbed on a Florida-bred and complained "Theres no place to sit down up here," would find plenty of room to recline. Trainer Devereux tells us that Gayee still is in production at the age of 21 and is to be bred back to Equifox. She has had 10 winners, including a useful horse in Bold Captain. The Devereuxs bought her from Colonel Chinn for ,300, in foal and carrying a foal. AAA Turf ana: Shy Guy is a Clark Handicap prospect. . . . Abe Hewitt is here to inspect the foals and see the Derby. . . . Charley Kenney introduced a TCA guest as "pure, in the sense he is free from worms." . . . Mrs. Clifford Mooers came from Texas to root for Old Rockport. . . . Calumet may have a starter in the Derby Trial, which Citation won in 1948, Faultless in 1947. . . . Of De Luxe, Plain Ben declares, "He is slower to learn than any Bull Lea Ive had." . . . Lincoln Downs, Golden Gate and Keeneland had record one-day "tote" action this spring. . . . Detroit Fail- Grounds strip is reported in splendid condition for the meet, which opens with the 0,000 Curtain Up, a week from Friday.
