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———_____ BETWEEN RACES * 0SCAR 0TIS CHURCHILL DOWNS. Louisville. Ky., May 7. — Horses and People: The Washington State Racing Commission has under advisement a proposal to change the claiming rules, i.e., to conform with the Florida laws providing that only the winner of a race be forced to run back for 25 per cent more. . . . Incidentally, one of the greatest horses ever foaled in Washington, the 10-year-old Prince Ernest, has bowed while in training at Hollywood Park, and his owner. Joseph Gott-- stein, of Longacres, will retire him to a life of ease at the Rimrock Ranch in southern California. Prince Ernest started 60 times, won 21 times, placed 15, and was 10 times third. In his last 30 starts, he was only out of the money three times. Prince Ernest was bred by Edwin J. Brown, the New Jersey state steward. Perhaps the Princes greatest race was at Hollywood Park in 1945 when he was beaten a nose by High Resolve in the then worlds record time, 1:22, for the seven furlongs. . . . Willie Molter is a versatile horseman, it seems. Last Sunday, at San Franciscos Golden Gate Park, he participated in an impromptu afternoon of sport before 5,000 fans, drove in two trots, rode in three quarter-horse races, winning one. We understand the multitude gave Molter an ovation. Some recalled he had once tried his hand at steeplechasing, as well as at flat riding. . . . Edward Lasker and Mildred Woolwine have each taken a share in the famed Australian, Shannon II., now standing at Spendthrift. The shares were acquired from Neil McCarthy. Shannon II., incidentally, is regarded by Molter Proves Himself Versatile Horseman Leslie Combs Improves Band of Broodmares Myrtle Charm Reserved for Fall Classics Dixiana to Commute During Summer Months Kentuckians as one of the best sire prospects to "reside" here in many a year. AAA Leslie Combs II. has added to his band of topflight broodmares at Spendthrift. Among them are San Rival, a daughter of Sansovino out of a Fairway mare: Brora, by Bosworth by Son-in-Law from a Phalaris mare: Avilon, a daughter of Sir Gallahad III. from a Roi Herode mare; Dowry, a California-bred daughter of Beau Pere from a Solario mare, and San Sanvosino from a Swynford mare. Dowry, incidentally, is due to foal shortly to Thumbs Up, and will be bred back to War Jeep. . . . Speaking of Spendthrift, the yearlings by Bernborough have attracted uniformly good comments on the part of farm visitors. ... A preliminary check by Brownie Leach indicated that sales of the Seventy-Fifth Diamond Jubilee Derby Book will exceed expectations. Whenever people found the books available, sales were exceptionally brisk. The profusely illustrated volume was well worthy of the public support it attracted. . . . Many now on hand are looking forward to 1974, when the Derby will celebrate its one-hundredth birthday. AAA Myrtle Charm, after going into the "dry dock" for minor repairs, is currently soaking up the sunshine and destroying blue grass at Spendthrift. Myrtle Charm will not be returned to the racing wars until late summer or early fall. . . Kentuckians are of an opinion that one of the top horses of the breeders sales this July will be the colt by Menow — Risk, now romping in a spacious Claiborne paddock, will be among the "most sought after" by bidders. Risk is a half-sister to the famous broodmare. Risque Reigh, and is the dam of such as Sky Larking. Little Risk, Dainger Point, Beaugay and Pericles. . . . Jockey Fritz Weidaman has given up the saddle after a long battle against weight, now eats his fill and has taken a post with Calumet Farms as an exercise boy. Weidaman, whose most impressive victory perhaps was with No Competition in the Bay Meadow* Handicap of 1941. is one of the few riders who ever "came back" after sustaining a broken back in a spill. AAA It is understood that the directors of the Breeders Sales Company, which annually stages the brilliant Keeneland vendues, both summer and fall, will favorably consider an amendment to the by-laws of their organization which would permit members to sell their stock at auction elsewhere besides Keeneland. Under the existing rules, members are obligated by contract not to sell elsewhere except by private treaty. The point has arisen where some breeders, whose stock in past years and from all indications will remain so in future years, may be deemed as "pillars of the sale," also breed elsewhere, and are thus barred from offering their produce, conceived, foaled and developed out of Kentucky, in sales provided by organizations in other states. The rec- Continued on Page Forty-Three c s c r t l C a C r | J 1 i £ j , I 1 j . ■ I l i , . : 1 j , BETWEEN RACES t By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty-Four ords of "bargains" and good horses obtained from the breeders sales pretty well speak for themselves, and the proponents O of the change in rules say that the sales need no such artificial protection, if pro- [T tection it can be termed. As a matter of fact, such a change in the rules might work 8* out to the advantage of Kentucky breeding -j as a whole and enlarge the market. To cite one state, as an example, California members of the breeders association may sell their stock regardless of where foaled, q as long as their membership in the breed- to ers group is in good standing. Quite a few 5 * Californians are maintaining mares in Kentucky, while several others have farms 3* in both states. Given an opportunity to sell Kentucky offsprings in California 0 sales, these breeders might do much to improve the quality of the horse in the „■ West, as well as the market. AAA S- . Jack Hodgins, the astute trainer for Dix- . iana, is rather intrigued at the prospect _ for what might be termed "commuting -racing" this summer between Arlington -j and/or Washington Park in Chicago and *». Detroit. The powerful Dixiana string, *° headed by Shy Guy, will campaign on both fronts and will rely upon vans to move the stake horses from one battle ground to the other. The journey by motor takes about eight hours, certainly not unduly hard on a thoroughbred of even high-strung temperament, if not downright distasteful. Plans are, if a horse races in a stakes on Saturday in one locale, to van the next Monday to the other and train up to the next engagement on the grounds where the next stakes engagement will be filled. Incidentally, Hodgins ■ is quite enthusiastic about the prospects of Spy Song in the stud. "Spy Song earned more than 00,000 in what might be termed sprinting," says Hodgins, "but he could travel a distance of ground as well. We thought we could win the Kentucky Derby with him at three and, while it was his misfortune to run into Assault that year, he acquitted himself with distinction. He set the early pace rather boldly and, while he yielded to Assault, he held on stubbornly for the place and finished well in front of some well-known names including Rippey and With Pleasure." Spy Song, incidentally, has a rather enviable book for his first year at court. The Fishers, of course, are sending some notable producers, including Tootsie-1 cake, the dam of Shy Guy, and many of the "outside bookings" show comparable merit.
