Propose Swaps Nashua Match Race at Washington in August: Would be 5,000 Winner Take All and over Mile and One-Quarter Distance, Daily Racing Form, 1955-06-09

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■ ■ ■ ► = ~t Propose Swops-Nashua Match Race at Washington in August , ; , : Would Be 5,000 Winner ► Take All and Over Mile And One-Quarter Distance WASHINGTON PARK, Homewood, 111., June 8. — A match race at Washington Park, probably in August, between Kentucky Derby winner Swaps and Preakness-winner Nashua, is in the "discussion stage and looks promising," it *was announced today by Benjamin F. Lindheimer, executive director of Arlington Park and Washington Park. The proposed match race would be for a purse of 5,000, winner-take alH and one mile and a quarter is the likely distance. Lindheimer revealed that the suggestion for the proposed duel between the nations two top-ranking three-year-olds stemmed from stage and screen star, Don Amecbe, who is a mutual friend of the Arlington-Washington head, and of William Woodward, Jr., owner of Nashua. Ameche reported to Lindheimer that "Mr. Woodward was interested in meeting Swaps again," particularly since neither horse was named for any one event the remainder of the year. "We immediately contacted Mr. Mischa Tenney, trained of Swaps, who conferred with owner Rex Ellsworth, and both indicated a willingness to run against Nashua again," Lindheimer explained. Two Important Factors A great "deal, however, depends upon a date for the race and thecondition of the horses," Lindheimer added. "Mr. Ellsworth indicated that the date of the race could not interfere with Swaps present stakes commitments and his training program." Both Swaps and Nashua will race in Chicago this summer, but in separate engagements. Nashua is eligible for the 60,000 Arlington Classic at one mile, but Swaps was not named for the event on July 16. Swaps, on the other hand, is an eligible for the August 20 running of the 60,000 American Derby on the grass at Washington Park, a race for which Nashua was not nominated. Swaps and the remainder of the Ellsworth string are due at Washington Park soon after the end of the Hollywood Park meeting in late July. "We feel that some date convenient to both owners is the only major barrier," Lindheimer continued. "In any match race, the horses must come up to the event perfectly, just as any athlete must in championship competition. Their racing records also must be such that the race will have the proper public appeal and, from a competitive standpoint, tend to settle the three-year-old championship. "Arlington and Washington parks," he added, "always have been alert to the possibility of matching outstanding thoroughbreds, both from a sporting standpoint and to give the public a chance to see truly great competitors." Washington Park was the scene of a match race in 1945, when the three-year-i old filly Busher defeated the four -year-old Durazna at a mile in 1:374,£. Another potential match race between Armed and Assault eight years ago at Arlington* Park was not held when Assault came up to Continued on Page Seven , ; ♦ Match Proposed For Swaps, Nashua Would Take Place Early in August at Washington Park If Agreement Is Reached Continued from Page One the event with an injury. They eventually met at Belmont Park, with Armed the winner. Swaps, a chestnut son of the imported Khaled, is homebred by Ellsworth, a California rancher and former rodeo cowboy. He has earned 51,500 while winning eight out of 11 starts, including the Kentucky Derby, Santa Anita Derby, and San Vicente. Nashua, also bred by Woodward, is a son of the imported Nasrullah and. has 69,990 banked in two racing seasons. He has won 11 out of 14, with three seconds, and shows victories in the Belmont Futurity, the Hopeful, Flamingo, Florida Derby and Wood Memorial, in addition to the Preakness.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1955060901/drf1955060901_1_4
Local Identifier: drf1955060901_1_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800