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Racing Fans Converge on Louisville1 Turf Fans Converge ► Dn Louisville Today Expect Derby Attendance To Equal or Possibly Pass 100,000 of Past Ten Years By OSCAR OTIS CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 6. — People, tens of thousands of them, were converging on Louisville and historic old Churchill Downs today, and the flood of humanity, all bent with the single purpose of seeing a horse race, the Kentucky Derby if you please, might set a new Derby record for attendance. This is a qualified guess, because one never knows. Every Derby brings a lot of people, and for the last 10 years or so, it is estimated that more than 100,000 pack old Churchill almost to the top of its ancient spires to witness the big spectacle, in this particular instance, the 81st running of the Derby. The long range forecast of fair weather has been a help to the crowd this year, and the strike on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, while annoying to some, and which led to inconvenience by forcing some regular Derby fans to arrange transportation by other than their, customary route, cannot hurt the attendance one whit. At least, that is the way Downs officials have the situation summed up and we are inclined to agree with them. Usual Pre-Race Excitement . The usual pre -Derby excitement was everywhere in evidence While Nashua was a solid betting favorite, there was a feeling prevalent that he was not absolutely invincible,- and everyone conceded that if Nashua did win it, he probably would be the first to admit, if he could talk, that he had been in a real horse race. Hes going to have to run all the way for it, and it is just this facet of the Derby which is help- ing to steam up pre-race excitement to a stratospheric pitch. The local newswriters term this period the "annual Derby madness." Well, maybe the word "madness" will do for want of a better one, but we think it more an annual "exuberance" when all America pauses i for a time to pay hoir.age to and enjoy the i most exciting spectacle of its kind on this continent. It is a healthy, red blooded exuberance. Of all the millions in America who would like to be here, the hundred thousand or so who actually are will count themselves the luckiest people in the nation. For they have learned how to mix ► - : their horse racing and fun, a fun sprinkled with good old southern hospitality. People, in volume, are everywhere. Hotel lobbies are packed. Fourth Street, Louisvilles "main drag, is packed. The town has broken out the bunting and decorations and everywhere Derby visitors are being welcomed. There are too many special airplane flights into town -of which to keep track, private planes are winging in by the minute, and despite the L. and N. strike, the iron horses of other railroads are bringing in a large number of special trains, and all regular trains are carrying a really impressive number of extra Pullmans and coaches. The Derby crowd began to arrive last week end, but the crowd became a deluge today, and more and more people are pouring into town and this stream will continue until noon Saturday. This latter volume is, to a great extent, auto traffic, and the state of Kentucky is doing everything it.can to expedite traffic to and from the track. State police are posted at all "traffic problem" points leading into Louisville to keep cars moving — fast. The city of Louisville once again has gone all out to see that traffic in town moves promptly- to and from the track gates. An intricate system of special one way streets leading to Churchiil has been set up for Saturday, which will be reversed after the races. Every such street has been well signposted, along with "no parking" zones. Asked to Take Public Transportation Motorists have been positively advised that the best way to the track is to -park in downtown Louisville, which has ample facilities, and take either cab or spscial express motor coaches to the track. IMs public transportation is fast, economicu and helps relieve motor congestion in tht immediate area of the track. The Derby visitor is finding a lot of excitement in town as well as at the track itself. There is a lot doing in the way of entertainment, and night spots were getting their usual heavy patronage. The police department has issued a rule of thumb to guide all Derby visitors, and it boils down to, "enjoy yourself, have a lot of fun and a wonderful time, but no rowdyism." In general, Derby crowds are orderly but none the less vibrant. The major hotels in town have been sold out for some weeks, but thousands of visitors are finding lodgings in private homes. Others, motorists, are getting overnight accommodations on the outskirts of Louisville, driving in tomorrow morning. Some of the top restaurants in town have raised prices, but owners explain that Derby visitors demand nothing but the best and are willing to pay for just that. How- ever, any number of business establishments in Louisville, including restaurants, proudly put signs in their windows saying "no raise in prjces over the Derby period." The usual L. and N. "Pullman Village" in the passenger .station yards will not be in evidence, but railroads which are running are parking pullmans in their own yards, usually the freight terminals, and have arranged special transportation to and from ±he track from these points. The great exodus from Louisville will begin immediately after the Derby running. Wed say about 30,000 people will leave the city before midnight tomorrow, the mass will leave Sunday, and by Mon day, only the more leisurely inclined vis-itors will start thinking about moving — i after the big rush is over. ; As usual, en route home, wherever that may be in this wide world, theyll be talk- : ing about plans to attend the "next Derby."
