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: Jlilj JUDGES STAND *y CHARLES HATT0N CHURCHILL DOWNS. Louisville, Ky., May 4. — Ivan Parke already has saddled a Derby winner, of course, but he will be in a position to achieve a rather unique honor when he tightens the girth on Olympia here Saturday. "It would be especially nice to win this one because I bred this colt," the trainer reflected. "I dont suppose Ill ever breed another one." The Derby favorite is the first foal from the mare Miss Dolphin to come to the races, though it turns out he isnt quite the firse she produced. That was a filly who was very crooked and was not registered. It seems to us the Idahoan has done well to bring Olympia along as he has, for the colt still carries much hard flesh and muscle. It is, per-hape, not generally known, but Parke had also to overcome a bit of foot trouble. The soles of Olympias forefeet were particularly thin last season, and it was necessary for him to wear pads to protect them. "They have responded to treatment and are much better this spring." Parke noted, as the colt was shod this morning. Incidentally, he had hoped to run Olympia from behind in the Trial, with Ocean Drive forcing the early pace, but the Coldstream colt hadnt quite lick enough. Fast as the son of Heliopolis ran through the early stages of the Trial, his rider said that he was afraid to take any more hold of him. "I ran him from behind in a Chicago stake last summer, you know, and I think he can be rated if it seems to be the thing to do." the trainer said. I only hope it isnt muddy on Saturday." There was some question, three weeks ago. whether Bewitch was going on the road with the others of Ben Jones string or going to Calumet Farm to be bred. We dont suppose there is any doubt about it after she set a track record in 1:10%, and she may reappear in the Churchill Downs Handicap. The newest of the stables series of good fillies qualified for the Oaks when Wistful won the mile Modesty the same afternoon. In March of 1947. the farm manager, Paul Ebelhardt. made a report Ivan Parke Seeks Unique Derby Honor Wistful Makes Prophet of Ebelhardt Plaut Has Suggestion on Handicapping Foresee More Than 110,000 for Derby on the yearlings for the office files. Of Wistful he noted, "This is a real good filly, powerful body, very striking." He can say that again, after the Modesty. She left the backstretch with only two horses beaten, and Lady Dorimar on a long lead, then won pricking her ears in 1:38. Its going to be interesting to see this half-sister to Coaltown meet Tall Weeds again in the Oaks. AAA In the course of a discussion of handicapping, Lincoln Plaut gave it as his opinion that "Perhaps there should be two sets, one for mud and the other for a fast track, since a change in track conditions can alter the form of some of the entrants in a very marked degree. Of course it would then be necessary to appoint an individual, or possibly a committee, to pass on the track conditions, which would determine the weights to be carried." The author of the Yardstick may have something there. The players can note the mud form of the entrants in a handicap and place their wagers accordingly, but the handicapper cannot give each one the same chance in releasing his weights five or ten days in advance of the race with any more accuracy than the almanac can prophesy the weather. Plaut calls attention also to another matter which often has a bearing on the accuracy of handicaps, particularly those at sprint distances. "Post positions make a great doftl of difference," he said. "If two horses of equal speed atf,d weight meet and one draws inside, the other the outsidU, there is an appreciable advantage for the inside horfi, as his rival would have to run several lengths farther Uider the best circumstances." Its a consideration that many players might profitably think about. AAA Col. Matt Winns genius as a turf promoter is well known, but if you want some figures, these show that about one of every six persons in the Three Fall Cities go to the Derby. If this average were true in aras in which the populations are counted by millions, you can see what prodigies of architecture would be necessary to hold the crowds. The architecture at Churchill Downs is a hodgepodge of old and new designs in racing plants, but since he took over 40 years ago, Colonel Winn has increased the seating capacity from 10,000 to approximately 50,000. Though the Downs is less large than Soldiers Field, and scarcely rivals the Taj Mahal for aesthetic appeal, it is easily the biggest stadium at any United States track. The club has plans for further developments in the inner field, to accommodate the plant to the increasing interest in the Derby. Among other things it is proposed to have subterranean mutuels and restaurants. Experts in these things estimate that in order to be fully adequate a track should have seats for about 60 per cent of its largest crowds. It seems to us pretty remarkable that the Downs comes so close to conforming to this figure, though its Derby gate has been estimated to exceed 100,000 for the past several years. AAA Turfana : Russell Sweeney foresees a Derby Day crowd of more than 110,000. . . . Buck Weavers condition is reported slightly improved. . . . Detroit Fair Grounds Dale Shaffer has a rooting interest in The Fat Lady in Fridays Oaks. Johns Joy in Saturdays Derby. ... A wagonload of mint will be dunked in juleps by Stevens caterers on the big day. . . . Starter Ruby White thinks the 14-stall gate will accommodate this Derby field. . . . Downs patrons will see jockeys Ted Atkinson, Eddie Arcaro, Conn McCreary and apprentice Gordon Glisson in action this week. . . . Atkinson has not decided between Wine List and Capot as a Derby mount, but trainer Gaver seems to fancy Capot has the better chance of running under the roses.
