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: Blue Grass Happenings By HUGH J. McGUIRE TVKeepsHorse Capitol Up on Races Unable to See Dancer Win Derby . New Method of TCA Selections LEXINGTON, Ky., Aug. 29. There are many pros and cons that must be confronted when the question of televising j , : , 1 important stake races is considered and it is hardly within the province of this column to question the prerogative of track management in accepting or declining such ventures. But we can say that there are many residents -of this "horse capitoi of the world" who were sorely d is a p p o inted when they were unable to witness the running of Native Dancers American Derby and they expressed themselves freely to us on the subject. This, in itself, is hardly grounds for a paragraph but we were struck but the fact that in making comment on the subject, the several breeders Who spoke to us almost invariably added that others riot connected with the thoroughbred had expressed disappointment that almost reached the point of resentment. It has been some time since a horse has captured the whole-hearted interest of those outside the sport as has the gray son of Polynesian. Man o War and Citation had their day and did their part to popularize racing: and they did it without television. But it may be that this medium, could reach and influence favorably citizens in areas where racing; is not presented and thus relieve to some degree the admitted need for national education on the sport. Charles Kenney was just one who expressed himself on this matter when he said: "It could help , put racing on the same plane as it is in England where everyone knows horses. Right now I doubt if Arthur Godfrey would outdraw Native Dancer." Selection of the. guest of honor for the annual testimonial dinner of the Thoroughbred Club of America is riot to be made by a vote of the entire club membership as we were led to believe. Instead, each member is invited to mail to the secretary his choice for the honor and the directors will decide from this pool where the laurels shall fall, though not necessarily to the one most often mentioned. This is taken "as a wiser method than a straight election which might leave some ill-feeling in its wake. We are inclined, however, to question the complete perfection of the new method if only because the member recommending a, nominee must sign his suggestion which removes the project from that of the treasured secret bal-. lot. While presidents, governors and mayors are often photographed casting ballots that we must presume are marked for themselves, we find it difficult to visualize exalted members of the Thoroughbred Club suggesting themselves for the honor over their own signatures. Yet the man who would not openly vote for himself nor ask Continued on Page Forty-Three Blue Grass Happenings By HUGH J. McGUIRE Continued from Page Two others to do so is more likely, perhaps, to be of the type deserving the honor. Jack Howard tells us that the three mares bought in foal from the Aga Khan by Joe W. Brown at Keeneland last year are now in foal to Browns stallions Brown King and King Dorsett, who stand at Howards Rookwood Farm. All three marcs delivered the foals they carried from across the water without incident, and Howard is well pleased with these youngsters. Hastra, who sold for 30,000, has a chestnut colt by Niccolo Dell Area and is in foal to the South American Brown King. Ndara, 3,000, has a brown colt by Petition and is in foal to King Dorsett. Also in foal to that sire is Gan-dria, 7,500, who has a chestnut filly by Souverain. Howard currently is breaking 30 yearlings, 24 for Brown and six for Ben F. Whitakpr, and of these he is particularly impressed by Browns colts by Rico Monte Posie and War Admiral-Betty Johnson. He is also quite satisfied with the appearance of the colts by Requested and My Request that he purchased for Whitaker at the Keeneland sale. This year Howard bred 37 mares, of whom 30 are in foal. Of his own five mares, four are in foal. Blades of Blue Grass: Ira Drymon went to Sarasota, Fla., to attend the funeral of his -father, James, who died following a two-day illness. He was 85. Other survivors include his wife, two other sons and three daughters. . .Col. Phil T. Chinn sent seven yearlings that he had broken and trained to T. B. Benson at the latters ranch at Refugio, Tex... Tom Bennett, manager of Sam Looks Hillandale Farm, dropped in to remind us that the recent victory of Gizeh at Washington Park put his sire, Mighty Story, in the position of having 100 per cent winners from 17 starters in his first crop.
