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Judges Stand By Charles Hatton « Downs Bids Soar Despite Rail Strike Summer Tan Proving Ayid Sports Fan Ellsworth on Swaps Peculiar Name CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 3.— There is a good deal of conjecture just now if the wide-spreading rail strike will not make incursions on the crowd for this 81st Kentucky Derby. "Derby Bill" Corum, taking a pragmatic view, does not think that; it will make the slightest difference. "Matter of fact," says he, "there are more requests for Derby and hotel accommodations since last Saturday than ever before at this stage of the game. Most of the Derby specials are coming in, and the Eastern Air Lines, TWA and other airways are putting on more extra sections to handle the crowds." Corum, incidentally, was pleased with the showy performance given by Rex Ellsworths homegrown Swaps last week end, since it suggested that this 81st Derby is something more than a match. "Any colt who can run that fast without any prompting warrants consideration," Corum contended. "Nobody can afford to make mistakes in front of him, for he , will be right there-to rectify them." Since the Jefferson Purse, the Downs has been deluged with requests from the West Coast for Derby accommodations. The Khaled colts brilliant speed performance buoyed up hopes that he will insert a new equasion in Derby calculations, one upon which he may capitalize if the race is run to suit him. Nashuas Progress Most Pleasing John Fitzsimmons was on hand at the "Derby barn" Monday morning, deputizing for the sage Mr. Fitz, and reported himself well pleased with the favorites progress. Nashua had just galloped twice around, preparatory to working today, when we saw him, and was full of high spirits. Eddie Arcaro was due momentarily to work the robust son of Nasrullah. Down ihe shed-row from Nashua is his-rival Summer Tan, who had just worked a mile and a quarter in 2:08% on Sunday morning, breezing all the way. A good many horses, including Regret, Bubbling Over, Burgoo King and Behave Yourself won the "Run for the Roses" off such a useful 10 furlongs move. It is true the filly Regret did not have any appetite following her trial, and jockey Joe Notter, who worked her, had to plead her case to get her into the starting field, but she nevertheless led "from end to end." Summer Tan is a most observant sort of colt, and did not show the slightest trace of his work when we saw him this morning. Instead, he was standing at the door of his box, listening to familiar childrens voices at play half a block away. "He is always like that," trainer Ward said. "He memorizes voices and other sounds quickly. I think he knows they are playing, and wishes he could join them." Meanwhile the colt was pricking his ears and looking on interestedly as the basketball score changed amid high pitched shrieks from side to side. The name "Swaps" of Rex Ellsworths Kentucky Derby hopeful intrigued us, and inquiry reveals that it was chosen in desperation after the owner and several friends had vied in swapping names for the colt. He became three actually last March 1 and was foaled at Ellsworth Ranch, Ontario, Calif. A tract of 80 acres which is one of two stud farms the former cattle rancher maintains in the Golden State. Swaps owner purchased his sensationally prolific sire Khaled, a son of the incomparable Hyperion, on a trip to England several years ago. Khaled raced for the Aga Khan, who indicated to us he is well pleased with the stallions American record. Khaled won five of eight starts at two and three for the Aga, including the Ashley, Coventry and Middle Park, finishing second in the Two -Thousand Guineas and third in the Eclipse. Swaps is out of the Beau Pere mare Iron Reward, who was also bred in California, by W. W. "Tiny" Naylor and ran unplaced at two and three. Her dam in turn was Iron Maiden, a stakes winner of 11 races and the dam of Calumets Trentonian. After foaling Iron Reward, Iron Maiden was returned to competition and won the Del Mar Handicap while carrying her next foal. The third dam, Betty Derr, will pluck a sentimental chord in Kentucky as she won stakes here at Churchill Downs, including the Debutante. Further she was a half sister to the Derby winner Clyde Van Dusen. Thus the Ellsworth colt is unlikely ever to "step on his pedigree." A Few All-Time Derby Day Records Turf ana: The largest Derby handle was ,565,901 in 52, the largest Derby Day handle ,306,065, back in 53. . . . Whirlaway, racings noted "Mr. Longtail," still holds the Derby time record of 2:01%, but Middle-ground and Hill Gail were only a tick behind him. The last named is now at stud in Ireland. . . . Prince Noors grandam Princess Doreen won a Kentucky Oaks here on a "TKO," when the Harned Bros. Glide crossed - abruptly before her taking the lead in the stretch. . . . All the foals of Summer Tans dam, Miss Zibby, are winners. . . . Saturdays will mark Eddie Arcaros 16th trip postward for the Derby. He has won five of them. . . . Sherrill Ward and this observer are products of Third Avenue, within shouting distance of Churchill Downs. Wards father, John, trained Franklyn, Dodge and other topnotchers at neighboring Douglas Park. . . . The stakes winner Traffic Judge was repected by the fastidious Breeders Sales Company committee. He is a half brother to Hasty Road. . . . Royal Coinages dam, Canina, won a Kentucky Oaks and has produced * noth- v .j ing but winners.
