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JUDGES STAND by charles hatton LEXINGTON, Ky., May 18.— "I suppose Im about the luckiest man in racing," Joe Goodwin estimates. One must have luck, of course, but we should think a good horse helps, too, and the local auto dealer and sportsman has one in Papa Redbird. Trainer Johnny Zoeller had him very ready for the Curtain Up at Detroit, and the next morning we found him playing with jockey Willard Cook. "I plan to run him at the Fair Grounds once or twice more," Zoeller said, "then ship him over to New York. He is to be retired to the stud next winter." Probably, he will be pointed for the 5,000 Col. Alger Memorial at the MRA meet on Decoration Day, and, in this mile and a furlong, he may meet his old rival Shy Guy, who chased him in the Dick Welles and the Classic last summer. If it interests you, Papa Red-bird is by Balladier out of the Sickle mare Taj Bibi, whom Goodwin bought from Elmendorf for some negligible sum. He is a dark, almost liver-colored chestnut, and Goodwin says his name was suggested by a male redbird that lived on the lawn at Patchen Wilkes. Papa Redbird seemed to go off form toward the end of last summer, and it was said he had an unpleasant temper, but he is kind enough this season. He nips playfully at visitors, in the way fit horses do, without any thought of really hurting them. Papa Rjedbird was somewhat of a front runner at three, and he now rates along until they reach pay dirt. We shall probably hear from him again this summer. AAA Benny Civitello appears not to have lost the winning thread in moving from Maryland tracks to. Detroit. He was the leading rider back at Bowie and Havre de Grace, and one afternoon got into a rut and rode six winners. Civitello is a product of Newark, Dela., where he was i born on July 20, 1930, and he will have the apprentice Papa Redbird Prospect for Col. Alger Civitello in Good Form at Fair Grounds Clever Chicago Juveniles in Joliet Downs Horses Ship to Lincoln, Detroit allowance until June 11. He is under contract to Mrs. E. H. Augustus. Civitello tells us that he first was employed about the stables by Bob Duffy some three years ago, and gained his first riding experience at Mexico City in 47, when he rode in three races. He didnt win until last summer at Delaware Park, however. Once he got the hang of it, Civitello made steady progress. He rode against some of the most skillful veterans at Hialeah, in the winter, and learned a good deal by practice and observation. His first stakes winner was Allies Pal there. AAA The Lincoln club hardly could hope for a better situation than Washington Park for its meet, and it will almost certainly enjoy a successful run with any luck in weather conditions. Chicagoans are looking forward to seeing some of the more promising new two-yea-olds in action there on Saturday, when the 0,000 added Joliet Stakes is to be carded. This one is at five furlongs for colts and geldings, and usually it takes a good sort to win it. An interesting prospect for the race is Sigh Man, who is owned by Robert J. Diensts River Divide Stable. Dienst is the president of Beulah Park. Sigh Man won with impressive ease at Gulfstream Park and is one of the first crop by old Brief Sigh. Perhaps you know that Brief Sigh made a stud season and was returned to the races. Trainer Bob McGarvey may saddle a clever rival for him in Mrs.. Emil Denemarks stretch-running colt. Curtice, who was the runner-up to Old Tom in the 0,000 Bashford Manor Stakes on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Curtice is a Roman, but unlike most of that sires progeny, he isnt a particularly alert post horse. On the contrary, he gives the impression he will fare better when the distances of the two-year-old races are lengthened a bit. AAA Churchill Downs close on Saturday will make more fit horses available for both Lincoln-at-Washington and Detroit Fair Grounds. Oddly • enough, the spring turf season in the Middle West began with more racing material than ever, but only a fraction appear to have been ready, in spite of the open winter. The MRA meet began with about 400 horses. It has a good shart of what are called "name horses," but those ,500 purses for maidens probably attracted more strings. Racing secretary Charles McLennahs first book was a little tentative, and yet it required slight revision and no lextra races the first few days. Larry Bogenschutz writes the script for the entertainment both at the Downs and at Lincoln-at-Washington, which conflicts with the last week at Louisville. Sportsmans and the Downs each contributed to the Lincoln horse colony. The meet at Arlington will attract many more performers to the Middle West, and its stakes dates are coordinated with those at Detroit Fair Grounds, so that some of them may race at both courses. AAA Turf ana: AxDetroit trainer complained against stabling in one of the old Latonia barns. "Perhaps you would like to trade with Coldstream," someone suggested. P. S. — It has the least choice stable on the grounds. . . . MRA races are televised in the jockeys room. . . . Willard Cook often is confused with W. L., brother of L. C. Cook. " They are not related. . . . Dale Shaffer has a crew picking up any stones on the Michigan track. . . Charley Kenney is back in Lexington for a few days, inspecting the mares and foals. . . . H. P. Headley has a string at Detroit, including the filly Lithe.
