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Sportsmans Park By J. J. Murphy Jockey Billy Powell Native of Southwest First Trip Here; Rides for Salley Stable Blue Choir Training Well for Continental SPORTSMANS PARK, Cicero, 111., May 9.— While » "take me out to the ball game" is the favorite chant s t most big city youngsters at this time of the year, the most popular tune of the jockeys from the great Southwest riding here is "give me my boots and saddles." One of the number who not only has. his boots and saddles but his ten-gallon hat as well, is 26-year-old Billy Powell, who hails from the city of Albuquerque, N. M., once an Indian adobe village. When Billy was not much larger than one "of his saddles and might have fitted into a medium sized sombrero, he was attracted to horses, and at the tender age of nine and weighing less than 50 pounds, he launched his riding career" in his native state. Ten years ago he became a regular jockey and has plied that profession ever since, with three years out to serve his country as a paratrooper in the U. S. Army. Being one of the top flyweight boxers in New Mexico before joining up, he was unbeaten in a dozen bouts while overseas. Like so many other jockeys from the Southwest, Powell rode his first winner at Caliente. That was in 1946, and during his career has ridden mostly at tracks-in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and California, with an occasional visit to Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs. He was the leading rider at Centennial, Denver, two years ago, and last year rode 70 winners. At this track one recent afternoon he registered a double. This is his first trip to Chicago, and he is in the employ of Don Herber, trainer for Ira Salley, who owns Mr. Favor, worlds record-holder for six and one-half furlongs. Two Imports Likely Turf Candidates Reports from Washington Park, where the second meeting of the Balmoral Jockey Club will get under way Monday, indicate that Mrs. H. L. Nathensons top grass runner, Blue Choir, is in good shape for his second try for the Continental Turf Handicap, to be featured on the first Saturday of the session. Blue Choir had not reached his best form when he was third to Mister Black and Streaking in the race last year. Mister Black may again be one of his rivals, but Streaking has slipped considerably and is no longer regarded as being of stakes caliber. Bryn and Bozi, a couple of thoroughbreds from abroad, may possibly make their Chicago bows in the Continental. Bryn is a stablemate of Mister Black and has been in this country for about eight months. Bozi is owned by Mrs. Russell L. Reineman, wife of Balmorals president, and we believe he carried the Reineman silks to victory in France before crossing the Atlantic. Jockey Karl Korte, who made his first appearance here Tuesday, was aboard Punkin Vine when that racer caused an upset in beating Errard King, the Arlington " Classic and American Derby winner, in the Choice Stakes at Monmouth Park two years ago. That remains as Kortes lone stake.s score. The boy is under agreement to Tom Kelley, who has over 30 horses in his care at Washington Park. . . . Lori-El, a two-year-old filly bought by a Chicago man, M. R. Soto, at the Keeneland sales last season, is showing an ,000 profit on the investment. She was purchased for 00 and has earned ,700; so it is apparent Soto made a good buy. He sold half interest in Lori-El to A. Berke before the filly ever raced, and her value now could not be less than 0,000. She has won four races. . . . Jockey Dudley Vandenborre, who has won several races here, will journey to Detroit to ride the horses trained by Grover Noel. Ford and Barrow Get Ready to Move Ex-jockey Henry Hauer, employed in the racing secretarys office here, will report to Fairmount Park at the conclusion of the meeting. He will be one of the outriders at the Collinsville track. . . . Jockey Bob Ford, only rider to pilot three winners in succession at this meeting, will go to Omaha to seek action. . . . Jockey Tommy Barrow, who was one of the leading jockeys at Detroit last summer, will again show his wares on Motor City tracks this season. . . . Mr. S. Kozzira recently sold Lovin Lady and Grand Spice to Tom Pruett. . . . Trainers Angel Barrera and D. Hol-stein will ship the horses in their charge to Detroit. ... Book of by-laws of the Jockeys Agents Benevolent Association, founded February I, has arrived. One of the officers well known in Chicago is Jim Bracken, " who is agent for Johnny Adams. He is vice-president. Chick Lang, Willie Hartacks agent, is the president. Post time for the first race at the Balmoral meeting has been moved up. It will be 1:40 p.m. . . . Horace Wade and his assistant, Tommy Engelman, were among the visitors Wednesday. . . . Jockey Don Scur-lock arrived from Florida and was a spectator. Will . ride at the Balmoral meeting. ... A rather important transaction took place here this morning when Marion VanBerg sold Endon, winner of the first renewal of the St. Louis Derby two years ago; Barrington, a well-regarded three-year-old, and Dee Vee Tee to Wallace Strong of Silver Creek, Nebr. The horses will be trained by Dave Engle.
