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Delaware r By Charles Hatton A Yankees View of Famed Epsom Derby Many of Crepellos Kin Are in America McShain Discusses Ballymoss Performance DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 5. May we interrupt these "levities and gravities" this morning to take proper cognizance of the incident on the Epsom station chalk downs? We refer of course to the result of the 178th running of the original of all the Derbys. At some orisk of seeming a crashing bore with a remarkable grasp of the obvious, it might be added that the Epsom Derby is the greatest turf classic in the world. In any case, we should feel a pretty poor scholar not to accord it something more than a detached, passing notice in this space, even though 3,000 miles re moved from the scene. For the sphere of the Derbys influence extends to the farthest corners of the bloodstock breeding world. To introduce a sire as an Epsom Derby winner is a certificate of the highest quality wherever horses race. And there can be no doubt Sir Victor Sassoons gallant homebred Crepello will be quoted as the winner of todays race long after we cf this generation have passed on. This Derby had a distinctly "American angle," in more ways than one. First off, "Sir Victor has several times visited here, usually as a guest at A. B. Hancocks Claiborne house in .the Blue Grass. The last time we saw him was at an annual dinner of the Irish horse owners and breeders in Nugents hospitable Dolphin Inn, Dublin, several winters back. On that occasion the speakers were rather vocal about claiming this, noted stallion for Ireland, that one for England, when your brash correspondent recalled that Tracery was bred at Georgetown, in Kentucky. At this juncture, Sir Victor interposed that the thoroughbred no longer recognizes any national borders, his blood is so diffused over the world. And in that sense he was quite right. Second Foal of Irish Broodmare There is Crepello. He is by Donatello II., a native Italian, by the French Blenheim H.j now in retirement at Claiborne here. He is out of the extraordinary young producer Crepuscule, who comes of a Gallic family. Crepello is her second foal, and her first was Honey-light, who won last years 1,000 Guineas for Sassoon. Honeylight did not stay the Oaks course and is a light filly, full of quality, but wore a breastplate and apparently she simply did not have the ruggedness to match her class. Clive Graham and others at once perceived Crepellos class when he unexpectedly showed the dash to win the 2,000 Guineas. There was a prefabricated notion abroad that he was a middle-distance runner and not a miler. It,is rarely that the qualities to win over the stark, staring straight at Newmarket, a course calculated to plumb the depths of a horses courage, and the versatility to negotiate the steep inclines and descents at Epsom are embodied in one animal. So we feel perfectly safe in adducing Crepello is exceptional. Americans will rejoice with Philadelphias John McShain over his Ballymoss splendid showing in finishing second in this Epsom Derby. It was right here at Delaware Park, while we were lunching with J. Samuel Perlman and Donald Ross, McShain told us of his plan to buy and race some horses across the Atlantic. That was in 1955, and his Irish-bred Dover winner, Aughill, visited the winners enclosure during the af ternoon. Didnt Think He Would Run So Well "I am really quite thrilled," McShain said of Ballymoss race when we complimented him in Philadephia today. "I note in The Morning Telegraph, I am the only American represented in the race who was not present. Frankly, I did not think he would run so" well, and I did not want to go all the way over there to be disappointed. -I talked with my trainer, Vincent OBrien, on the phone night before last. We were inclined to doubt if the little horse had had enough time, after injuring a foot about a month ago. I only hope he came out of the race all right." Then, eagerly: "How far were we beaten, do you know? No. Well, I am told Crepello passed Ballymoss the last furlong. They say, Crepello is the best colt seen over there in the last 15 years.. "Will I race Ballymoss over here? I cant say. I will be guided by what my trainer advises. He picked the colt for me, you know, when I was at the Don-caster sales two years ago. I think I paid about 4,000 for him. OBrien likes the get of the Irish horse Moss-borough, looked over the yearlings for sale, and insisted I come and look at a little fellow by Moss-borough, Ive found. I was glad when we got him, I have not seen him since. But I may go over later in the season. We have seven horses racing there now." McShain is a virtual newcomer, but very keen. A noted hotel man and contractor he built the Pentagon, the affable Celt is accustomed to thinking in broad, .vigorous terms. He is not the sort to be content with a few moderate horses at minor meetings. Racing, in its most classical context, represent a challenging sport to him, and he has accepted the challenge. Turf ana: Lord Derby has returned to Stanley House, where Hyperion has pulled on his carpet slippers and taken to his easy chair, and Ribot is beginning an im-portan new phase of his career. The affable Briton visited the Blue Grass and attended some of the GNYA Continued en Page Farty-Fhi DELAWARE By CHARLES HATTON Continued from Page Five sport. . . .Howell Jackson helped "Bull"Han-cock celebrate Bayous Acorn success. The master of Claiborne is coming for the Oaks, in high hopes and the George Washington, arriving next Wednesday. . . . Fabius is on the course each morning. Disliked it when Ricci Tavi beat him in the Richards a year ago. . . . The four Reynolds brothers may have a worthwhile Christiana prospect in Colonel R. S., who still is a little green and gauche, and gave the impression he could have won with more authority. The son of Eight Thirty was a 4,000 yearling; bred by "Cousin Les" Combs. M. Marcel Boussacs Macip, who was injured and withdrawn from the 56 International, is back in training to attempt winning a second Ascot Cup. . . . Delaware has six courses, not four, as we had thought. They are the main track, chase course, hurdles course, turf course, five-furlorig training track and steeplechase schooling course. . . . Willie Hartack plans a brief vacation. . . . Jimmy Jones has had one or two races earmarked for Rosewood in recent days. They never got run. . , . Delaware Park has a waiting list for boxes. Some times takes years to obtain one. in! Many applicants money is all tied up cash, too. . . . Jock Barshak of the Helis interests was a visitor. . . . Joe Culmone, at j the top of his form, won with a "fielder" astride Lumpi. Far more polished rider ! than when he disputed the title. Gough Thompsons Chesapeake winner, Inswept looms the-one-to-beat for the week ends Leonard Richards. . . . Lou Cunningham will be hospitalized briefly. . . . The site of this course is much traveled by history. The stone residence at Don Ross Brandywine training quarters dates back to the early 1700s and has an original etching of. Cochise. The place abounded in Indians, the Appoquiminicks, Algonquins and Monchanins. Wampum still is found here, 50,000 worth in the Delaware Handicap. . . . Gil Haus is naming over-nighters, appropriately, for noted race; mares. One the other day was called the Bewitch, for the richest of them, though she ranks only ninth among Delawares "ten greatest American race mares." Difficult to get in foal, Bewitch recently produced her first born, a filly by Needles sire Ponder, at Mrs. Markeys famed Calumet Farm. . . . Floral Park has one mission in life, to emulate her astonishing sister, Flower Bowlt in the Delaware Handicap. . . . Weights are due five days before the race, renewed June 29. . . . Walter Jeffords was here to see Ram run. . . . Delaware patrons are no weaklings. Replete with Stevenses formidable steaks and malted milks, they do not even notice there are no escalators.
