view raw text
Between Races By Oscar Otis Derby Sweep Possible for Paris Area Biggest Tote Staff to Serve Patrons Texans Establish New Derby Tradition CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 5.— Horses and People: Harry Guggenheim tells us that a Derby oddity is that breeders, with really worthwhile mares, are trying much harder to get a season to Turn-to, who missed the Derby because of injuries, than to Dark Star, who did win the Derby and beat Native Dancer in accomplishing the feat. ., . . Turn-to and Dark Star are the first stallions to stand for owner Guggenheim although he did send Battle Morn to Virginia and in addition to these two he has four shares in the priceless Nasrullah, six in * Ambiorix, one each in Roman, Princequillo and Daumier. ... As Earl Ruby so aptly points out in the* Louisville Courier-Journal, this Derby could be a sweep for Paris, Ky. . . . Jeans Joe was foaled at Stoner Creek, Nashua, Summer Tan, Racing Fool and Flying Fury at Claiborne, just across said creek from the Hertz farm, and, when you add it up, thats almost half the field. E. A. Weidekamp, director of pari-mutuels, will have , a grand total of 1,184 people on his staff Derby Day, a slight rise from the normal of 1,172. ... No less than 47 "early Derby betting windows" will be manned, and all tickets so sold will be audited and double -checked right after the fifth race. . . . This money, which hit an all-time high of 73,402 last year, becomes the first reading on the "tote" board when regular Derby wagering opens. . . . Andy Crevolin, owner of last years Derby winner, Determine, wont be represented this year, but he has had a Derby winner this season, the California Derby at Golden Gate Fields, won last Saturday by Golden Land. . . . It was and mere 0,000 guaranteed affair. . . . Crevolin came on from the Coast as a spectator. Drayton Takes Charge of TRPB Unit Anna Friedman, keeper of the great seal for the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, will be married* Sunday night, following the Colonels barbecue at her Anchorage estate, but it is good news for the Colonels that she plans to continue her good work for the military order even though she will, from now on, spend more time in California. . . . Spencer Drayton is here with a full staff of TRPB men, one item which helps insure an enjoyable Derby Day for the patrons. . . . Catering volume of the Stevens organization on Derby Day is a trade secret, but it is the biggest operation of its kind*in all America, and Stevens executives need to have a blue print map of their far-flung operation to insure that service all over the grounds is prompt and efficient. Johnny Alessio of Caliente home of the future book has checked in for his fourth straight Derby, tells me interest in his call-overs is becoming somewhat global. . . . While the futures are basically a public relations enterprise for the Mexican border course, its volume of business has become somewhat tremendous. . . . Dick Andrade m., much to the chagrin of some Kentuckians, again imported his "jug band" for the Andrade pre-Derby round of entertainment. . . . Andrade hired a crew from Bourbon stieefc, New Orleans, which gives a rousing "concert" if- it could be called that, at the Kentucky Hotel tonight, plays Saturday evening after the races at Colonel Bill Corums victory celebration. . . . The guest of honor, of course, will be the owner of the winning Derby -horse. Await Honeys Alibis Performance A bold showing by W L Ranchs Honeys Alibi in the Derby will send him on east for further efforts in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. . . . Young Joe Stevens is an arrival and is assisting his dad in the Derby catering. . . . Young Joe got his first indoctrination in the Derby set-up last year, but stayed only a day. . . . This year, he is working. . . . A new, but nevertheless flourishing, Derby tradition, appears to be thp "at home" pre-Derby departure festival, meaning the lucky folks who are coming to Louisville toss a julep party for friends. . . . Two of note occured in Dallas where Clint Murchison and Gordon Guiberson entertained in approved Texas fashion, which is "first cabin. ... "Beans" Latimer of Denver and Buck Britt of New Mexico have led a large delegation from the Rocky Mountain empire into Derbyland. The chain of TV stations carrying the Derby this year has grown and an early estimate audience is 35,000,000 adults. . . . But radio will still be the living link between race and citizen far removed from TV spheres. . . . Most densely populated areas in the nation now have TV, but there are still a considerable number of folks in the wide open spaces. . . . The Derby is the only race east of the Rockies which can get lots of people 5,000 or more to clamor to get in at track opening time, which happens to be 8 ajn., Central Daylight time. . . . Nobody, incidentally, hardly ever gets shut out on Derby Day, for a check taken last year, two minutes before post, showed pari-mutuel queques to be non-existent, with only a few stragglers at the windows. ... It is a race that everybody on the grounds want to SEE. . . A number of private wagers have been made that if the track is fast, a new Derby record will be established, supplanting Whirlaways mark of 2:01%. . . .-Given odds, a few are willing to back a 2:00%, ten-furlong journey for the winner.
