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Judges Stand ; 1 By Charles Hatton— — : ; No Horse Odds-on to Win Derby, Woodward Summer Tan Appears to Have Charmed Life Swaps May Change His Rivals Strategies CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 6. — The festive Derby spirit, which seems to rise like some strange sorcery out of the mists of the "Beautiful Ohio," permeates all Louisville on the eve of this 81st running of the historic mile and a quarter classic conceived by Col. M. Lewis Clark. The gay and infectious mood of the Derby Day happily never varies. It is something which the crowds who assemble here each spring impart to the race, and it is unique in the sphere of thoroughbred racing in this country. No amount of added money, tub thumping and fanfare can duplicate this holiday atmosphere. We have enjoyed ii ever since 1916, when we saw Johnny Loftus hustle George Smith to the finish exciting inches before Star Hawk, who made a brave try after being virtually left at the rubber webbing which then served as the gate. Everywhere today people are asking one another the inevitable question "who do you like." Our own preference, if anybody cares to know, is William Woodward, Nashua, with "Heady Eddy" Arcaro in the stirrups. The extroverted son of Nasrullah sometimes in- i dulges in whimsicalities, and in Arcaros words can be frightening to his riders. But he gets there just the same. And that is of course the important thing. His persistent rival Summer Tan, who follows him like a credit rating, appears second best of the starting field. And we should think that if there is an upset, it may come from Swaps quarter. Make no mistake this colt is a runner, better we think than was Determine, the 1954 winner. Nashuas Training Pleases Owner Woodward tells us that he is gratified with the signifcant way in which Nashua has trained for this event. At the same time the New York sportsman does not think any horse is odds-on to win a Kentucky Derby. It is unlike any other race, in the sense that horses and jockeys become tense and excitable, and often they do things which are out of character and can be relevant to the result. Though Nashua is the only plausible selection, one must respect his shadow Summer Tan. This colt obviously has a charmed life. Last fall at Garden State Park his experienced young trainer, Sherrill Ward, brought him to the course for a final workout for the fabulously rich Garden State. Just as he broke off, a boy was thrown heavily on the backstretch and an ambulance literally shut him off, necessitating his going back to the front side of the course to begin all over. Two days after the New Jersey race, Summer Tan was lingering at deaths door with a pernicious aneurism. Two days ago. Ward thought to give him a conditioner of six furlongs here at Churchill Downs. The colt was breezing against the bit turning for home when a horse reared in front of him. It was all exercise boy Jimmy Middleton «:ould do to avoid hitting this obstreperous animal. The watchword of Summer Tans many fans now is "you cant beat fate." They remind that three times the colts number has seemed to be up, and three times he has eluded the worst. Swaps is less familiar to us, frankly than is either Nashua or Summer Tan. But one must regard him with respect after his authoritative success in his Midwestern debut here a week ago. It is true, as the cynics are at pains to point out "he beat nobody." Nevertheless, it was inescapable from the stylish fashion in which he went about it that he is a high class colt. And trainer Micaiah from the bible Adams Tenney of Chihuahua, Mexico, is delighted with him. The former cowpuncher, who never saw a race track until 1939, has brought the well bred son of Khaled and Iron Reward up to this Derby fit as hands can make him. And Swaps presence doubtless will alter the strategies of Nashua and Summer Tan, for it must be abundantly clear to anybody who read the chart of his recent success it can be costly to permit him to "breeze on the lead." Before coming here Swaps won the June Juvenile Stakes at Hollywood Park, the San Vicente and the Santa Anita Derby. He does not have quite the imposing individuality of either the favorite or Summer Tan, but is nevertheless difficult to fault, with well sprung ribs, muscular quarters and flat legs. Definitely no horse with whom to take chances. Count 173 Foals at Claiborne Turf ana: The foal crop at Claiborne Farm this spring will number approximately 173 . . . Owner Clifford Mboers of Nabesna once was a gold prospector in Alaska, got no gold but became secretary of the Seward Chamber of Commerce. He later found oil in Texas. . . . Mrs. Effie Marie Cain of the Murcain Stable is mending a sprained ankle. . . . Bill Finnegan, who trains Jeans Joe, was stable foreman for Kay Spence when the latter saddled Hodge to finish second to Old Rosebud in the 1914 Derby. . . . Trim Destiny is a first foal. . . . Loyd Gentry is a nephew of Danada Farm manager Olin Gentry ... He is among the youngest of Derby trainers, 30. . . . From Nasrullahs first crop of American foals have come the Derby entrants Nashua, Flying Fury and Jeans Joe. . . . Nashua was named by William Bolton, a friend of his late breeder. The name was suggested by that of his sire and not the New Hampshire town. . . . William Woodward, Jr. advises that Vagrancy is to foal soon to Nasrullah. Among the New Yorkers foals at Claiborne is a filly ,by Dark Star he t especially.admir.es. , » *,.
