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Nashua Faced With Derby N Jinxl i History Reveals Alphabetical : Hex Even Beat Native Dancer r In Recent Years Citation ♦ ► j And Determine Have Ended ; ! Other Time-Honored Myths ] By BYRON SCHOEMAN f" Staff Correspondent Wfll Nashua dispel the "N" jinx? In , , the past 80 runnings of the Kentucky , I Derby no horse whose name begins with j "N" has been able to capture the "Run for ! the Roses," not even the great Native : I Dancer. But in racing "hope springs eter-■ nal," and Saturday afternoon the great • • majority of racing fans the country over ; i are convinced that Nashua will shed that "hex" just as Citation put an end to the Belmont Futurity jinx in 1948 to become the first winner of that prize to capture the Derby. Likewise, Determine terminated the "gray" myth when in winning last years Derby he became the first gray to win the classic. "Native Dancer is a gray, isnt he?" they chime in figuratively answering their own question. "Look what Determine did last year," they continue. "So it must not have been because Native Dancer is gray that he lost; simply because his name starts with "N" Jinx Pleases Long-Shot Fans This alphabet system is certain to command much attention in the Derby. Especially from the long-shot fans inasmuch as „ Nashua, turfs four-legged "playboy," likely will go postward as the heavy favorite at odds-on. However, any suggestion as to what letter could be ay welcome as ants at a picnic. Twenty ,letters of the alphabet are represented by Kentucky Derby victors. Those bent on this method of selection probably will concentrate on horses whose names begin with "B." -The "Bs" have been the most successful in the 80 previous editions of the Churchill Downs classic. Ten "B" horses have won the Derby. They were,, counter - chronologically, Bold Venture, 1936; Brokers Tip, 1933; Burgoo King, 1932; Bubbling Over, 1926; Black Gold, 1924; Behave Yourself, 1921; Ben Brush, 1896; Ben Ali, 1886; Buchanan, 1884; and Baden Baden, 1877. Four of those "Bs"— Brokers Tip, Burgoo King, Bubbling Over and Behave Yourself—were owned by the late Col. E. R. Bradley, and trained by the late! "Derby Dick" Thompson. Besides the "N," the other five characters not represented by. .a* Derby are "I," "Q" no intention at a pun; simply listing them alphabetically, "V," "X" and "Y." Among the 125 Derby eligibles this year • were four "N" horses," in addition to ► ; ] , , : • ; • Nashua; three "Is", one "Q"— but no "Vs," "Xs" or "Ys." Queens Guard was the lone "Q"; Inah-moud, In Reserve and Irish Brush the Ts," and Nabesna, Nahar, Nances Lad and Now Busher the other "Ns." Of these, only Nabesna will get to the post to give the "Ns" a double-barrel shot. Nashua-Big Horse The butchers, bakers and few remaining candlestick makers who are anti-Nashua may be apprehensive as to whom to play in this years Derby. On the other hand, the pundits will back the "N" with gusto, and rightly, because Nashua IS the "big horse" — both in size and ability— although his mental outlook is unpredictable. Even so, Nashuas multitude probably will be thinking of Native Dancer. But one swallow doesnt make a summer. Old-timers can remember other "summers," however. Precisely, 11 gallant three-year-olds whose names started with "N" failed in the Derby. First of these was Newsboy, who ran unplaced in 1882. Thirty-five years elapsed before another "N" horse tried the Derby test, Norse King finishing 15th in 1915. Then came Nassau, who was fourth to Zev in 1923, followed by Nautical, 15th the next year. Needle Gun tried in 1925, Flying Ebonys year, and six others were in front of him. Naishapuf, a superior mudder, enjoyed everything in his favor in 1929. But two lengths ahead of him at the finish was a little gelding called Clyde Van Dusen, the second choice who demonstrated he liked the "goo" a bit better. Bradleys great and favored Blue Larkspur ran fourth. Naisha-pur was blocked in the stretch, precluding his big bid. This was vividly recalled when Native Dancer was roughed by Money Broker at the Derbys first turn. Ned O., a fair sort, tried his best against Gallant Fox and Gallant Knight, respectively in 1930, but could do no better than third. Then along came the forerunner of Calumets fabulous parade of stars, the brilliant Nellie Flag, in 1935. But Omaha, Roman Soldier and Whiskolo, respectively, shone too brightly for Nellie. Her fourth, however, was the then best performance by a filly in the big race since Harry Payne Whitneys Prudery ran third behind the Bradley duo of Behave Yourself and Black Servant. In 1937, No Sir was 13th to War Admiral. Six years later,-No Wrinkles wound up sixth to the fleet Count Fleet. It was another 10 years to Native Dancer. Just because Native Dancer, Naishapur, Nellie Flag and eight other "Ns" failed, doesnt mean Nashua must follow suit. Racing fans go big for thoroughbreds with personality- who can melt the heart of the coldest figure filbert. Nashua definitely is one of sports greatest personalities at the moment. And personality horses have a habit of winning theiterby. Weve cited the so-called Derby jinxes broken by Citation and, Determine. But for 80 years now, Kentucky Derby "N" horses have meant only one thing— nothing, as far as vanning was concerned. Nothing with a capital "N" at that. To further complicate matters Nashua and Nabesna will make it the 13th try for the "Ns."
