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No Happier Man in U. S. Than Conn McCreary Count Turfs Rider Says Mount Was Free of Trouble at All Times By BOB HORWOOD Staff Correspondent CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 5. — There was no happier man in the United States than Conn McCreary, as he posed for photographers in the jocks room after winning the Derby on Count Turf. McCreary buried his nose in the bouquet of roses and said, "They smell real sweet, kind of like money." Asked jokingly if he had any excuses, the mighty mite said, "Yeah, I didnt bet on him." The rider went on to say that he had actually had no trouble at any stage, adding, "Thats true of any Derby winner, including Pensive. You cant have any trouble and win this one." McCreary won the "Run for the Roses" on Pensive in 1944. Eddie Arcaro, who finished out of the money on Cain Hoy Stables favored Battle Morn, said, "I started to run up on Ruhes heels and nearly fell, but we werent going to win anyway. Ive said all along that no horse could surprise me in this years Derby." Paul Bailey, who rode Sam E. Wilson, Jr.s, Royal Mustang into second place, said, "We fired our best shot and just got tired." Owner Wilson said, "That boy moved too soon, but he wont do it the next time." Apprised of- this, Bailey was not surprised. "We moved when we had the chance," he said. Ted Atkinson seemed pleased that he had picked Hall of Fame instead of Big Stretch and said he had encountered a little bad luck. Doug Dodson, who rode Big Stretch, said that colt sulked all the way. Ray Adair said the same of C. V. Whitneys Mameluke, who seemed to refuse to run. At this point, Arcaro remarked, "Look at the past performances. Mameluke never did run except in mud, but people had me almost believing he could." Pete McLean, who piloted Repetoire, said, "I think the track was too hard and stung him some. He changed stride at the quarter pole and didnt act right after that." Steve Brooks, who rode Fanfare for Calumet Farm, said, "I was shut off by Ruhe around the five-sixteenths pole, but that little horse was getting tired anyway." Jimmy Stout, pilot of Timely Reward, said, "The colt was laboring all the way." None of the other riders had any excuses to offer. The field was remarkably calm and quiet in the paddock, with King Clover, Fanfare, who had been warmed up, and Hall of Fame the only ones to even show a trace of sweat. The Whitney pair, Mameluke and Counterpoint, were the last to reach the paddock, which was thronged with owners and trainers.
