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Louisville Sport Center Of United States Today Visitors Jam City as 100,000 Crowd Is Expected for Classic By OSCAR OTIS CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 1. — As all roads once led to Rome, so tomorrow all paths Will lead to south Louisville and the ancient Churchill Downs race course, setting for the seventy-ninth running of the Kentucky Derby. Every modern method of transportation was pressed into service to take care of the crowd of 100,000 or more converging upon Louisville, streets and hotel lobbies were packed, and the Derby was almost the sole topic of conversation. Even though Native Dancer rules a solid favorite, interest has been heightened rather than decreased by the gray son of Polynesians status. The excitement stemmed from the fact that fans felt they would find out whether Native Dancer was among the horses entitled to be ranked with the all-time greats, or whether he would be defeated by one of the other strong contenders in the Derby field. Whatever the answer, they wanted to see it for themselves. Although plane travel reached a new peak, the old iron horse of the railroad has seemed to lose none of its popularity as a means of getting to Derbytown. The tours, from most every part of the nation, have taken on the color of a festive junket, a color that adds much to the enjoyment of thousands of Derby day visitors and which cannot seemingly be matched by a pro- Continued on Page Fifteen All Roads Lead to Louisville as City Is Jammed With Visitors to See Derby Crowd of 100,000 or More ] Will Journey to Churchill Today to Witness Classic Continued from Page One saic plane ride. Indeed, countless people seem to feel that the festivity and fiesta air of a special train trip to the Derby is as much a part of the race tradition as the running itself. Visitors from the far corners of the earth were met in Louisville with traditional southern hospitality. As usual, downtown Louisville was decked out in bunting and decorations, all with an equine motif and crowds blocked the sidewalks before business establishments which had display windows of a Derby nature which were both lavish and spectacular. In addition to the tenseness and excitement which a Derby seems to generate, visitors did not have far to go to find activity. The hotels and night clubs had special entertainment, and the towns restaurants reported a rushing business. While the leading hotels were sold out, thousands found lodging places for a night or two in private homes. The city of Louisville cooperated to help Derby visitors enjoy themselves to the utmost. Today, the police of the city and Kentucky State police in outlying sectors worked overtime to expedite motor traffic into the city. Tomorrow full crews will be on duty to see tha the people get to and from the track with little or no delay. A system of one way streets, all leading to the track, have been designated by the traffic au- ► thorities. These streets will be reversed late Derby afternoon. In addition, about 5,000 signs have been posted pointing out the quickest way to the race course. The one way street system, by the way, has been clearly marked. No parking zone regulations will be strictly enforced. Not all of the Derby crowd was from "far away places." Thousands came over or are coming from Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, Ohio and Indiana cities. Texas, as usual, was well represented. Many Derby visitors came earlier than usual this year, indeed, "Derby Week" was the liveliest this correspondent has seen in several years. Boiled down, the story of the crowd simply adds up to "a lot of people." In spite of the estimated more than 100,000 either on hand or due to arrive tomorrow, it was nonetheless an orderly crowd, and there were very, very few "incidents" to mar the enjoyment of the Derby. The crowd seems to be as much a part of the Derby as anything else. Prices, incidentally, were kept to a minimum at most places, although some restaurants did raise prices today and for tomorrow with the explanation that "race track visitors will not be satisfied with anything less than the best." The most frequently ordered dish was "Kentucky ham and red gravy." Visitors, incidentally, have been urged to use public transportation to and from the track, if possible, and leave their cars parked elsewhere. By doing this, much time will be saved. Cabs, for instance, have special streets to use to and from the downtown area, streets which are well patrolled by officers schooled to keep traffic moving, and fast.
