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I BETWEEN RACES * «c« °™ CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 2. — Saturdays running of the Kentucky Derby will mark the ninth time Reuben White has sent the field away for Americas blue ribbon three-year-old test. One cannot exactly say that White is posed with a problem in sending the Kentucky Derby field away in perfect align ment, for such problems face all starters in all races. However, White is hiring at least four and possibly six extra assistants for Derby Day. He wants to be absolutely sure that should any of the starters need handling or steadying in their stalls prior to the "off" that such assistance should be available and rendered. A preliminary check of the Derby possibilities indicates that a large majority are benefited by such handling. Hence the order to hire additional assistants. During the eight years of his tenure as starter at the Downs, White has obtained a uniformly high degree of accuracy in getting his fields away evenly. The man had 19 years of ground work under Bill Hamilton before he branched out in his own right. In addition, he has served at many of the so-called smaller tracks where, in some instances, horses are encountered which are more obstreperous than on the majors. It might be mentioned that a lucky chain of coincidence landed White the Downs post. Working on the ground crew of Hamilton, he was second in seniority to Jack Hodgins, better known today as the trainer for Dixiana. Shortly before the Downs opportunity presented itself Hodgins resigned, leaving White number one man. White to Hire Additional Derby Assistants Veteran Starter Deems Glisson As Great Probationary Licenses Have Turf Wondering Traditional Breeders Dinner on Tap Tonight He was the logical man to fill the starting post when it became open. AAA It might interest you to know the White evaluation of Gordon Glisson, the rider for Old Rockport. A starter gets an entirely different "slant- on a rider than a spectator for he has a chance to study their thinking, mental reactions and skill at close range, as they handle or maneuver their mounts for a good getaway. "Glisson is one of the finest riders I have ever seen," says White. "He reminds me of Workman when Sonny was at his best. As long as Glisson rode under me at Keeneland he never once requested assistance from an assistant starter. At times he needed it. But he always attempted to straighten his horse out satisfactorily without calling for help. When I saw he needed aid I would ask him if he needed a little help. He would usually tell me, Id appreciate it if you could spare a man. His mental reactions seem instantaneous. And quick thinking, you know, is one essential needed for any rider to become truly great." AAA Kentucky stewards are mulling in their minds over the case of jockey Jess Higley. and any implications which might result from the fact that some states grant what are known as probationary licenses. Higley, you may recall, became involved in an unfortunate affair over the ownership of some horses and was set down in California for a period of several months. He later was restored to good standing in the Golden State, but as is customary there, was granted a probationary license. He rode in California and later came to Kentucky. The stewards here wired out for further particulars and were informed by the California authorities that no effort had been made to hamper his riding there and that he was "considered in good standing." The wire was conclusive enough and Higley has since been riding in Kentucky. But the point has been raised that is "considered to be in good standing" the equivalent of "in good standing." Just what is the difference between a probationary license and a regular one? Kentucky has only one license, a license which means "in good standing" and nothing else. California is not the only state which issues probationary licenses, but the point has been raised that perhaps there ought to be a national understanding on the matter. The jockeys, we are advised, will raise the point at the forthcoming meeting of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners and ask that a clarification be made. AAA A development of the last few years in Louisville, which in short order has become a tradition, is the pre- Continued on Page Forty-Seven BETWEEN RACES I By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty-Eight Derby conclave of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Tr-e dinner and talks have been scheduled this year for tomorrow night at the Brown Hotel. Four years ago the policy was established in asking as honored guests the trainers of starters in the Derby. This year the invitation will be expanded to include all jockeys who ever rode a Derby winner. Three riders have accepted to date: Jim Boland, who rode Lieut. Gibson in 1900; Eddie Arcaro, four-time winner, with Law-rin, Whirlaway, Hoop Jr. and Citation; and Conn McCreary, who steered Pensive in 1944. Roscoe Goose, serving his second term as president of the KTBA, is of course, widely known throughout Kentucky s the rider of the immortal Doner ail, in 913. Donerail remains in the records as I the longest-priced Derby winner in the 74 runnings, to date. A growing tradition "within a tradition" at the dinner is the demand of those in attendance that the "Donerail story," as it might be termed, be recounted in detail. AAA Horses and People: Touts are usually deemed, and rightly so, a nervy type of citizen, but it has come to light that one, at least, has set a new high for "gall." The man sent out wires to people advising wagers giving his return address as the "Kentucky State Racing Commission." The authorities got wind of the matter when they received a return wire from a disgruntled person. The investigation is quite thorough. . . . We understand the record period of gestation for a thoroughbred mare in Kentucky is about 13 months, but at least two mares caused owners worry by carrying their foals 366 and 365 days, respectively. Both foaled perfect colts. At least that was the verdict of many judges who dropped around to see them. The exact dates for gestation are positive because each mare was only mated once. . . . A little belatedly it might be mentioned that Palestinian, at this writing regarded as a certain starter in the Derby, dropped from 80-to-l to 12-to-l in the future quotations following his bold showing to Olympia in the Wood Memorial. . . . Jim Rushin, manager of the Kentucky Hotel, advises that Derby week-end reservations are at a new all-time high and cancella-I tions have been at an absolute minimum.
