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Californians Surprised By Talkative Shoemaker Champion Rider Loquacious As He Discusses Recent Derby Win GOLDEN GATE FIELDS, Albany, Calif., May 11. — Willie Shoemaker and Harry Sil-bert flew back to their home state yesterday fresh from "Shoes" victory with Swaps in the Kentucky Derby. Americas champion jockey was in high spirits, and, believe it or not, he did a complete flip-flop from his proverbial vocal clamminess. Yes sir, Willie could have been described as jauntily loquacious without stretching the facts too far. He acquired it when a microphone was "shoved in front of his face at Churchill Downs on returning to the winners circle. Bill is very popular here, and his legion of admirers hope he will retain a bit of the new character with which he clothed himself. Of course, no one need think the affability will become a permanent part of his 100 pounds of riding dynamite. He just isnt that kind of fellow. In response to a barrage of questions. Shoemaker told the press boys about the Derby. "I think Swaps is a good horse — he had to be to beat Nashua. I believe he is as good as Determine was at this time last year." The jockey admitted that he was excited about the* Derby, acknowledging that the spectacle got under his skin. He said that Mischa Tenney gave him no riding instructions. "I didnt plan to take the lead, but when it seemed the natural thing to do in the circumstances as they developed, I let Swaps go along," he said. "Shoe" admitted he was mighty anxious when Nashua approached him, but that when Swaps responded and started to move away from the favorite, "I knew we had it." Asked how he thinks the Eastern horses compare with those making headlines in California, Shoe said he judges them to be about equal. Then he added: "I think California horses are on the improve, due to the fact that the breeding stock here is becoming better and better." He said his back and leg are still sore from the buffeting he took from the feet of the horse which stumbled and threw him just before he left for Kentucky.
