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BETWEEN RACES By Oscar Otis HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif./ May 22. — Funeral services will be held tomorrow for Thomas W. Simmons, chairman of the board of Hollywood Park. His life was well portrayed in the local press as a businessman who had done much to promote American ideals through the world, especially his talents in India in helping the Indian government build irrigation systems to help feed the hungry of Asia. But the press did overlook one significant fact, namely, the great contribution that he made to racing and breeding in southern California and that it was through a common interest in the thoroughbred that he was able to do as much as he did abroad in a humanitarian way. In other words, his knowledge of horses was matched by that of the Indian dignitaries, and this common meeting ground made the solution of other problems a lot easier. Simmons never received the credit in life which he deserved for his ablepromtion of the best interests of racing and the major role he played in the development of summer racing at Hollywood Park into the magnificent plant that it is today. While he was president of Hollywood Park for some five years, his work was accomplished quietly, but was nonetheless effective. Also, it might be added that his accomplishments with thoroughbreds were made the hard way, for that elusive element called "luck" seemed to evade him. It is this factor which makes his part in the thoroughbred empire all the more impressive. AAA Simmons became interested in the building of Hollywood Park through v civic interest, feeling that, a summer meeting in southern California, of the proper kind, would be good for the area and the state. Once he became interested in Hollywood, he also became interested in thoroughbreds, and, on his first trip to the East in the interest of Hollywood Park, he carried a commission to buy several good horses for Calif ornians who wanted worthwhile stock to race-at the summer meeting. You may remember that while Santa Anita always attracted good horses from the very start, by virtue of its winter dates, Hollywoods progress had to be made from scratch because there werent too many western owners at that time with good horses, and the eastern stables quite logically wished to race at Santa Anita only in the winter. His attention was directed to a horse called Pasteurized, and he made an offer, which was accepted, and a down deposit made. A phone call to California, for final approval, was made, and one well meaning friend advised against it. Simmons then decided to buy Pasteurized for his own account, but * Simmons Did Much for L.A. Racing* Luck Eluded Turfman in Ventures Max Bell Colt in Epsom Derby Indian Hemp to Race in U.S.A. was talked out of that. Anyway, the deal was called off, and Pasteurized went on to win the Belmont Stakes. He spent much of his time in those early years of Hollywood Park working to attract good stables to Hollywood Park, a project in which he succeeded. His interest turned to breeding in later years, and his Suzy-Q Ranch near Puente became one of the show places of the state. It was ironic that perhaps the first good horse he had raised himself at the farm, Glenbar, should have come along shortly before his death. Not that many good horses were not produced at Suzy-Q., [ but most of them were not for his own account. Indeed, his goal of assembling a fine band of mares was just being attained at the time of his death, "and the results, naturally, would not have become apparent for a few more years. AAA Johnny Longden has turned down, with regrets, an invitation to ride Indian Hemp in the English Derby, but we do learn that Indian Hemp will be" shipped to the United States in July and American racing fans will have the pleasure of seeing him under silks late this fall and this coming whiter. Indian Hemp is the property of Calgarys Max Bell, a rather fabulous young fellow who seems on his way toward becoming a major factor in Americari sport. Bell? is the publisher of the daily newspaper in Calgary, the "Albertan" and is better-known now in Canada as the owner of a vast stable of oil wells in petroleum rich Alberta. Bell also purchased Royal Serenade, a fast horse by Royal Charger, the latter just missing of syndication as a stallion in this country. The chances of Royal Charger ever- coming to America are now dim because the Irish have risen up in wrath against the idea of Royal Charger leaving the shamrock island. While BelL has been breeding in a modest way in Canada for the last several years, we understand that Indian Hemp may be the foundation of a first class stud he plans to establish in this country, a plan which he has, had for several years, but which is now possible because of the freeing of the Canadian dollar. Indian Hemp is a three-year-old son of Nashrullah from the good mare, Sabzy, she by Stardust, and he in turn hy Hyperion. Sabzys dam, Sarita, is a Swynford mare," and her bottom line goes to Pretty Polly. Insofar as American bloodlines are concerned, you couldnt wish for much better, as Nasrullah is deemed next to priceless at Claiborne, and the deserved popularity of the Hyperion line needs no elaboration ►here. Bell tells us that his agents in England are confident the colt will give a good account of himself in the Derby even though about 40 starters are in prospect. Before Indian Hemps last race, his trainer, Marsh, had virtually secured a promise fom Gordon Richards that he would ride, but unfortunately for Bell, Monarch More, a colt by Midas, ran so prominently in the race that his owner is now almost certain to start him at Epsom, and he has a claim on Richards. Bell and his advisors are now seeking a suitable rider for Indian Hemp after the Longden refusal. In turning down the mount Longden remarked, "I should be in a race in England .on a real Derby contender with 40 horses. I know my own limitations, and ,1 would not be quite as much at home in the English Derby as in an American stake race." AAA Prank More OFarrell, one of Bells advisors, cabled him that Indian Hemp was unlucky to lose the Newmarket Stakes in question. Says OFarrell, "The race was run in fast time, but Doug Smith, who rode your colt, "did not carry out the instructions Marsh gave him. Had he done so, he must have; won by a good three lengths in my opinion, and this was shared by many less prejudiced onlookers. Marsh had particularly requested that he should not -leave his effort too late, but send the colt to. the front at least two furlongs out. . Unfortunately, the pilot thought better, and delayed his run until; the last 200 yards. It is not a good thing to blame jockeys when you lose, but in this case, there was no other alternative. I am convinced that many qf the 40 runners in the Derby will not prove themselves stayers, indeed, many of them already have indicated tins fault. We were, all bitterly disappointed,, as we had hoped so much to be able to cable you that he had won this important Newmarket Stakes event. On the other hand, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a remarkably good investment, and Sir Humphrey de Trafford told me yesterday that he felt he had been all too hasty in accepting our offer." In any event, the purchase of Indian Hemp will give America a real rooting interest in the Epsom Classic, for while Bell is a Canadian, his interests in America are extensive and his future racing plans, call for his major racing activities to be in the United States while keeping a small division active on the prairie circuit of R. James Speers. Incidentally, Ray Bell, the man responsible for bringing Windy City n. to America, was active with Frank More OFarrell in interesting Bell in buying In-rdian Hemp. And it could be added that Bell, who raced Windy City IT. to such brilliant successes in Europe, now has another stakes winner abroad, a chestnut colt* three-year-old named Boltown Lad, whose last race was a victory in the Fitz William Plate.
