New Jersey: Dee Brooks Part of Calumet Success Story Performs Many Duties as Authorized Agent Was Once Successful Trainer in Own Right, Daily Racing Form, 1957-05-16

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_____________ W _ ~ ™— ■ -■ — — New Jersey By Teddy Cox * Dee Brooks Part of Calumet Success Story Performs Many Duties as Authorized Agent Was Once Successful Trainer in Own Right GARDEN STATE PARK. Camden. N. J.. May 15 — You hear much of Ben Jones, Jimmy Jones. Paul Ebel-hardt. Margaret Glass and other key factors in the _____________ success success of of Calumet Calumet Farm, Farm, but but success success of of Calumet Calumet Farm, Farm, but but there are other component spokes in the wheel that keeps the devils red and blue wagon mer-curially sweeping all fees aside. Dee Brooks is a splendid "firin- . stance." Officially, he is the authorized agent for the stable, which means he buys the feed, handles the payroll, engages jockeys when needed, enters the horses in the racing secretarys office, office, and, and, in in general, general, does does every- ~ ™— ■ -■ — — office, office, and, and, in in general, general, does does every- everything possible to relieve the mounting pressure on Jimmy Jones, who has the main division of the stable quartered between here and at Pimlico. The elder Jones is with the young horses in Kentucky. When Jimmy isnt available. Dee "also tightens the girths in the paddocks, and if you happen under the Calumet shedrow as the sun dips from the horizon, youll find him feeding the dogs owned by various members of the stable. There is no task too big or small for him to handle — and willingly. Im happy for the first time of my life working with Jimmy," he said this morning. "This is a great organization and when you do something well they have a way of showing their appreciation. I dont necessarily mean financial gain, although they are extremely fair on that score, too. Its just a matter of working with a well organized stable that doesnt always place the dollar above everything else. Theres a lot of good fellowship and companionship under the Calumet barn, and thats why most of us are happy with our work." Developed Several Stakes Winners Brooks is a capable trainer in his own right and the best of all recommendations, the record bock, is his greatest booster. While serving as trainer for Hal Price Headley. he won a number of stakes events and was responsible for the development of numerous high-class thoroughbreds. His most notable feat as a trainer was a victory by Georgian in the 54 edition of the Washington Park Futurity worth 8,380 to the winner , but he also took two runnings of the Lafayette Stakes, the Fashion Stakes and other events. Brooks maintains that he has served under the two greatest "foot men" of our time in Headley and his present chieftain, Jimmy Jones, and says he has learned much from both. "There are some trainers who will simply instruct a blacksmith to shoe a horse," Dee relates. "But Mr. Headley and Jimmy are mighty careful about how they get their horses shod. They appreciate that every foot is somewhat different, even though the size of the shoe may be the same. It makes a lot of sense. Jimmy says you wouldnt go down to the store and buy a pair of shoes for your wife. It is the same with a horse, only the trainer must be the one to appreciate a horses feel for a shoe, and this requires a great deal of study and experience. Both Jimmy and Mr. Headley are masters." Regarding Gen. Duke. Brooks has been of the opinion right along that the horse might be suffering from something other than a bruised foot. "A bruise dont go away right now, or after a day or two," Brooks explains, "it remains on and has to grow out, with Mother Nature taking its course. Jn the case of Gen. Duke, his injury disappeared after he pulled up sore after his race in the Florida Derby and he appeared perfectly sound. Then it flared anew in Kentucky and now it is back with him again. Hes a wonderful horse and were hoping there is nothing tooseriously wrong. But Jimmy Jones tells me it is still very mysterious." Henry Hecht Acquires Nonnie Jo Jersey Jottings: Judge Earl S. Potter, steward representing the New Jersey Racing Commission, who serves with Keene Daingerfield and George R. Palmer here celebrated his fiftieth natal day. . . . Trainer De-verne Emery announced the purchase by his patron, Henry H. Hecht, of the good stakes campaigner Nonnie Jo, a five -year -old roan stallion by Reaping Reward — Grey Mood, by Mahmoud. The price was reported to be 5,000. Emery made a hurried week-end trip to inspect the horse before the sale was consummated. Nonnie Jo won the Frontier Handicap and the Michigan Mile last season, and placed in other stakes, for total earnings of 2,750. He will race on the Jersey circuit with Emery at the helm. Elliott Burch was on hand to saddle the Jersey Stakes candidate. Oligarchy, in his competitive prep. The flashy son of Alibhai looked impressive enough, but may be just below being a top-flight three-year-old. We saw him compete victoriously on the grass last winter at Hialeah and this type of running may be his forte. . . . Cortwright Wetherill, whose Kingmaker captured the Grey Lag last week end at Jamaica, was an enthusiastic visitor. . . . The Caliente helmets are not compulsory here, but eventually it is the hope of the Jersey racing commission that all riders will employ the safety devices. It is understood that several of the riders have them on order, but cant get delivery.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1957051601/drf1957051601_5_1
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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800