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Judges Stand By Charles Hatton Nashua Again Impresses Jockey Arcaro * Final Derby Prep Emphasizes Superiority Alycidon Logical Heir to Hyperions Mantle CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 4.— Nashua solidified his position of favorite for this 81st "Hun for the Roses" when he simply "cantalouped" the full route of a mile and a quarter in 2:05%. Jockey Eddie Arcaro, whose judgment of pace has sometimes been questioned, uri-profitably, estimates that the huge son of Nasrullah put in one quarter near the end of his final distance prep in :24I/5. "It was a terrific work," the crack rider estimated, and in answer to a question he added "I think that Nashua is shaping up fully as well at this stage as any Derby colt I ever rode." He won five Derbys, and his mounts included Citation. This observer can vouch for it that Nashua was not in the least tired after his mile and a quarter drill. On the contrary, he wanted to play when we visited him at the Belair barn about an hour later. Whatever else may be said of Nashua, he is indeed a "he horse."-He loves to play, but one must know how to make gambits with him in the way of a horseman. Otherwise, he could seem a little cannibalistic. Whether or not he wins this Derby, Nashua is a rugged individualist. Applied shadow boxing of the sort which invariably works with lesser horses does not phaze him in the least. In a word, he is as the French say "quelque chose depatant," something rather special. Eddies Summer Engagements Clash Eddie Arcaro may make the difference between whether High Gun or Fisherman goes to England for the Bng George VI. and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at • Ascot, or remain in America for the many rich handicaps here. The Ascot classic is in close juxtaposition to the Arlington Classic, for which Nashua is a candidate. It seems unlikely Arcaro would relinquish the ride on the Belair colt to tempt the new terrain and conditions in England. Robert Kleberg now is said to have a more tangible interest in English property than heretofore, and he would like nothing better than to win the King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth. Indeed he was the first to express a desire to attempt pillaging the English turf, when Assault was in his prime. But if High Gun or Fisherman goes abroad, it appears likely that they will have to be placed in the hands of English jockeys. This may be for the best, with all due respect to Arcaros skill, considering the discrepancies in racing conditions here and abroad. But if any Americans go abroad to race this season, we isike it they"had better count without "The Maestro." Chatting with Capt. Cecil Boyd-Rochfort several weeks ago in Miami, the English trainer noted that he has" in his care no colts of extraordinary talent, but several fillies who could develop Oaks potentialities. Projecting this premise is Lady Zia Wernheims Meld, whom Boyd-Rochfort mentioned in particular, and who recently won the 1,000 Guineas, which is Englands classical Oaks trial. Meld reflects more credit upon Lord and Lady - Derbys youthful stallion Alycidon, whom the British now regard as the natural heir to Hyperion and Nearco. She is out of Double, by Fair Trial, and the second dam is Double Life, whom Boyd-Rochfort selected at the yearling sales and developed into one of the outstanding racemares of modern times. Meld won the Guineas by two lengths at the direct expense of the Abernant filly, Aberlady, with the Tudor Minstrel mare, Feria, third. Although Alycidons chief claim to distinction on the course was gained in cup events, he has sired a number of particularly clever horses, including last seasons champion two-year-old filly, Gloria Nicky, and the Epsom Derby hopeful, Alexander, who beat Our Babu, in the 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes. Avalanche of Visitors Increases Turf ana: William Woodward, Jr., was an early morning visitor to the Downs to see Nashuas final distance prep. . . . A. B. "Bull" Hancock, Jr. of the Kentuck State Racing Commission was a recent guest and reported literally shoals of foals at Claiborne. . . . The Derby favorite tried to have a "blaze face, but it turned out a small star with a faint scattering of white hair down his profile. . . . Don Fair estimates that Swaps is fully as capable at the moment as Determine was a year ago. They are meeting a different breed of horses however. . . . Johnny Aiscan and Dan Bowmar were Trial visitors from "Chitlin Switch." . . . Gar Moore is en route from New Orleans Fair Grounds to Derby Town, ; . . Dick Andrade is here with his usual large retinue. . . . Don Ameche is a Derby regular. . . . Derby Town menus run. to ole southern cooking; And you cant count the calories. . . . Unseasonably warm weather and a fast track are forecast for Derby Day. . . . His handlers consider Nashua tougher than Gallant Fox, Omaha, Granville, et alia of Mr. Fitz previous Derby contenders. "He knows he is good." . . . Track sup Tom Youngs staff is setting out colorful plants in the bed about the winners enclosure in the inner-field Jett Flames owner W. M. Peavey hunts small game in Wisconsin with a bow and arrow. Makes it more sporting. . . . Whitney Tower, "Sonny" Whitneys nephew, is here for Sports Illustrated Jockey Eddie Arcaro is among the mags correspondents. . . . Winn Williamson, grandson of Col. Matt Winn and a prominent local breeder!, is a regular at this meeting.
