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, . ; A Twenty -Two in Epsom Derby; Long den to Pilot Blue Sail Ace American Jockey Rides i Winner Over Downs Course; Two U. S. Racers in Field Special to Daily Racing Form EPSOM DOWNS, Epsom, England, June 1 Reuters. Johnny Longden, 45-year-old ace American jockey, today rode a winner over part of the Epsom Derby course on which tomorrow he will ride Alberta Ranches Blue Sail in Britains-top classic test. Astride Lord Cadogans three-year-old colt, Bird Song, in the Durdans Stakes at 10 furlongs, Longden excelled to beat the 3-to-l favorite, Langley, ridden by Manny Mercer, by a neck in a photo finish. It was a great feat for Americas veteran rider in his first appearance on the course to beat Mercer, one of Britains best young riders in a tight finish. The English jockey Frankie Durr, originally engaged for Bird Song, sportingly gave upthe mount to allow Longden to gain actual race experience over the famed downs. Longden showed that the Derby course with its Tattenham Corner, its sharp left-hand turn, had no problems for him. Bird Song, by Chanteur Tweets, who paid 7 to 1, was far back in the early stages, but Longden pushed him into a good position along the rail and dashed around Tattenham Corner to the homestretch where he gradually overhauled the leaders. Jatch-ing Mercer on the favorite 100 yards out, Longden forced Bird Song home in a driving finish to win in 2:081and. Goggles Unfamiliar to British Racegoers Johnny wore goggles which he pulled over his eyes as he came into line at the start. He was given a great reception as he rode back to weigh in, removing his goggles, unfamiliar to British race fans, as the combination pulled up. The smiling Longden said on dismounting, "I was lucky to get a good run throughout. I like the Epsom track very much and feel at home on it. My mount was about fifth coming into the homestretch and I gave him one crack with the whip and he went on and won. I was confident before the result of the photo finish was announced." Asked if he had adapted Continued on Page Five . i hi i Mini i mi. i I JOCKEY JOHNNY LONGDEN American rider who will have mount on Blue Sail in todays Epsom Derby renewal, guided Bird Son to a thrilling neck victory in a. race at Epsom yesterday. i Twenty -Two in Epsom Derby; Long den to Pilot Blue Sail Ace American Jockey Rides Winner Over Downs Course; Two U. S. Racers in Field Continued from Page One his style for the English race courses, Johnny said, "Of course not, its the only one I know and perhaps I wouldnt ride winners any other way." ; Lord Cadogan, Bird Songs owner, was responsible for getting Longden the mount. He heard the American rider wanted a mount before his Derby ride tomorrow and told his trainer Hastings Bass he would be prepared to put Longden up provided that the already engaged Frankie Durr was willing to forego the ride. v Experienced jockeys who watched and rode in the race were very impressed by Longdens style. The top-rated Australian Rae Johnstone remarked, "You can not pick holes in that," after he had seen the race. Trainer Stanley Woottpn, owner of the beaten favorite, Langley, paid a glowing tribute to Longden, saying, "I thought he rode well throughout in a brainy race. Hes an excellent jockey." Many racing folk reckon that in consequence of Longdens success today the odds on Blue Sail for tomorrows Derby will shorten considerably at the callover later tonight. Earlier today Longden rode his Derby mount, Blue Sail, in a mile spin over the course. Waiting for him back at the paddocks were his blond wife, Hazel, Max Bell, one of the joint owners of Blue Sail, and Frank More OFerrall, manager for Bell. As Johnny vaulted from Blue Sail, he smilingly told the group, "Went very well very smooth ride." Adding later, "The colt is easy to handle and we can round Tat-tenham Corner without any difficulty. I rode him as I am accustomed in the States, with left stirrup four inches lower than right one." Queen to. Watch Race Derby fever is mounting here at Epsom where tomorrow Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh and a huge throng will gather to watch the one hundred and seventy-fifth renewal of the famed classic. The track should .be in perfect condition for there has been approximately two inches of rain during the past few days which has brought the course into lovely condition. Public opinion is growing in favor of the Two Thousand Guineas winner, Darius, while the Irishmen not supporting Blue! Sail wont hear of defeat for Joe McGraths Valerullah. Countless small bets, will be carried by Landau, bearer of the Queens purple and gold silks and on whom Newmarket jockey Willie Snaith is deputizing for Sir Gordon Richards who still is recuperating from the riding accident. I Landau moved well in a Downs workout I today with Sir Victor Sassoons Elopement ! of whom cheery Charlie Smirke, rider of three previous Derby winners, is confident of scoring with tomorrow. Sir Victor Sas-sions silks were successful last year on Pinza. 3The two American starters, Walter M. Jeffords Blue Prince n. and Robert S. Clarks Never Say Die, arrived at the course today looking fit and well. Never Say Die, who will be guided by Lester Piggott, is a heavily played longshot. A field of 22 is expected to start for the 6,196 prize, of which the winning owner takes 7,765. Off time is scheduled for 3:30 p. m. British Standard Time. The starters and jockeys expected for the race are: Horse. Landau Dark Corsair Alpenhorn Ferriol Never Say Die Kowston Manor Irabian Night Blue Sail Moonlight Express Narrator Blue Prince Lavengro Ruwenzori Court Splendour Darius Cloonroughan Valerullah Hylas Blue Rod Elopement Kingslow Rokimos Jockey. Wgt. Willie Snaith 126 Joe Marshall 126 Michael Beary 126 Rae Johnstone 126 Lester Piggott 126 Doug Smith 126 Tommy Gosling 126 Johnny Longden 126 Joe Mercer 126 Frank Barlow 126 Harry Carr 126 Eph Smith 126 Edgar Britt 126 BillyNevett 126 Manny Mercer 126 Billy Rickaby 126 Ken Gethin 126 Fred Payne 126 Frankie Burr 126 Charlie Smirke 126 Billy Anderson 126 Jimmy Egan 126 I " 1 " 1111 1 JOCKEY CHARLIE SMIRKE The English rider will try for his fourth Epsom Derby score astride Sir Victor Sassoons Elopement in toddys renewal of the famed race.
