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Middleground Now On Derby Scene Lotowhite Also Makes Trek From East; Hill Prince and Theory Work Out at Downs By TEDDY COX CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., April 29. — King Ranchs Middleground and Hal Price Headleys Lotowhite were tucked in their stalls shortly after the noon hour today after an uneventful, fast train ride from New York. Their presence in the stabling area brought an end to the steady influx of Kentucky Derby aspirants since last week. Neither Middleground or Lotowhite will start in ;the Derby Trial on Tuesday, but will get their finishing touches of their prep in morning spins. Of the two belated arrivals, Middle-ground "outlooked" his traveling companion by a "million lengths." The Head-ley colt seemed considerable on the lean side, as compared to what seemed to be perfection personified on the part of the King Ranch star, a colt who figures as the strongest kind of threat in the "Run for the Roses." His rich chestnut coat shined like velvet and he carries abundant flesh, a tribute to trainer Max Hirschs training. Usually, after long, hard preps and difficult races in the East, horses coming here for the Derby are lean and drawn. Attractive Colt on Parade Those who inspected the colt upon his arrival agreed that while he may not beat either Your Host or Hill Prince in the mile and one-quarter special next Saturday, he certainly will be the most prepossessing horse in the parade. Accompanying Middleground were his faithful groom, Maurilo Mendiatta, his exercise boy, Jose Garcia, who has been one of the top men in the Hirsch organization for several years, and a night watchman. Garcia was the exercise boy for Assault, winner of the 46 Derby, in addition to many other leaders saddled by the grizzled veteran. Middleground did not wear any bandages during the journey, while Lotowhites feet were heavily wrapped. Hirsch told the writer several years ago that he does not believe in using bandages on his horses during, long trips. He related that on one occasion he shipped one of his best horses for a stakes and when the bandages became loose they became entangled with the Continued on Page Four I 1 Middleground Now On Derby Scene Lotowhite Also Makes Trek From East; Hill Prince and Theory Work Out at Downs Continued from Page One horses legs and the horse was severely injured. Jake Lowenstein, long a close friend of Hirsch supervised the unloading of Middle-grounds and "he sure looks good" was his comment, as he walked into the back end of the train where the colt was standing. Carl Meyer, a former star jockey, who now is one of Headleys assistant trainers, accompanied Lotowhite. Middlegrounds condition was the topic of much chatter, along with a pair of fine workouts on the part of Hill Prince and Theory. The angular Chenery speedster was drilled a half mile in :48% and the manner in which he picked up speed in the and late phases of the abbreviated trial caused ~* many to observe that he is a very sharp, well-conditioned horse at the present time, in spite of the fact that he ran a .slight fever on the night of his arrival here. His regular exercise boy, Bobby Judy, who weighs about 114 pounds, was in the saddle and encountered some trouble getting the big colt to pull up, during which he completed five-eighths in 1:01%. Roscoe Goose, one of the most colorful figures on the backstretch, reported that he caught Hill Prince going the last eighth of a mile in 11 seconds, but the professional dockers commented that the former rider probably was "using the watch he snaps when hes trying to sell a horse." Theory went six furlongs and had Steve Brooks in the saddle. The colt accomplished the move in :24, :49 and 1:15. Brooks flew his own plane in here from California last night. He had the Calumet runner well In hand throughout. Trainer Ben A Jones, who was not in the stabling area while the other Calumet horses were working this morning because of a severe cold, arrived in time to supervise Theorys trial. He seemed well satisfied and said he will run the colt in the Derby Trial. "~" Your Host in Long Gallop Your Host, who presently looms as the Derby favorite, galloped a mile and one-eighth this morning: Oil Capitol, who continues to show improvement both in appearance and actions, was walked for a half an hour around the shed under saddle. The Brookmeade pair, Greek Ship and Sunglow, were walked, after engaging in a brisk six furlongs workout yesterday after the noon hour. Mr. Trouble, impressive victor in the Blue Grass Stakes, galloped once around the course. Trainer Harry Trotsek reported this morning that he has tentatively engaged Ted Atkinson to ride his other charge. Lot O Luck, in the Derby. He has hopes that the big colt will flash considerable speed In the Derby Trial. Atkinson became available for an outside Derby mount, when his contract employer, the Greentree Stable, failed to come up a representative. Its one hope, Guillotine, has apparently stamped himself as a sprinter, pure and simple, and was not shipped here. Trainer Preston Burch, who arrived here yesterday in time to see Sunglow and Greek Ship work, today said that Jack Robertson will handle Sunglow in the Derby Trial, with "Scamp" Errico astride Greek Ship, Earl Steffen, who trains Wol-lorene Farms Trumpet King, said he has engaged Hedley Woodhouse for the Trial, and that the boy also will ride him in the Derby if he measures up on Tuesday. The most attractive race on Mondays program is a six-furlong dash for ,000-0,000 claiming sprinters. In this test the veteran, Walkie Talkie, is listed to shoulder 124 pounds and on the strength of his excellent form at Keeneland he probably will be heavily supported. Opposing him will be My Sister, Acme, Big Ping, Spring Chimes, Cock Feather, Floating, Frere Jacques and Scotch Bim. In point of class, the third race is the best, for here a band of two-year-olds, several of whom are believed to have promise as stakes runners, will compete at five furlongs.
