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■SSm. ***rand sSJmSs BETWEEN RACES ° 0SCAR om CHURCHILL DOWNS. Louisville. Ky., May 3. — We rather imagine that Derby Day fans will be pleasantly surprised with the many improvements made at Churchill Downs during the past season, improvements which will add to the comfort of the record-breaking throng expected to be on hand for the Diamond Jubilee edition of Americas most famous horse race. While it is no secret that the creation of additional seating * facilities has been the major item accomplished at the ancient property, opening-day crowds were pleasantly surprised to discover that in some areas of the vast plant, traffic flow had been accelerated, a beautification program concluded, pari-mutuel wickets installed at strategic points, and new gates made available to negate any delays in getting into the grounds. Churchill Downs is rightfully proud of its horticultural displays. Opening-day crowds were especially impressed by the natty showing made by the banks of tulips in the clubhouse areas. There is a possibility, however, that these tulips may not make their best appearance on Saturday. "They bloomed this spring about a week early," explains track superintendent Tom Young, a "flower man" from a long way back. "And a heavy storm between now and the Derby may pelt down some of the petals." On the more practical side it is noted that seating facilities for the general admission customer have been greatly increased, along with that of the box holders. This is especially true in the infield Improvements Impress Inaugural Throngs Turfmen Annoyed by New Louisville Tax Moody Jolley Enters Ranks of Breeders Citation or Coaltown Certain for Coast where row after row of brightly painted benches have made their first appearance. AAA Some citizens have been having some sport chiding the city authorities via the "letters to editors" column of the Louisville dailies in regard to the condition of the citys streets. One wag has suggested that each April, as Derby time nears, traditionally the first Saturday in May, the mayor and city fathers get together to decide where they will tear up Fourth Street. He said in part: "Youd be surprised how just before the Derbys run, we like to tear up streets for fun." Of course, it isnt quite that bad, for while there is some construction work about town, traffic has been moving rather steadily. The Louisville police department has worked out a traffic schedule for Derby Day that is more expeditious. The racing folks themselves are not irked about the streets one bit, but they do feel a bit aggrieved about the new "occupational" tax or whatever it is that the city of Louisville has levied upon almost everyone concerned with the turf. A notice posted at the office of the racing secretary, for instance, advises owners they may drop down to the city tax authorities, will out a few blanks, pay the tax and thus be eligible to enter horses at the Downs. Jockey F. A. Smith, the able lightweight who represents the Guild in these parts, says he has had no formal meeting of Guild members on the tax as it applies to riders, and that while he cant speak officially, he believes that most of the riders consider the tax to be "pretty small potatoes." Says Smith, "the tax in itself does not amount to much, but it is wrong in principle and is resented. We already pay a license to the State of Kentucky, and we think that should be enough." AAA Horses and People: Duval Headley s thoroughbred nursery, not more than a brassie shot from Keeneland race course, calls his estate "Manchester." The property was named at the suggestion of the mailman, who became a little annoyed at the mix-up in mail ensuing when the late Edward S. Moore moved from the property to establish himself on a portion of the old Col. E. R. Bradley farm. "This area used to be known as Manchester." explained the mailman, "and you would be doing Uncle Sams postmen a big favor if youd make the change." Headley did. Incidentally, Headley manages to keep quite busy. He operates the farm, raises thoroughbreds, of course, breaks yearlings and trains a stable of horses. . . . Coldstream Studs Charlie Kenney once served as an official on West Coast tracks. . . . Trainer H. C. Dobson advises that he has gone extra slowly this winter and spring with his up and coming crop of the progeny of Continued on Page Thirty-Nine BETWEEN RACES By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty-Four Alsab. They are so big this year that Ive had to give them plenty of time," he explains. He has three colts and three fillies which will be ready for "tops" at Arlington Park. . . . They say it is a colt year in Kentucky. Among the first eight foals to arrive at the Alsab farm, seven were colts and only one a filly. . . . When Try Ike was disqualified last week at Keeneland, it may be that a new record for prompt decisions in such matters was made. Try Ike swerved over in front of Monterey nearing the sixteenth pole, the stewards had made up their minds to disqualify before the horses reached the wire, and the change in numbers was made effective on the "tote" board as the horses were pulling up on the turn. AAA Moody Jolley has entered the ranks of thoroughbred breeders. His good stakes -winning filly, Picnic Lunch, has been retired and has been sent to Claiborne Studs ■Fighting Fox. Picnic Lunch has been Fbooked to Count Fleet for 1950. Jolley obtained the daughter of Requested for ,200 and she proved herself a bargain by annexing 7,000 in purses, including scores in the Rosedale and Rancocas. . . . West Coast advices are to the effect that Abe Murphy Hirschbergs Dinner Gong is shaping up as heavy favorite for the 0,000 mile and one -quarter Golden Gate Handicap on Saturday despite his top impost of 128 pounds. Dinner Gong is expected to provide either Coaltown or Citation with the solid contention come Hollywood Park summer racing. "We plan to ship either one or the other," advises owner Warren Wright. Calumet Farm will be making its fourth invasion of the West with a powerful string and it would appear about time the breaks began to fall the other way. The first time Calumet went west, the war came along to close the racing out that way, the second time Armed did not sustain his good form and was fourth in the 00,000 Santa Anita Handicap and last year, while Citation won the 0,000 Tan-foran Handicap, he popped an osselet which has effectively sidelined him since. AAA The many friends of William Phegley, manager of the John D. Hertz ranch, Amarillo at Canoga Park, will be happy to know that he is convalescing satisfactorily after being seriously injured. He was kicked by a horse. . . . Bull Hancock has obtained the name of "Escondida" for a chestnut daughter of Mahmoud — No Risk, she by Stimulus. "Escondida" is named for a whistle stop on the L. and N. Railroad, near Paris. "No horse every named for a spot in Bourbon County ever turned out just ordinary," observes Hancock, "and some have gone on to do mighty well."
