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Canadian Topics . By FRANK ARMSTRONG Canadian Interest in English Derby Blue Sail Alberta Ranches Entrant Victory Would Establish Precedent WOODBINE PARK, Toronto, Ont., May 29. — Canadians have more than a passing interest in the impending English Derby, .JL*A*4.l,Vand famed Epsom XJ|JOUlll classic V/ACAOVjA .JL*A*4.l,Vand XJ|JOUlll V/ACAOVjA which comes up for renewal on June 2. The 175th running may possibly be marked by the first victory in history for Canadian owners. Alberta Ranches, the syndicate of Canadian sportsmen who ventured to the English and Irish thoroughbred sales marts with-remarkable success during the past few years Royal Serenade, Indian Hemp, et al have one of the leading contenders in the Irish-bred Blue Sail. Veteran Johnny Longden who might be termed a Canadian inasmuch as he was brought from his native England to western Canada in his childhood days, takes on one of the most important assignments of an illustrious jockey career. If he pilots Blue Sails to victory at Epsom Downs, he will establish a precedent. Canuck turfgoers are rooting for success. Max Bell, Calgary publisher, oil baron and above all a thoroughbred enthusiast, stopped off in Toronto for a few days of racing en route to the British Isles. We imagine hes the head man of the wealthy group which comprises the Alberta Ranches syndicate, but always the spokesman. Bell related that when he was in Ireland, he heard trainer Paddy Prendergast declare that a colt by the name of Blue Sail, was the best he ever had." The colt was owned by Joe Griffin who had the satisfaction of winning two Grand National handicaps. Bell informed Prendergast that he would be interested "if the owner wants to sell." Griffin and Bell eventually agreed on a sales price which transferred ownership to the Canucks and thus the possibility of Canadas first English Derby victory. Blue Sail is by the St. Leger winner, Tehran, out of Set Sail, a mare by a Derby winner. Theres some hope from that background of a proven good colt. There is additional interest in this Derby with Johnny Longden aboard Blue Sails and Sir Gordon Richards on the Queens colt, Landau. This may be a duel between two veteran jockeys who have won more races between them than any other pair in the history of the turf. A few columns ago, we wrote of a mare called Alice Farley, quoting one of the local Pappy guys to the effect that she had won six races on six successive days at the old Windsor Jockey Club course. We appreciate a correction from Clem McCarthy, who was around and about Ontario tracks in the gay nineties and at the turn of the century. Clem, of course, in the opinion of this partment, has few equals as a turf authority in America. He has covered every phase of the turf sport here and there, and perhaps his earliest education was in this sector. Says Clem: "I knew Alice Farley well. Dont let anyone tell you she won six races in six days at Windsor. Nothing like it. She won on two successive days, but never ran on six successive days. I am not relying on memory, but have looked in the book. Louis Ezell had a mare, The Lady, that he shipped from Chicago to Windsor in 1900 and she won four races in a row on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and the following Tuesday. Alice Farley came to New York in the autumn of 1898, but was unlucky enough to run into Briar Sweet, then at her best. But that year I saw her run a dead heat with Maximo Gozez at Sheeps-head Bay she was a good mare." This department never tires of listening to turf tales of the past, even though they trace back to a time before our own existence. So if we miss a beat at times, we fail to qualify for age, though making progress to the pappy guy stage after having been brought up in the environment of the turf. Emerson .Davis, another veteran, or should we suggest a graduate of Canadian racing, was at Woodbine for a few days of sport this week. He supervised a division of the Stafford Farms stable which had been in his care at Keeneland since early spring. He brought them back fit and ready to run. Emerson has long since deserted Canada for Kentucky, and is now looked upon as a sort of legendary Blue Grass figure among the Canucks. Owner, trainer, breeder, horse trader, his advice in all departments is sought by turfmen hereabouts. It was 20 years ago or more when he trained the stable owned by Conny Smythe, hockey impresario Toronto. Continued M Page Eighteen Canadian Topics I By FRANK ARMSTRONG Continued from Page Four Maple Leafs when Shoeless Joe was the star of the string. Davis had designs on a Belmont Futurity with the colt andthough he didnt quite match the class of the field, he ran a better than fair race. Said Davis: "He was a good horse, though hardly top class." Shoeless Joe won several stakes on the Canadian circuit. Reminiscing on early days of racing hereabouts, Davis recalled Hillcrest Race track, a half-miler which was built around a cabbage patch and played to a roaring business before the days of the mutuels. He recalled Ching Hare as the ring master of the books and his assistant Fred Nasmith, and Sam McBride, mayor of Toronto, who was a director and official. Emerson reckoned that it was about 1913 and remarked that Clem McCarthy was there too. "He has a better memory for dates than I have. Hell enlighten you with more detail.
